O'Brien to replace Leno in 2009 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Schwan · 09-27-2004, 12:51 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/0....ap/index.html

Quote:

O'Brien to succeed Leno at 'Tonight Show' in 2009
Monday, September 27, 2004 Posted: 2:30 PM EDT (1830 GMT)

NEW YORK (AP) -- NBC announced Monday that Conan O'Brien will take over from Jay Leno as host of the "Tonight" show. But he'll have time to write his jokes -- the planned succession won't happen until 2009.

The announcement solves a delicate problem for NBC, which realized O'Brien was getting antsy in his "Late Night" time slot (12:35 a.m. Eastern) and wanted to keep him from jumping to another network.

Leno planned to make the announcement on Monday's edition of "Tonight," a special celebration of the talk show's 50th anniversary.

"In 2009, I'll be 59 years old and will have had this dream job for 17 years," Leno said. "When I signed my new contract, I felt that the timing was right to plan for my successor and there is no one more qualified than Conan."

"Plus, I promised Mavis I would take her out for dinner before I turned 60," the notoriously workaholic Leno said about his wife.

Leno took over from Johnny Carson on "Tonight" in 1992 and after a few years of trailing the man he beat out for the job in the ratings -- David Letterman -- he passed the CBS star and has been dominant in the time slot.

An unknown at the time, O'Brien had the thankless job of taking over from Letterman on "Late Night," and he was nearly fired after several weeks of painful shows. But he recovered and has been a critical and commercial success.

But O'Brien has openly talked about wanting to move on and, in the late-night world, that means an earlier time slot.

I'm a huge fan of Conan's work, even though I live half a world away. I've always liked Leno too, but a few years ago I stopped watching the Tonight Show for whatever reason. I can't really say what these guys will be like in five years, but I feel that O'Brien doesn't fit the Carson-Leno scheme as the third link. I also think that's a good thing. I think it will be very interesting to see how O'Brien will change the face of the Tonight Show. What do you guys think? Can he fill the Tonight Show shoes?

Averett · 09-27-2004, 12:55 PM

Can this be effective immediately? Leno bores me.

I love Conan. I love him ever so much. But I hope NBC/The Tonight Show will allow him to continue doing the show just as he does now. I hope he doesn't have to lose his great bits, or continue on with Leno's tired "Jaywalking" and other bits.

Conan is comedy gold.

Fremen · 09-27-2004, 01:30 PM

Conan's the cool-cat. He'll do a great job.

Damn I'm getting old...

Draconis · 09-27-2004, 01:38 PM

Conan = Aztec God of Comedy
Think about it.

carrot glace · 09-27-2004, 03:19 PM

conan should do well he's built up lots of experience now he's ready to level up 'in 2009 of course'

Willravel · 09-27-2004, 04:08 PM

I agree that it should happen sooner. I'd like to see Conan earlier so i can finally start getting to work on time.

Stare At The Sun · 09-27-2004, 04:09 PM

Good news indeed. Conan really is a great host.

mosha · 09-27-2004, 04:30 PM

Leno isn't even funny. I think Conan will be 100% better I just hope they dont try to change him too much. If he keeps doing those interviews with martha stewart and arnold on the TV screen i'll keeping laughing my ass off.

Jeff · 09-27-2004, 06:52 PM

Conan's great. Maybe Andy'll come back too.

guthmund · 09-28-2004, 11:39 AM

Five years?!?

Leno's act is tired. I only hope that when Conan eventually takes over they don't make him tone down his stuff for the earlier audience.

KellyC · 09-28-2004, 02:39 PM

Damn...talk about early announcement. I agree with Averett 1000000000000%, it should be NOW dammit!!

Conan deserves more props for what he does.

zoltan · 09-28-2004, 03:12 PM

why so long? i like o'brian more but leno aint bad. but i think they will both be washed up by then IMO

Mephisto2 · 09-28-2004, 03:40 PM

Conan is funny.

Must be that quirky Irish sense of humour.

I read somewhere that he used to write for the Simpsons? Is that right, or am I losing my marbles?..

Mr Mephisto

matteo101 · 09-28-2004, 04:01 PM

Mr Mephisto, yes he did write for the simpsons.

I cant wait five more years, well I guess im still young, I can stay up late to watch him.

mattevil · 09-28-2004, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

Conan is funny.

Must be that quirky Irish sense of humour.

I read somewhere that he used to write for the Simpsons? Is that right, or am I losing my marbles?..

Mr Mephisto

he did in fact he's on the dvd commentary for the monorail episode

costello · 09-28-2004, 11:49 PM

god thats the best news ive heard all month. i love cone-zee. i have a reason to watch tv again besides daily show.

wordssmith22 · 09-29-2004, 03:08 PM

i heard the reason this announcement is being made now is because conan's contract with nbc is up by the end of this year, so they want to make the offer now to get him to stay and not move to cbs after letterman or whatever.

though it would be nice to have conan start sooner, let leno go out when he wants to, i think he deserves that.

meepa · 09-29-2004, 05:53 PM

Bring Conan in now. Leno rarely makes me do more than smile while Conan actually makes me laugh out loud! I don't even bother with the Tonight Show.

SecretMethod70 · 09-29-2004, 06:35 PM

Leno sucks, and he always has sucked. As others have said, Conan should replace him NOW. Conan and Letterman - then I'd actually have to think about who to watch at night.

tspikes51 · 09-30-2004, 11:02 AM

Conan is the best night show host out there... can't wait for 2009.

ChrisJericho · 09-30-2004, 12:41 PM

Definitely get Conan in there as soon as possible. During the 50th anniversary special they were showing some of Leno's stuff from back in the 70's, he wasn't funny then and he still isn't funny now. It's going to feel weird actually laughing during the 11:30-12:30 time slot.

THE CONE ZONE GOES PRIMETIME

Fremen · 09-30-2004, 02:34 PM

I, for one, think Leno is a funny man.
I think all 5 top talk show hosts are funny men, in their own way.
~Letterman, Kilborn, Stewart, Leno and O'brien~ (no particular order)
I also don't think you have to limit yourself in your comedic tastes.

K-Wise · 09-30-2004, 05:59 PM

Ya guys see where he announced it on his show? Said he was terribly honored and that Jay Leno has always been a big supporter of him, etc. He seemed genuinely grateful. But he also said theres still a lot more things he wants to do with his show. Now by saying that does that imply that he's going to do things a lot differently when he begins hosting the Tonight Show? One thing I noticed about the 2 is when the guests come on Jay asks the obvious questions and gets the answers, Conan might get to ask one or 2 cause he asks them and then they go off topic or start ranting on with a lot funny shit. He really brings the funny out of people. I really like that about him.

Asta!!

DonnieBoy · 09-30-2004, 09:15 PM

I dunno alot can happen in 5 years.... if I remember correctly they announced that David Letterman was getting Johnny Carsons gig but then they go with Jay Leno... I wonder if Conan will really move on to the tonight show... I wish him well though He is hillarious...

DB

and the best thing about the Tonight Show now is Kevin Ubanks (sp) he cracks me up

DB

mattevil · 10-02-2004, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnieBoy

I dunno alot can happen in 5 years.... if I remember correctly they announced that David Letterman was getting Johnny Carsons gig but then they go with Jay Leno... I wonder if Conan will really move on to the tonight show... I wish him well though He is hillarious...

DB

and the best thing about the Tonight Show now is Kevin Ubanks (sp) he cracks me up

DB

that brings an intresting question up just who is the band going to be?
will eubanks stay? will they get a new band? or will conan migrate the max weinberg 7 to the tonight show.

K-Wise · 10-02-2004, 01:42 PM

^ Thats actually a good fuckin question.

Asta!!

pacaveli · 10-02-2004, 03:58 PM

Connans show is the best late night show IMO, it'll be good to see him earlier, i miss his show sumtiems cuz i fall asleep

cjayemail · 10-04-2004, 05:17 PM

conan is my favorite talk show host, im really hyped about that

1slOwCD8 · 10-17-2004, 02:29 PM

I think Conan is great and watch Late night all the time, but i think it will be weird. The tonight show and late night have different feels. tonight show is more serious than late night. i just hope Conan doesnt change his act with his string dance and impersonations. Conan is much more funny than leno, in more of his stupid voices and side comments than actual jokes.

Tralls · 10-18-2004, 07:21 AM

Yeah I am definitely excited abou that. I am still upset that Leno basically stole the show from under Letterman's nose, b/c Letterman had too much respect for Carson to try and push him into retirement even though it was known Letterman would take it over soon thereafter.

wrongfullyaccuzd · 10-18-2004, 07:59 PM

I like Leno better than Conan. Leno is good with the monologue, bits, and interviews. I'll admit Conan is pretty much unmatched when it comes to the interviews, he is terrific there, but his monologues and especially the bits rarely make me crack a smile.

I think they should have brought Jon Stewart to take over for Leno. He is a funny funny man.

ThatOnePerson · 10-23-2004, 01:34 AM

2009... how bout 2005! Conan is a great writer and he is just damned funny!!!

ThatOnePerson · 10-23-2004, 01:35 AM

also,Jon stewart MUST stay on daily show!!!! other wise i will never get my
(mis)information!

mused76 · 10-23-2004, 05:36 AM

I don't care for Conan - all's he does is put himself down in front of every guest that comes on his show. Check it out for yourself. Couldn't they have found someone better?

coash · 10-23-2004, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mused76

I don't care for Conan - all's he does is put himself down in front of every guest that comes on his show. Check it out for yourself. Couldn't they have found someone better?

yeah you

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.
FFS

Stompy · 10-23-2004, 09:03 PM

Leno's jokes are lame, IMO.

I could see how OLDER people would think he's funny, kinda like how they thought Carson was funny, but his jokes are cheesy. The kinda cheesy one-liners that your grandpa/uncle would give to try and get a quick laugh, but nothing really interesting or laugh out loud funny... O'Brien is one our generation's funny men (amongst others, such as Will Ferrell) and can do that quite a bit. There isn't a single show of his where I'm not laughin my ass off.

Skitz with Andy Blitz are the BEST. Holy shit is that guy hilarious... the masturbating bear is great. Preparation-H Raymond... Frankenstein... all great.

His show has some very odd and twisted humor... and I LOVE it. It's perfect.

Cactus Chef playing "We didn't start the fire" on flute! That was some amazing stuff right there.

HeLLVieW96 · 10-26-2004, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Averett

Can this be effective immediately? Leno bores me.

I love Conan. I love him ever so much. But I hope NBC/The Tonight Show will allow him to continue doing the show just as he does now. I hope he doesn't have to lose his great bits, or continue on with Leno's tired "Jaywalking" and other bits.

Conan is comedy gold.

My thoughts EXACTLY. get rid of leno NOW. and let Conan do his regular stuff, dont make him change!

09-27-2004, 12:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Can this be effective immediately? Leno bores me. I love Conan. I love him ever so much. But I hope NBC/The Tonight Show will allow him to continue doing the show just as he does now. I hope he doesn't have to lose his great bits, or continue on with Leno's tired "Jaywalking" and other bits. Conan is comedy gold. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

09-27-2004, 01:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	Conan's the cool-cat. He'll do a great job. Damn I'm getting old... __________________ Google

09-27-2004, 01:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Draconis Insane Location: Normandy, June of '44	Conan = Aztec God of Comedy Think about it. __________________ STEVE MCKENNA!

09-27-2004, 03:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
carrot glace Crazy Location: orange county	conan should do well he's built up lots of experience now he's ready to level up 'in 2009 of course' __________________ "blaine is a pain and that is the truth"

09-27-2004, 06:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jeff And we'll all float on ok... Location: Iowa City	Conan's great. Maybe Andy'll come back too. __________________ For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can't readily accept the God formula, the big answers don't remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command or faith a dictum. I am my own God. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us. --Charles Bukowski

09-27-2004, 04:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I agree that it should happen sooner. I'd like to see Conan earlier so i can finally start getting to work on time.

09-27-2004, 04:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Somewhere over the rainbow	Good news indeed. Conan really is a great host.

09-27-2004, 04:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
mosha Crazy Location: Htown, NJ	Leno isn't even funny. I think Conan will be 100% better I just hope they dont try to change him too much. If he keeps doing those interviews with martha stewart and arnold on the TV screen i'll keeping laughing my ass off.

09-28-2004, 11:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	Five years?!? Leno's act is tired. I only hope that when Conan eventually takes over they don't make him tone down his stuff for the earlier audience. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously.

09-28-2004, 02:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	Damn...talk about early announcement. I agree with Averett 1000000000000%, it should be NOW dammit!! Conan deserves more props for what he does. __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

09-28-2004, 03:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
zoltan Banned	why so long? i like o'brian more but leno aint bad. but i think they will both be washed up by then IMO

09-28-2004, 03:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Conan is funny. Must be that quirky Irish sense of humour. I read somewhere that he used to write for the Simpsons? Is that right, or am I losing my marbles?.. Mr Mephisto

09-28-2004, 04:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
matteo101 In transition Location: north, no south abit, over to the right, getting warmer...there!	Mr Mephisto, yes he did write for the simpsons. I cant wait five more years, well I guess im still young, I can stay up late to watch him.

09-28-2004, 11:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
costello Insane Location: Tucson	god thats the best news ive heard all month. i love cone-zee. i have a reason to watch tv again besides daily show. __________________ "They don't even know what it is to be a fan. Y'know? To truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it hurts." -Almost Famous

09-29-2004, 03:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
wordssmith22 Crazy	i heard the reason this announcement is being made now is because conan's contract with nbc is up by the end of this year, so they want to make the offer now to get him to stay and not move to cbs after letterman or whatever. though it would be nice to have conan start sooner, let leno go out when he wants to, i think he deserves that.

10-02-2004, 01:42 PM	#26 (permalink)
K-Wise It's All About The Ass!! Location: In a pool of mayonnaise!!	^ Thats actually a good fuckin question. Asta!! __________________ "I love music and it's my parents fault (closing statement)." - Me..quoting myself...from when I said that...On TFP..thats here...Tilted Forum Project *It ain't goodbye, it's see ya later! I'll miss you guys!* - Asta!!

09-29-2004, 05:53 PM	#18 (permalink)
meepa Insane	Bring Conan in now. Leno rarely makes me do more than smile while Conan actually makes me laugh out loud! I don't even bother with the Tonight Show.

09-29-2004, 06:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Leno sucks, and he always has sucked. As others have said, Conan should replace him NOW. Conan and Letterman - then I'd actually have to think about who to watch at night. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

09-30-2004, 11:02 AM	#20 (permalink)
tspikes51 Fuckin' A Location: Lex Vegas	Conan is the best night show host out there... can't wait for 2009. __________________ "I'm telling you, we need to get rid of a few people or a million." -Maddox

09-30-2004, 12:41 PM	#21 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	Definitely get Conan in there as soon as possible. During the 50th anniversary special they were showing some of Leno's stuff from back in the 70's, he wasn't funny then and he still isn't funny now. It's going to feel weird actually laughing during the 11:30-12:30 time slot. THE CONE ZONE GOES PRIMETIME __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

09-30-2004, 02:34 PM	#22 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	I, for one, think Leno is a funny man. I think all 5 top talk show hosts are funny men, in their own way. ~Letterman, Kilborn, Stewart, Leno and O'brien~ (no particular order) I also don't think you have to limit yourself in your comedic tastes. __________________ Google

09-30-2004, 05:59 PM	#23 (permalink)
K-Wise It's All About The Ass!! Location: In a pool of mayonnaise!!	Ya guys see where he announced it on his show? Said he was terribly honored and that Jay Leno has always been a big supporter of him, etc. He seemed genuinely grateful. But he also said theres still a lot more things he wants to do with his show. Now by saying that does that imply that he's going to do things a lot differently when he begins hosting the Tonight Show? One thing I noticed about the 2 is when the guests come on Jay asks the obvious questions and gets the answers, Conan might get to ask one or 2 cause he asks them and then they go off topic or start ranting on with a lot funny shit. He really brings the funny out of people. I really like that about him. Asta!! __________________ "I love music and it's my parents fault (closing statement)." - Me..quoting myself...from when I said that...On TFP..thats here...Tilted Forum Project *It ain't goodbye, it's see ya later! I'll miss you guys!* - Asta!!

09-30-2004, 09:15 PM	#24 (permalink)
DonnieBoy Insane	I dunno alot can happen in 5 years.... if I remember correctly they announced that David Letterman was getting Johnny Carsons gig but then they go with Jay Leno... I wonder if Conan will really move on to the tonight show... I wish him well though He is hillarious... DB and the best thing about the Tonight Show now is Kevin Ubanks (sp) he cracks me up DB

10-02-2004, 03:58 PM	#27 (permalink)
pacaveli Psycho Location: MD	Connans show is the best late night show IMO, it'll be good to see him earlier, i miss his show sumtiems cuz i fall asleep

10-04-2004, 05:17 PM	#28 (permalink)
cjayemail Tilted Location: south florida	conan is my favorite talk show host, im really hyped about that __________________ never underestimate the predictability of stupidity

10-17-2004, 02:29 PM	#29 (permalink)
1slOwCD8 Psycho Location: chicago, illinois	I think Conan is great and watch Late night all the time, but i think it will be weird. The tonight show and late night have different feels. tonight show is more serious than late night. i just hope Conan doesnt change his act with his string dance and impersonations. Conan is much more funny than leno, in more of his stupid voices and side comments than actual jokes.

10-18-2004, 07:21 AM	#30 (permalink)
Tralls Crazy	Yeah I am definitely excited abou that. I am still upset that Leno basically stole the show from under Letterman's nose, b/c Letterman had too much respect for Carson to try and push him into retirement even though it was known Letterman would take it over soon thereafter.

10-18-2004, 07:59 PM	#31 (permalink)
wrongfullyaccuzd Addict Location: NoVA	I like Leno better than Conan. Leno is good with the monologue, bits, and interviews. I'll admit Conan is pretty much unmatched when it comes to the interviews, he is terrific there, but his monologues and especially the bits rarely make me crack a smile. I think they should have brought Jon Stewart to take over for Leno. He is a funny funny man.

10-23-2004, 01:34 AM	#32 (permalink)
ThatOnePerson Upright Location: USA	2009... how bout 2005! Conan is a great writer and he is just damned funny!!! __________________ I don't like long signatures.

10-23-2004, 01:35 AM	#33 (permalink)
ThatOnePerson Upright Location: USA	also,Jon stewart MUST stay on daily show!!!! other wise i will never get my (mis)information! __________________ I don't like long signatures.

10-23-2004, 05:36 AM	#34 (permalink)
mused76 Crazy Location: NE Ohio	I don't care for Conan - all's he does is put himself down in front of every guest that comes on his show. Check it out for yourself. Couldn't they have found someone better?

10-23-2004, 09:03 PM	#36 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	Leno's jokes are lame, IMO. I could see how OLDER people would think he's funny, kinda like how they thought Carson was funny, but his jokes are cheesy. The kinda cheesy one-liners that your grandpa/uncle would give to try and get a quick laugh, but nothing really interesting or laugh out loud funny... O'Brien is one our generation's funny men (amongst others, such as Will Ferrell) and can do that quite a bit. There isn't a single show of his where I'm not laughin my ass off. Skitz with Andy Blitz are the BEST. Holy shit is that guy hilarious... the masturbating bear is great. Preparation-H Raymond... Frankenstein... all great. His show has some very odd and twisted humor... and I LOVE it. It's perfect. Cactus Chef playing "We didn't start the fire" on flute! That was some amazing stuff right there. __________________ I love lamp.