“If I was treated this way, I would walk.” –Johnny Carson advising David Letterman in The Late Shift
Conan O’Brien released a statement today announcing that he would not do The Tonight Show if it follows Jay Leno:
People of Earth:
In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.
Yours,
Conan
Come on Conan, you don’t have to apologize for that mop on top! But seriously, good for you man! NBC broke a promise to you and you have every right to walk away. But I have to take issue with you about the “legacy” of The Tonight Show – the fact of the matter is it stopped being The Tonight Show when Johnny Carson left. People didn’t refer to it as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, they referred to it as “Leno: That Show When Letterman’s Guests Are Garbage”, and people refer to your show as “Conan”. You believing that you’re continuing the legacy may explain your reticence in bringing back characters like the Masturbating Bear or Preparation H. Raymond, which makes this current situation a blessing in disguise IMO. It’s safe I think now to admit that as far as I was concerned, something was a little off in the six months that you’ve been running the 11:35 ship, but I was willing to give you time. After all, I think we can agree that it took you two years to get the feel for the Late Night show right. And even back then, reportedly NBC had you on a “week to week” basis. Remember? You’re still on the Peacock Network partially because Greg Kinnear decided to focus on a film career. Think about that for a second.
By the way, are there any writing jobs available? Enclosed is my packet of robot jokes.
Love,
Roger
Anyway, another reason why this whole fiasco is a blessing in disguise? Conan has had two of the funniest episodes he’s ever had over the last two nights. After watching these it’s no surprise at all that he said he wants to leave NBC today:
There was a 1923 Douzenberg in my (parking) spot
NBC is going to throw me and Jay in a pit of sharpened sticks. The one who crawls out alive gets to leave NBC and that’s…yeah trust me, that’s an appealing proposition
He got even more animated and clearly bitter last night:
NBC announced they expect to lose $200 million dollars on the Winter Olympics next month. Is it just me or is that story hilarious? Hahaha….LOSE $200 million, for them* that’s a big hit
* Not “us”, but “them”.
I could: Leave television altogether, and work in a classier business with better people, like hardcore porn.
You said I was the only one Mr. O’Brien. You said you wouldn’t replace me. I’m getting screwed here. I won’t be treated like this.
And guess what? Conan is going to be new tonight. You know I’ll be watching.
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