It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

ay's walking off prime time.

Confirming days of rumors, Jeff Gaspin, the chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment, on Sunday announced that starting Feb. 12, The Jay Leno Show will no longer air at 10 p.m. but that the network hoped to keep Leno for an 11:35 p.m. show, Conan O'Brien for 12:05 p.m. and then Jimmy Fallon after that.

But, Gaspin adds, "It's not a done deal yet."

Gaspin admits that The Jay Leno Show "did not meet affiliate needs" but that through it all, Leno and O'Brien have been "incredibly gracious and professional."

"Beyond that is a private conversation and when it all settles, you can talk to them about that," Gaspin says. "We're back in conversation tomorrow."

When asked why O'Brien would choose to remain at NBC with other networks interested in him, Gaspin says, "Conan's motivation will become more clear as time goes on. We gave something important to him, which was The Tonight Show, made it clear that it was moving with him. Conan wanted the franchise of The Tonight Show; Jay wanted to tell jokes at 11:30. Still things [need] to be worked out."

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

I really hate that they are shifting everyone around again for him.

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

so what exactly was the purpose of changing it all at the beginning?

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Ug, Conan is so much funnier than Leno and I am really pizzed off that NBC is pushing Conan around for Jay Leno. He bombed, face it. He'll bomb again at 11:30.

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Leno is so not funny!

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

This is beyond a headache. I work in media sales. Oh vey, but I'm glad they are changing. I represent several NBC affiliates that did greatly suffer because of Leno in primetime. Hopefully NBC will be smart and put some quality 10PM prime in place. They have to. You guys have no idea how much money was lost towards the local affiliates. Its so sad NBC did this in the first place. All to avoid Leno from going to ABC latenight AND to save network dollars.

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Conan is hysterical and I think he's doing a great job on the Tonight Show, it would be a shame if this changed because Jay Leno isn't doing as well as they thought he would.

Maybe it's just that Conan is back with Andy. I think they are so much funnier together!

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

I think everyone here is focusing on "Leno's not funny". This isn't truely the reason folks. Leno was #1 in the Tonight Show spot always outdelivering Letterman. Sadly Conan in the Tonight Show slot has also suffered (his audience is too "young" for the TP).

Leno was "tanking" more due to the 10PM TP which is normally dramas and instead of being up against other Late Fringe programming, he is now head-to-head with dramas mainly on CBS. CBS's 10PM slot took the lacking NBC's audience, with slight help from ABC at 10PM.

Their plan is to have:
NBC
10PM-dramas
11PM-1135PM-local late news
1135p-1205a-Leno Show (only a half hour
1205-105a-Conan
105-on-Fallon (still not confirmed)

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

I don't understand what Jay Leno would do in 1/2 an hour.. makes no sense to me. By the time he gets started, the show will be over!

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Kerry, since NBC took off 10pm prime time show (drama,comedy etc) I have NOT watched NBC much and never watched Leno in that time slot, although I like him. It sure does impact revenues and affiates!

Message edited 1/11/2010 2:54:16 PM.

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Oh Jay, you've got enough money - retire. Let Conan take over and call it a day! C'mon now.

Re: It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Yeah what is he going to do in only 1/2 hour??? I watch Jay when there is nothing else on. I'll miss it. I think he's fairly funny, but I like his bits better than his routine.