It's finally official: Jay Leno's days are numbered.
NBC just announced that the current host of "The Tonight Show" will be airing his final episode on May 29, 2009. The network is putting him on mandatory retirement as part of a plan to retool their late night line-up.
Current host of NBC's "Late Night" Conan O'Brien will ascend to the late night throne, seizing the coveted 11:30 p.m. slot June 1, while Conan's former slot will be filled by talk show newcomer and funnyman Jimmy Fallon. Fallon will take the reins sometime in spring after a test run that will be broadcast online.
You need to try him out online? I've always seen Fallon as hit or miss, but if you don't have enough faith in him to put him in the chair and say "Go!", then maybe he's not you man...
In any case, reports have said that Leno is (understandably) disgruntled about this whole situation and may be eyeing a spot over at the Mouse network (ABC), current home to Jimmy Kimmel Live! It'll be interesting to see what happens when all this goes down: NBC shifts they're entire late night line-up, ABC may shift theirs to accomodate Leno and CBS may have to come up with some sort of response to the whole mess.
Sorry, but I think Leno's fine where he is for now. He still has good, solid ratings and obviously enjoys what he's doing. While I tend to lean more towards O'Brien's comic style, he's fine where he is for now and will take the plum time slot eventually. Let Jay do what he does best and stop screwing around with one of your big guns, NBC!
What do you think? Is Leno still up to par? Should he be put out to pasture? Are O'Brien and Fallon up to the challenge? Please, discuss!
- Jason
Hey Hollywood suits!
I've watched Jay for his 17 years and will miss him. I WILL NOT ever watch Conan. Ever !
It's not that I don't like him, it's his style. of being too silly.
Jay is witty, Conan - weill, kinda childish. I WILL watch Jimmy Falon. I will probably migrate to Jimmy Kimbell or Craig Fergeson.
You've made a bad decision with Conan -
He'll be like Katie Couric, low ratings .
This will be the obituary for The Tonight Show in my opinion.
So sad!
Posted by: slymtry | July 22, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Jay Leno is one lucky pedestrian of comedians. How he secured the Tonight Show is beyond belief.
His humor is so pathetic and armature in delivery. No timing, no class, no etiquette.
Leno brings new meaning to a real no-talent frump in a Armani suit.
Posted by: Los Angeles Critic | July 22, 2008 at 02:05 AM
I haven't watched Leno much
in a long while. I usually flip
between Letterman and Kimmel.
I never really got into O'Brien's
show, and think his tenure on
the Tonight show will be average
at best.
Posted by: Neil | July 22, 2008 at 11:20 AM
With the addition of cable tv in the 80's late night tv shows are dying a slow death. Leno was good in taking over for Carson years ago, but his act is thin. I've never thought much of O'Brien or Kimmell. The very fact that Kimmell has a show tells you how far the bar has lowered in this once prominant tv slot.
Posted by: JDee | July 27, 2008 at 11:58 PM