NBC ZUCKERED: Dave Tops ‘Tonight Show’ for 2 Straight Weeks (First Time Since 1998); Demo Gap With Conan Shrinking

COMMENTS (32)

• Here’s another scenario. Leno doesn’t do well at 10:00 PM. They move the “The Jay Leno Show” to 11:35, and then move Conan’s show, keeping the Tonight Show name to 12:35. That’s a possible way NBC avoids whatever huge penalty Conan’s contract may have, if any. They have a fixed cost in Conan’s contract and that studio. Conan has been successful at 12:35, so while it would be too big a budget at that timeslot, it would cheaper to just buy out Fallon than a Conan. Again I’m just throwing that out there. We are missing important data, on how Jay will do at 10:00 PM.

  Comment by Danny — Friday July 24, 2009 @ 2:46am PDT  Reply to this post

• You think Conan’s show has issues – wait to you see the mess brewing at NBC Burbank Studio 11 – the new home of “The Jay Leno Show”.

  Jay hosting is not the issue -

  The Tonight Show didn’t get one Emmy nomination this year and now Zucker thinks they are funny/talented/creative enough for 5 nights of Prime Time?

  Comment by Good Call Jeff — Friday July 24, 2009 @ 2:02pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Paula,

  Thanks for the laugh. Only a retard would thing Ferguson’s a genius. I can’t imagine how fabulously unfunny you are to not only hold such an opinion, but to shout it from the top of your lungs.

  You, my dear, are a moron.

  Comment by Inside Poop — Saturday July 25, 2009 @ 3:30pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Inside Poop is totally clueless. Ferguson’s show is not an embarrassment to CBS at all. Apparently you’re harboring some grudge for Craig the rest of us don’t know about. Regardless of the reason, do yourself a favor and when you call someone a “retard”, at least spell the words in that SAME sentence correctly (something someone who’s NOT retarded should be capable of doing).

  I share Paula’s opinion. He’s the funniest guy on late night TV.

  And Paula, I think it’s a mistake to assume CBS isn’t supporting Ferguson. Just because you’re not hearing public announcements about the Studio’s support of Ferguson doesn’t mean he’s not appreciated and being supported privately. Despite what some are writing here, the buzz about Ferguson continues to grow, and I think the Studio recognizes his growing value. I’ll bet we see more of him as Dave eventually considers retirement.

  Comment by JT — Monday July 27, 2009 @ 12:43pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Conan bites…

  Comment by sas — Thursday August 6, 2009 @ 9:18pm PDT  Reply to this post

• ferguson is very funny, likable, and charismatic.
  leno was the perfect 11:30 guy — Tonight Show was always a father/son watch, clean, and also put older folks to sleep with a warm feeling, a smile.

  it has gotten way too profane. conan i notice is getting less profane — but he has to let his guests know: no more mention of “pussy” or whatever else they say with impunity.

  andy is fine — he is doing yeoman like work in a tough position on the show…second fiddle, off camera, head cheerleader…

  Comment by todd — Friday August 7, 2009 @ 9:50am PDT  Reply to this post

• Here’s the problem:
  Conan is not funny.
  Jay is.
  Can’t wait till Jay is back on/

  Comment by Kay — Tuesday August 11, 2009 @ 11:38pm PDT  Reply to this post