Everyone knew the face of late-night TV would change when Jay Leno left The Tonight Show, but prime time as well? On Dec. 9, NBC announced that the reigning king of late night will stay put at the network by hosting an untitled new gabfest at 10 p.m. every weeknight, starting next fall. Leno, who is set to step down from The Tonight Show on May 29, will pack the first-ever Monday–Friday prime-time talk show with signature bits like those corny “Jaywalking” segments and a stable of A-list guests — which could set up a potential booking war with his successor, Conan O’Brien. (“I am absolutely thrilled that Jay is staying at NBC,” O’Brien said on his show Tuesday, although there are certainly drawbacks to the arrangement.)
Leno, who appeared at a press conference yesterday with his obviously relieved NBC bosses, said he’d prefer to “fight with family” than move to another network — a real possibility had NBC not persuaded him to reject offers by ABC, Fox, and even Sony to jump ship once his 17-year-run ends next spring. “My parents always said, Whatever you do in life, always try to come in fourth,” joked Leno of NBC’s current prime-time standing, before adding, “I’m comfortable with the people I work with. It makes it easier.”
For NBC, it’s also cheaper. Leno’s new deal isn’t exactly a bargain — published reports put the new contract at more than $30 million a year — but it’s a fraction of what it costs to program a scripted series in the 10 p.m. time slot, which hasn’t launched a bona fide hit in four years. The average drama now costs around $3 million an episode to produce; Leno needs roughly $400,000 per night for his new show. So NBC should save a mint by making him the new face of 10 p.m. (Middling but consistent performers like Law & Order: SVU are expected to move one hour earlier.) And unlike dramas, which air in originals only around 22 times a year, Leno can guarantee 46 weeks of fresh programming once he begins next fall. “Not only is the cost of the show lower, but we are offering advertisers a DVR-proof show that you can join in progress,” insists NBC co-chairman Marc Graboff. “It’s a better solution.”
And if there’s one thing NBC needs now, it’s solutions. Viewership is
down 11 percent, the fall slate is in shambles, and the network needs
to salvage whatever credibility it has left with Madison Avenue. This
week, NBC/Universal sacked programming exec Teri Weinberg and studio
president Katherine Pope, merged their jobs, and gave the newly created
position to former international programming chief Angela Bromstad. In
tapping Leno, the network further utilizes a proven late-night
performer. While his current Tonight Show average of 4.8 million
viewers is certainly less than what a hit scripted show would bring in,
it’s more eyes than recent 10 p.m. NBC programs Lipstick Jungle and
My Own Worst Enemy have been attracting.
The move also restores a
sense of much-needed order. “Networks aren’t what they used to be in
terms of prime-time programming,” says media analyst Harold Vogel.
“This is probably a better time to try than any time in the past. It
has a real shot of working.”
Ironically, the competition could also end up benefiting. The reduction
of scripted programs in the 10 p.m. hour provides the other networks
leverage to attract better shows at a cheaper price — and could give
other series in the time slot a better chance of survival. As for
NBC, ceding prime-time territory can be risky, as evidenced by The CW’s
decision to sell away its Sunday nights this fall. (In case you weren’t
watching — and judging by the ratings, you weren’t — the farmed-out
programming block failed miserably.)
In many ways, slotting Leno in prime time seems like
an admission that NBC’s current series development process just hasn’t
worked, and for now, it’s giving up on the hour that once launched hits
like Law & Order and ER. Says one producer with a series currently
airing on NBC, “It may be a very smart cost-saving measure, but it’s a
sad day for the state of network TV.” Yet a damn good one for Jay Leno
fans.
More Jay Leno:
Jay Leno to prime time?!
TV Spotlight: Jay Leno’s next move
WGA upset with Jay Leno for writing jokes during strike
Is Jay Leno the next Larry King?
How Jay Leno writes his opening monologue
And if there’s one thing NBC needs now, it’s solutions. Viewership isdown 11 percent, the fall slate is in shambles, and the network needsto salvage whatever credibility it has left with Madison Avenue. Thisweek, NBC/Universal sacked programming exec Teri Weinberg and studiopresident Katherine Pope, merged their jobs, and gave the newly createdposition to former international programming chief Angela Bromstad. Intapping Leno, the network further utilizes a proven late-nightperformer. While his current Tonight Show average of 4.8 millionviewers is certainly less than what a hit scripted show would bring in,it’s more eyes than recent 10 p.m. NBC programs Lipstick Jungle andMy Own Worst Enemy have been attracting.
The move also restores asense of much-needed order. “Networks aren’t what they used to be interms of prime-time programming,” says media analyst Harold Vogel.“This is probably a better time to try than any time in the past. Ithas a real shot of working.”Ironically, the competition could also end up benefiting. The reductionof scripted programs in the 10 p.m. hour provides the other networksleverage to attract better shows at a cheaper price — and could giveother series in the time slot a better chance of survival. As forNBC, ceding prime-time territory can be risky, as evidenced by The CW’sdecision to sell away its Sunday nights this fall. (In case you weren’twatching — and judging by the ratings, you weren’t — the farmed-outprogramming block failed miserably.)
In many ways, slotting Leno in prime time seems likean admission that NBC’s current series development process just hasn’tworked, and for now, it’s giving up on the hour that once launched hitslike Law & Order and ER. Says one producer with a series currentlyairing on NBC, “It may be a very smart cost-saving measure, but it’s asad day for the state of network TV.” Yet a damn good one for Jay Lenofans.
More Jay Leno:
Jay Leno to prime time?!
TV Spotlight: Jay Leno’s next move
WGA upset with Jay Leno for writing jokes during strike
Is Jay Leno the next Larry King?
How Jay Leno writes his opening monologue
Comments (1-30) of 223 Add your comment
dvr-proof does that mean it cant be recorded with a dvr?
Well you’re going to lose me at 10:00PM when Leno comes on. There are enough boring talk shows now, to replace an entertaining drama is just overload.
“dvr-proof”
I think what it means is they’re going to put so many crappy shows out there per year (46), that you won’t have time to keep up with them all if you’re recording.
My advice: skip television and focus on your own life, not on enriching the lives of advertisers and television executives.
A “sad day for the state of network TV”? Right, the world weeps for you.
nbc = nothing but chatfests!
I, for one, will be glad to see Jay on at 10pm.I usually tape the show to catch the next day anyway.They would be losing me as soon as he left as I detest Conan and won’t be taping anymore.Unlike Rosie, I can see this working.I am also tired of Reality Shows and bad scripting/acting/storylines on other regular shows.I used to enjoy watching TV but sometimes it feels more like a chore than an enjoyable way to relax.I am happy NBC finally got something right.
Some of these guys like Larry King and Sean Hannity could get hurt by this. I wonder if FOX got a wiff of this deal when Hannity and Colmes disbanded.
DVR-proof? I watch Jay every day – but I have to DVR him – does this mean I can’t watch? Phhooooey!
If I was Conan I would already be planning my exit. This is basically a no confidence for Conan.
I too watch Jay every night or DVR when I can’t and I can’t stand Conan. What a mess NBC made five years ago promising Conan the Tonight Show. I will not watch the Tonight show when Conan takes over but I will happily watch Jay at any time slot. When NBC sees the tonight show numbers go in the toilet, they will finally realize the scope of their mistake.
Puke. Vomit. Barf.
I would say NBC wants to make sure Conan does not flop so you keep the big QB.
Conan sucks donkey balls and sucks sheeps testicles. Leno rules. I would rather see Fallon get the tonight show than that tall looking pedifile.
NBC mystifies me again! I LOVE CONAN and want to see him have his shot in the spotlight. Once again he’ll be playing second fiddle to Jay Leno! I like Jay, but give Conan a chance!
Isn’t this just TOO much late night talk anyway? Jay at 10pm, Conan at 11:35, Conan’s replacement at 12:35,…and would they still keep Carson (I never watch him anyway).
I don’t know about this NBC.
I tivo the tonight show mainly for the musical guests. I try to watch Jay do his opening, bits, etc but he is so boring and not really consistently funny. But he probably will do well with the new show because he is so non threatening and middle of the road. Major ad $ for NBC.
Seriously, people actually think Leno is funny? I enjoy some of the bits on his show, but his monologue is just painful and sometimes his interviews are complete suck-ups.
Granted, I love Conan, but I’m going to be sad when they move him to the earlier spot and start censoring him. Can you really see “The Masturbating Bear” working in the 11:30PM time slot?
This is dumber than starting primetime at 7:30 — surely you all remember “She’s The Sheriff”? If NBC didn’t give up on shows so quickly, maybe they’d have more to work with.
‘Dvr-proof’ is just the network saying. “it’s a talk show, you don’t need to watch the whole thing like a drama”..making it ‘dvr-proof’ which it’s really not… And Jay is in all honesty, not funny in my opinion, dave and conan own Leno in the funny department.
This is great for NBC. And for all the guys who dont like watching Jay Leno or dont like the “nothing but chatter” as one guy said on this post go watch your desperate housewives you sallys.
Will he start being funny as well? What a snooze-fest.
No, I won’t be watching. Nothing against Jay Leno or those who enjoy him, but I find him dull. Besides, these days I mostly only watch the shows that I feel I am really interested in — I don’t surf around for its own sake, which is, let’s be honest, how most of Jay Leno’s viewership ends up there. It might do okay ratings-wise in terms of sheer viewers, but just wait: The demographics are going to make “Matlock” look like a candidate for the CW. This move reads to me like NBC giving up. They’re not a major network any longer; they’re bit players who somehow, weirdly, have something as good as “30 Rock” on their schedule.
I wouldn’t watch Jay Leno’s show if you paid me. This is a bone-headed move. If you want someone to do a gab-fest at 10, put Chelsea Handler on the screen. Not the human chin, Howard Stern-bit-stealing-Jay Leno.
I do not find Leno at all funny, nor his “bits/skits”. I will never watch him at 10:00pm, will only ever DVR portions of the show if decent person is slated to guest (and will always be sure to set DVR to NOT start recording until the time span after his awful monologue and skits would be over). I am big fan of Conan, but do worry about how much mandatory toning down of content wil take place. If the edge from Conan’s show will be gone, then so will I.
I haven’t watched the Late Shows in years, but I am dismayed at this decision.
Not everyone is a Law & Order fan, but I’m a faithful follower of those shows. Putting them on at 9 pm to make room for Jay? Are you serious?
Save money or lose viewers. Hmmmmm… sounds like a dilemma to me.
Way to go, NBC. No wonder viewership is down…
I agree with many of the other posts here – who actually thinks that Jay Leno is funny? Compared to all of the other late night hosts, with the possible exception of the dreary Carson Daly, he is the least amusing. Leno always comes across as the only person who likes his jokes. But at least he likes them a lot.
Doesn’t anyone remember what happened when we were “who wants to be a millionaire”ed to death? What about the 4 or 5 night a week dateline disaster? How long did it take the network to recover from those brilliant, cost-cutting moves?
I cannot believe people actually DVR or tape Leno. He is not funny and has not been funny in years. They always say they like him because he is an “everyman”. I have news for you, every man is not funny. And how many every day Joe’s own 100 cars? I will not watch, ever. If you think Jay is funny, you probably still get a kick out of America’s Funniest Home Videos
Put on re-runs of Johnny Carson. Now, THAT I will watch!
I hate Leno now, why would I watch him earlier, when I’m even more lucid and aware? But I’m afraid another anti-Leno post is preaching to the choir… EW caters to the intelligent and those picky about their pop culture. You’re not going to find many Jay-walkers here, I’m afraid.
The two of us would like to see some good kiddie porn on TV. That’s what Republicans like.
Yuck, despise Jay, love Conan. I think people will get tired of this very quickly.