"People of Earth": Conan O'Brien's awesome takedown of NBC
When he was in his own pitched battle with the NBC executive brain trust back in the 1990s, David Letterman kept it all under wraps. No one knew how desperately he pined for "The Tonight Show," and even though it should have been obvious to the lunkheads in Burbank, it wasn't, and Dave lost out to Jay Leno.
Now, on the verge of being delivered a similar setback — and as NBC is prepared again to hand the valuable 11:35 time slot to Jay Leno — Conan O'Brien is doing the one thing Dave failed to do: Take his case directly to the American public.
Earlier today he published an awesome letter to his fans, his detractors, and all the other inhabitants of this big blue marble. It is written out of a calm, controlled anger at NBC, and it exposes the National Broadcasting Company's mistakes for what they are: an attempt to destroy the grandest program in American TV history for short-term gain.
As brilliant as this letter is, it all but confirms something that Conan-watchers (like me) have been suspecting: NBC did not promise Conan the 11:35 show. It promised him "The Tonight Show" — at whatever time they feel like starting it. If they promised him 11:35, then they'd be in breach of contract right now. But they apparently didn't — so they have him over a barrel. And he is responding the only way he knows how.
I think Joe Adalian is right: This isn't a legal manuever, it's a declaration of a person who feels he's been wronged. It's likely to garner huge sympathy inside and outside Hollywood. ("Such a ballsy — just the way I hoped it would go," was the immediate reaction of "Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence, who brought it up at his TV critics' tour presser on Wednesday.) And that will help him wherever he lands next.
So what did I think of the letter?
Honestly, he had me at "People of Earth." It mentions Jimmy Fallon by name, and David Letterman by name — but not Jay Leno. It lays out his case as forcefully and honestly as he can, but is leavened by both humor and perspective (small children will not die if he doesn't get to keep "The Tonight Show").
What happens now? As I see it, either NBC changes its mind, or NBC graciously lets Conan out of his deal, or Conan sits on the beach. Someone suggested Jay Leno should do "the honorable thing" and step away. But it's not like he started re-desiring the "Tonight Show" last month. He's had seller's remorse for years. He wanted the show back. And now, it appears, he's going to get it. I don't blame him. I thought about it some more and now I've decided Leno deserves as much of the blame as the network does. I blame a broken-down TV network for screwing this all up. NBC should've said no to Jay in 1992. It didn't, but things worked out OK. NBC should've also said no to Jay in 2008. It didn't, and now it's really in a mess.
I discussed Conan's letter with WTOP Radio in Washington this evening. Click the podcast link above to listen. And now, the letter.
People of Earth:
In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.
Yours,
Conan
And this just in:
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN MONOLOGUE: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Hello, my name is Conan O'Brien, and I may soon be available for children's parties.
Welcome to NBC. Where our new slogan is, "No longer just screwing up prime-time."
When I was a little boy, I remember watching "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and thinking "Someday, I'm going to host that show for 7 months."
NBC says they're planning to have the late night situation worked out before the Winter Olympics start. And trust me, when NBC says something - you can take that to the bank!
Reactions:
Justin LeBerge writes:
It's my understanding (based on various reports in media outlets, including yours) that Dave is close to finalizing a contract extension. Presumably that means he hasn't. We know Dave hates NBC with the fire of a thousand suns. It would also seem that Dave is winding down his stellar career. Dave and Conan have great respect for each other.
Craig is funny, and does a great show...but I'm not sure he's ready for 11:35 yet. Furthermore, Craig has not done the Late Late Show for so long that he should feel entitled to the 11:35 show. I further assume that Craig hasn't turned down other, more lucrative offers to stay with Worldwide Pants.
So, with all that as a background, what do you think about Dave seizing this opportunity to bow out (perhaps at the end of the summer) and turn the show over to Conan? What a delightful way for Dave to ensure his Late Show franchise stays in capable hands while giving the ultimate slap in the face of the network that slighted him.
(Sorry, Justin, but Dave is all but signed to a two-year deal with CBS. He is there until 2012. One scenario has Conan parked at CBS/Showtime for two years, then taking over, but that would mean the 150 or so people he just persuaded to uproot their lives and follow him from New York to LA would have to start looking for work. The more I think about it, the more I think there is really only one good option available to Conan: Pray NBC lets him out of his deal gracefully and pray Fox scoops him up at whatever bargain price Fox is willing to pay.--AB)
