In the year two-thousand, in the year two-thousand and ten, the rumors are flying around following a meeting between NBC executives, Conan O’Brian, and Jay Leno that Leno will return to the 11:30 pm time slot on the Tonight Show. Conan has been unable to rise above David Letterman in that time slot and Leno hasn’t received the ratings expected. Execs think that the two are splitting the viewership rather than adding to them. The big question is, where will Conan go? Well good question, how about Leno at 11:35pm and O’Brian at 12:00? That is what some in the business are saying. Leno will go off on Feb 1st due to the Olympics, chances are the change will take place then.
NBC executives held discussions with both Jay Leno and Conan
Jay Leno to return to Tonight Show
O’Brien Thursday about the future of the network’s late-night lineup. And while executives said that no final decision has been made, they did not deny that the network was considering moves that could include returning Mr. Leno to his old job as host of “The Tonight Show.”
NBC executives said a decision would definitely not be announced Thursday but did not deny a report posted by TMZ that NBC was considering making the switch and replacing Mr. O’Brien at “Tonight” with Mr. Leno.
We’ve learned Jay’s 10:00 PM show will go on hiatus February 1. After the Olympics, Jay will take back his 11:30 PM time slot. What has not been decided — whether Jay’s show will be a half hour, followed by Conan, or whether Jay’s show will be an hour and NBC says sayonara to Mr. O’Brien.
We’re told Jay and Conan have both been told of the changes. As for Jay, interestingly, he’ll get what he always wanted — his 11:30 PM time slot.
NBC executives held discussions with both Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien Thursday about the future of the network’s late-night lineup. And while executives said that no final decision has been made, they did not deny that the network was considering moves that could include returning Mr. Leno to his old job as host of “The Tonight Show.”
Mr. O’Brien…has trailed the CBS late-night star David Letterman by about two million viewers a night. Mr. Leno had easily been the winner in that time period previously.
If Mr. Leno does return to his old slot, there is some question about what will happen with Mr. O’Brien. He had been recruited by other networks in the past but how his contract may be resolved and how his experience at “Tonight” may affect his future prospects are unknown.
The chatter on Twitter tonight is quite telling. People in the TV Business are chatting about the return of Leno rather than denying it as one would expect if the story was unfounded. This leads us to believe that there is merit to our speculation.
