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Holy crap! NBC cancels 10pm!

post #1 of 96
12/8/08 at 10:58pm
Thread Starter 
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/CA6620935.html

That's insane.

Leno on Mon-Fri at 10pm. No Saturday programming. Football on Sundays half the year. And in all likelihood, the networks abandon Fridays in the next 5 years.

KNIGHT RIDER proved they hate scripted drama, but this seems extreme!
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post #2 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:03pm
Just when I thought we were finally rid of Leno...
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post #3 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:06pm
Wow, that is crazy. Two hours of prime-time during the week, and that's it. The most adult of their scripted programming will have to start at 9 EST.

Definitely a surprise. My mom will be happy about Leno sticking around AND being on earlier...
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post #4 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:09pm
Jesus fucking christ, why more Leno?

Fuck you, NBC.
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post #5 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:13pm
How bad have they been doing that they would give up on so much time? And can this in any way negatively affect 30 Rock?
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post #6 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:14pm
Creatively-speaking, this is perhaps one of the worst ideas in television history. Certainly since COP ROCK.

Beyond my hopes of never seeing Leno on TV again being dashed, this eats into all kinds of other programming I'd rather have, not to mention stealing Conan's thunder in his well-earned Tonight Show slot.

Why can't Leno just limp off into the sunset with live gigs, as he began and as he continues to do? Build him an auditorium at the Wynn in Las Vegas and watch the bluehairs swarm.
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post #7 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:18pm
Six years ago this would have been annoying because it would have meant fewer shows on the air, thus less of a chance for good shows to make it onto the schedule. But with so much great stuff now on cable, pay cable and the Net ... who cares? Fuck NBC.

Keep in mind, however, I'm not saying the new Leno show specifically will tank. It will likely perform better than most of the garbage currently clogging up NBC airwaves at 10 p.m. But the move does signify that the network has given up on trying to find a LOST or DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES-type hit. They're throwing in the towel on being a broadcaster of fine drama.
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post #8 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:29pm
Thread Starter 
This means FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is dead. CHUCK and LIFE are almost certainly dead. It doesn't matter whether the shows air at 10pm, NBC trimming their primetime lineup by 5 hours is going to kill shows left and right. When NBC rolls out new pilots next year, and LAW AND ORDER moves to a 9pm slot, it's going to be bloody.
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post #9 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:32pm
wow, fuck you mr. o'brien, huh?
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post #10 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:34pm
Yeah, Life is pretty much a goner. That sucks.

And I thought Leno was retiring or something, not possibly negotiating going to ABC as the article mentions.
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post #11 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:36pm
The one possible good thing to come from this is that perhaps with Leno still on and before Conan, maybe they won't make Conan tone down his material as much as they previously were going to. Though seeing as how it's more of a time slot/audience issue, it's probably not very likely. Really just wishful thinking.
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post #12 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:41pm
NBC just became Fox.
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post #13 of 96
12/8/08 at 11:51pm
If I were Conan I would be absolutely livid.
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post #14 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:13am
No more Life = no more NBC for me.
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post #15 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lordelsey View Post
NBC just became Fox.
That's an unfair comparison. People actually watch Fox.
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post #16 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:23am
Yeah, FNL is dead now.* I suppose it could do gangbusters when it comes back/they show the Direct TV ratings, but this is NBC's way of keeping Leno -- who really, really, really, really didn't want to leave the Tonight Show -- and Conan -- who really, really, really, really didn't want to keep doing the midnight show for much longer -- happy. (Although with Conan, I doubt it.) The last thing NBC needed was to have Leno jump ship to, say, ABC and kick their ass in late night, which is one of the few areas they're strong in.

I can't recommend "Desperate Networks" more to those interested in finding out the story behind the first Leno/Conan switch-off, as well as learning the reasons why NBC is so thoroughly and totally fucked these days.

*Which, as much as this sucks, gives Kitsch and Palicki and Jesse Plemons more options in their potential film careers.
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post #17 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:41am
EDIT: Oops. I was thinking of something else.
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post #18 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:48am
Excellent. Now I can ignore Leno 90 minutes earlier every night!
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post #19 of 96
12/9/08 at 1:55am
Wasn't Leno the dip shit who announced his retirement four years in advance forcing NBC to enter the contract with Conan? Why NBC plays ball with him is amazing.
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post #20 of 96
12/9/08 at 2:03am
NBC basically forced Leno into that. They didn't want a repeat of when Carson left, and they also wanted to keep Conan from jumping ship. Not only is this in Desperate Networks, but it's slowly come out over the past four years that Leno was deeply, deeply unhappy about the whole thing. Say what you want about the man's talent, but he's a workaholic and he doesn't want to quit yet. I can't really fault NBC for trying to keep him, because he'd pretty obviously kick the shit out of Conan and Dave on another network. (There was talk he was going to steal Kimmell's show.)
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post #21 of 96
12/9/08 at 2:06am
** EDIT** ^^ what he said^^

I too would be very pissed if I were Conan.
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post #22 of 96
12/9/08 at 2:38am
I'm still kind of mystified that the country that elected Barack Obama as President of the United States prefers Leno over Letterman, Conan, Kimmel or Ferguson as King of Late Night.
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post #23 of 96
12/9/08 at 2:40am
This sucks. I had it earmarked on my calendar when Conan would take over Tonight Show and I'd start watching it again.
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post #24 of 96
12/9/08 at 2:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Litmus Configuration View Post
I'm still kind of mystified that the country that elected Barack Obama as President of the United States prefers Leno over Letterman, Conan, Kimmel or Ferguson as King of Late Night.
Yep. Leno is fine, but nowhere near the best or most interesting of that group.
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post #25 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:20am
The truth is, NBC was having trouble finding 3 hours worth of programming to show every night. IF Leno gets decent ratings, it'll give them time to figure out how to make and market a show a large number of people will actually like.
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post #26 of 96
12/9/08 at 11:13am
If anything, this decision further proves NBC is in deep shit and trying their damnest to maintain (some) stability in the ratings-war. Hell, I just read earlier this morning that even their numbers for football are going down(!?!)

30 Rock, The Office and Law & Order are obviously safe, and for some reason, I imagine Chuck will be too.
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post #27 of 96
12/9/08 at 11:38am
With so many choices these days on cable, the traditional networks are doomed. That being said, this move is a major step backwards for a former ratings giant like NBC. Truly, the Cosby network is dead.

I was a huge fan of Leno from the days when he would come on Dave's NBC show. But he's been unwatchable since he had his own show. That whirring sound you hear is Johnny Carson spinning in his grave.
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post #28 of 96
12/9/08 at 11:51am
Let's not forget the cost factor. Despite Leno's fat contract, the show will still be incredibly cheap to produce, at least when compared to most hour-long dramas. So NBC will get an unspectacular yet steady ratings performer five nights a week without having to blow a bunch of money on failed pilots and failed series (two things NBC excels at).

I would love for CHUCK to return for a third season, but there's no way it's coming back with its current ratings. Best you can hope for is some ratings improvement in the second half (doubtful) and a disastrous development season from NBC (more likely) -- in which case, they might consider it.

With SCRUBS elsewhere and CHUCK canceled, I'll be down to just THE OFFICE and 30 ROCK on this network.
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post #29 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:14pm
So I wonder if this means Conan stays in NYC? or is he still gonna make the move to LA.
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post #30 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:20pm
So if you're a great big celeb with something to shill, who's going to be your first choice for an NBC studio visit? Jay at 10 or Conan at 11:30? It's not just a "stealing his thunder" thing, this is a red hot poker up Conan's ass.
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post #31 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:40pm
I think Chuck has decent demographics. The Conan move to L.A. is an interesting question -- I think he's already looked at, or has bought a house out there -- and he's said for a while that he was planning on moving. This shakes everything up, but I, personally, would love to see the Tonight Show back in New York.
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post #32 of 96
12/9/08 at 12:42pm
I don't trust anyone who prefers Letterman over Leno. Letterman is the definition of unfunny! I only watch his show to hear what his guests have to say but mostly when he tries to be funny I have to mute or change the channel in order to not feel embarrassed on his behalf. It might be a cultural thing cause everyone I know here feels the same way.

But Conan is definitely the best of the bunch!
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post #33 of 96
12/9/08 at 1:03pm
Quote:
I don't trust anyone who prefers Letterman over Leno.
Thanks for making me sad.
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post #34 of 96
12/9/08 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bitches Leave View Post
I don't trust anyone who prefers Letterman over Leno. Letterman is the definition of unfunny! I only watch his show to hear what his guests have to say but mostly when he tries to be funny I have to mute or change the channel in order to not feel embarrassed on his behalf. It might be a cultural thing cause everyone I know here feels the same way.

But Conan is definitely the best of the bunch!
Blasphemy on the first part...Dave is awesome. And agree about Conan, although his act has been changing slowly since the beginning of the year. Not necessaraly in content but in style.
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post #35 of 96
12/9/08 at 1:12pm
Do ABC and CBS keep high-profile stuff away from that time slot now? Or do they go after Leno with everything they've got?
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post #36 of 96
12/9/08 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bitches Leave View Post
I don't trust anyone who prefers Letterman over Leno. Letterman is the definition of unfunny! I only watch his show to hear what his guests have to say but mostly when he tries to be funny I have to mute or change the channel in order to not feel embarrassed on his behalf. It might be a cultural thing cause everyone I know here feels the same way.

But Conan is definitely the best of the bunch!
The Dave "problem" might be a bit of a cultural thing. His sense of humor veers from the cynical and mean to the goofy midwestern at the drop of a hat. For me, coming from the midwest originally, Dave reminds me of my dad in both mannerisms and in his self-conscious goofiness. Unsurprisingly, I've been a Letterman fan since I was a kid, back in the early NBC days.

I also like Car Talk. That style of stupid midwest humor is just what I grew up with.

Conan is amazing too, but I'll always have a soft spot for Dave.
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post #37 of 96
12/9/08 at 1:19pm
Hmm, we just got notified of an NBC primetime programming announcement coming up at 1pm today. Probably details on this.
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post #38 of 96
12/9/08 at 1:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RathBandu View Post
This shakes everything up, but I, personally, would love to see the Tonight Show back in New York.
As would I.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
Do ABC and CBS keep high-profile stuff away from that time slot now? Or do they go after Leno with everything they've got?
I think they almost have to go after Leno with everything they've got. You can't just cede that timeslot.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eyeball Kid View Post
The Dave "problem" might be a bit of a cultural thing. His sense of humor veers from the cynical and mean to the goofy midwestern at the drop of a hat. For me, coming from the midwest originally, Dave reminds me of my dad in both mannerisms and in his self-conscious goofiness. Unsurprisingly, I've been a Letterman fan since I was a kid, back in the early NBC days.

I also like Car Talk. That style of stupid midwest humor is just what I grew up with.

Conan is amazing too, but I'll always have a soft spot for Dave.
The thing I love about Conan and Dave is the self depricating humor. Especially when a joke bombs.

And I just realized...with Leno continuing on...Jay Walking, Jay Walk All Stars and Headlines will never go away.
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post #39 of 96
12/9/08 at 1:41pm
Not surprising, look at the current season on NBC (new shows)..

Crusoe - Canceled
My Own Worst Enemy - Canceled
Knight Rider - Canceled
Lipstick Jungle - Canceled

Kath & Kim succeeded, I guess.

And everything else is down across the board, not to mention last year they announced they were doing something similar to this but they never pulled the trigger due to the writers strike. They were supposed to have a bunch of reality type shows on at the 10 PM hour (or 8 PM hour?) but I think they shot through their load during the strike.

I'm sure Chuck will be safe (maybe moved to a sister network), Heroes? Not so much... no big loss there. I'd also say the office & 30 rock are safe..
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post #40 of 96
12/9/08 at 2:35pm
Anyone know if Carson Daly is sticking around? Are we really going to have 3.5 hours of talk show and only 2 hours of "other"?
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post #41 of 96
12/9/08 at 2:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Vivisector View Post
With so many choices these days on cable, the traditional networks are doomed.
Amen. At least 50% of the shows I watch/DVR are cable shows. Burn Notice, Top Chef, Psych, The Shield (RIP), Dexter. These are all shows I will watch over anything on the networks other than Lost and House. I don't have any problem with Leno moving to 10 if they continue to push the dramas to cable. This week I recorded a new show for the first time in a while b/c it interested me. And what was that? Leverage, yet another cable show.
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post #42 of 96
12/9/08 at 2:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by El Gray View Post
Anyone know if Carson Daly is sticking around? Are we really going to have 3.5 hours of talk show and only 2 hours of "other"?
Don't forget their reality programming!

Biggest Loser, Deal or No Deal, etc....
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post #43 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:05pm
From the press release:

Quote:
Leno will sign off as host of The Tonight Show on May 29, 2009. His new show will showcase many of the features that have made Leno America’s late-night leader for more than a dozen years. Signature elements will include his opening monologue and well-known comedy segments “Headlines,” “Jaywalking” and “Battle of the Jaywalking All-Stars.”
So it sounds like it's basically The Tonight Show in everything but name only. I wonder how Conan feels about this.
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post #44 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:17pm
Not to derail but while Letterman had some great skits. I never cared for him because he veers off on random shit so much things seem to stop dead. I mean Norm McDonald summed him up in that SNL skit "Ya got any gum?"

At least Conan O'Brien keeps things moving and still be able to deviate onto random shit. (S&M Lincoln anyone?)
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post #45 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
I wonder how Conan feels about this.
He's gotta be livid, if it were me I'd be looking for an out so I could go to ABC. They've always seemed more than willing to shit can Nightline and Jimmy Kimmel.

It's really fucked up what they are doing to Conan. Because you know if he struggles in the least bit Leno will be moved in to take over.
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post #46 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:21pm
Yeah, Conan should be pissed.
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post #47 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:32pm
You folks do know that Craig Ferguson destroys all of these guys, right? He's the only one I watch with any regularity.

KATH & KIM won't make it to year two.

I too think it would make sense to move CHUCK to the USA network, although that would probably mean a cut in its budget.
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post #48 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:55pm
Wait.. what does this mean for Dateline (Friday's at 10 PM) ? Is NBC canning their main news show?
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post #49 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zak chase View Post
You folks do know that Craig Ferguson destroys all of these guys, right?
He has his moments and he's better than Kimmel and Leno. But better than Dave, Conan and for the hell of it Stewart and Colbert...not quite.
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post #50 of 96
12/9/08 at 3:57pm
They'll probably move Dateline to 9pm.
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