NBC Tries to Boot Conan O'Brien to 12:05 Spot, Internet Catches Fire

01/13/10 10:27am
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posted by Luke Carrell
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Gossip & Entertainment
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In case you haven't heard by now (you are on the internet, after all) or somehow managed to miss reading the headline of this post, NBC has announced plans to push the "Tonight Show" with Conan O'Brien back 30 minutes. Conan responded by stating he would not host the franchise if moved to the 12:05 spot. Speculations about Conan's future at NBC, including his own, have been widely debated since. According to many, NBC's recent prime time ratings slump prompted this most recent move. The 11:35 spot would be filled by a program hosted by recently departed "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, whose recent prime time venture was cancelled after less than 6 months. And then things start to get interesting.

Team Conan, a website dedicated to illuminating the finer points of what the site calls NBC's "egregious error," quickly emerged as the voice for pro-Conanites. Their main talking points center on their claim that Conan is simply a better comedian, the issue of basic playground-style fairness, and the strength of the "Tonight Show" tradition. At press time, the page's Facebook Group had just broken 22,000 members. The #teamconan tag was also one of the most popular on Twitter, before the Haiti relief effort grew to dominate the chart. Good priorities, people. Reposting the Shepard Fairey-esque "I'm With Coco" image has also become a favorite way for fans to show their support.

This isn't the first time NBC has botched the transition between "Tonight Show" hosts. Former "Late Show" host David Letterman certainly hasn't forgotten. A video of his reaction is available here. Very interesting, especially given Letterman's history with Leno and the fact that he has been beating O'Brien in the ratings game. Old beef aside, it seems that comedians by and large are siding with Conan on this one. Jim Gaffagan and Patton Oswalt have been very outspoken on the issue. "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host um, Jimmy Kimmel donned a prosthetic chin and grey wig for an intentionally unfunny episode of his own show in a parody of Leno's signature style. In a show of support, guest Chevy Chase emerged wearing a ginger wig. Zing, indeed. 

All this free press certainly isn't hurting NBC, at least for now. 

Leno has yet to issue a comprehensive response to all that's happened, while O'Brien's address to the People of Earth has drawn praise for its tact. The Team Leno movement has yet to gain any momentum. Generation gap? Well, I'm not gonna say that's not part of it.

Don't think that it's all Leno bashing out there. Many are taking this as an opportunity to vent their frustration with the late night talk show format itself, with "Tonight Show" writer Deon Cole issuing some of the most biting commentary, and on the "Tonight Show" itself, no less. Maybe it is time for a general audit of late night TV. Sure couldn't hurt. May the best comedian win.


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