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Conan = Class
Topic Started: Jan 23 2010, 04:10 AM (414 Views)
Strife
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Haven't watched tonight's farewell show as yet, but I got to read his farewell speech. I'm really impressed with the way in which he has handled himself. Between tonight's speech and his written statement last week, he has gained an enormous amount of respect in my eyes.


Last weeks Statement:

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



Tonight's speech:

"Before we end this rodeo, a few things need to be said. There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we're going to go our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.

Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I've had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we'll find a way to make it fun.

And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.

To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. As proof, let’s make an amazing thing happen right now. Here to close out our show, are a few good friends, led by Mr. Will Ferrell…"
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Yay someone else here wants to talk about conan! :yay:

I've been following all this late night stuff like crazy for the last two weeks and I was thinking of making a post about it many times but I didn't think there were any other conan fans here. I just watched the last episode of his tonight show. :cry: Totally sucks that he wont be on tv anymore (until he starts another show on some other network). He ended his show playing the guitar with the band and will ferrel (he got the cow bell out at the end too :D ). Conan's played guitar on the show before but I've never seen him rock out like he did on todays show. Fun way to end his 20+ years on NBC.
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goodlucksaturday
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Where dreams come to come true.
boost
Jan 23 2010, 04:34 AM
Yay someone else here wants to talk about conan! :yay:

I've been following all this late night stuff like crazy for the last two weeks and I was thinking of making a post about it many times but I didn't think there were any other conan fans here. I just watched the last episode of his tonight show. :cry: Totally sucks that he wont be on tv anymore (until he starts another show on some other network). He ended his show playing the guitar with the band and will ferrel (he got the cow bell out at the end too :D ). Conan's played guitar on the show before but I've never seen him rock out like he did on todays show. Fun way to end his 20+ years on NBC.
No other Coco fans? I've loved this guy since I learned what late night comedy was. :lol: My parents are big Dave fans, but somehow, I ended up on Conan and it was lovvvee. Not only are his Simpsons episodes some of the best ever, but I've still got a VHS copy of his fifth anniversary Late Night program somewhere. Loved his move to The Tonight Show, and it was the first time I made an effort to stay on top of his show unlike before when I'd just catch it if I were up. Missed only a handful of Conan's Tonight Show, and it's awful it's gone.

Conan was wronged, but NBC wanted the whole enchilada, and couldn't have it. Now Jay is back to Tonight Show, and Conan will go off to FOX this fall and I'll be back on the horse. :lol: I love that he fought for an extra $12 million settlement for his staff. I love that he came out the winner in this fiasco against Jay, and I love that Conan will still be back this fall.

DVR'd the final episode, can't wait to watch it. Not reading much of anything being posted...I want to enjoy it spoiler free, but...I'm with Coco.
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TSL
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No daylight, I'm too weak to face it!
I've never been much into late night stuff... Well... I really don't watch TV save for Alton Brown... But what I've seen of Conan, I really liked. And I agree that his Simpsons stuff was really good.

That said, I'm glad I've got some knowledgeable people here because I've wanted to ask.... Why did this whole thing start? I read the article when this was first announced on my favorite news site. But it wasn't very detailed. What actually caused them to want to go back with Jay? Were their ratings way down?
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nate
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Alton Brown? I cannot stand that guy.
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goodlucksaturday
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Where dreams come to come true.
TSL
Jan 23 2010, 11:30 AM
I've never been much into late night stuff... Well... I really don't watch TV save for Alton Brown... But what I've seen of Conan, I really liked. And I agree that his Simpsons stuff was really good.

That said, I'm glad I've got some knowledgeable people here because I've wanted to ask.... Why did this whole thing start? I read the article when this was first announced on my favorite news site. But it wasn't very detailed. What actually caused them to want to go back with Jay? Were their ratings way down?
NBC didn't want to lose Conan like they lost Dave, but also wanted to keep Leno. So they decided to put Leno on at 10:00, which turned out to be a really bad idea when his ratings were terrible, local news ratings were terrible, and Conan suffered as well (partially due to Leno leading in and being less adept really to that slot). So NBC was going to push Leno back to 11:35, and have Conan start at 12:05. Conan said, "Eff that!" and that's how it all went downhill. Basically, Conan's out, Jay's back in as the Tonight Show host.
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goodlucksaturday
Jan 23 2010, 12:33 PM
TSL
Jan 23 2010, 11:30 AM
I've never been much into late night stuff... Well... I really don't watch TV save for Alton Brown... But what I've seen of Conan, I really liked. And I agree that his Simpsons stuff was really good.

That said, I'm glad I've got some knowledgeable people here because I've wanted to ask.... Why did this whole thing start? I read the article when this was first announced on my favorite news site. But it wasn't very detailed. What actually caused them to want to go back with Jay? Were their ratings way down?
NBC didn't want to lose Conan like they lost Dave, but also wanted to keep Leno. So they decided to put Leno on at 10:00, which turned out to be a really bad idea when his ratings were terrible, local news ratings were terrible, and Conan suffered as well (partially due to Leno leading in and being less adept really to that slot). So NBC was going to push Leno back to 11:35, and have Conan start at 12:05. Conan said, "Eff that!" and that's how it all went downhill. Basically, Conan's out, Jay's back in as the Tonight Show host.
Jimmy kimmel did a good job explaining it on his show. Pretty bias since they hate jay leno over there but still hilarious

Edited by boost, Jan 23 2010, 04:17 PM.
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DarkCloudLives

http://www.hulu.com/watch/122598/the-tonight-show-with-conan-obrien-fri-jan-22-2010
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TSL
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No daylight, I'm too weak to face it!
nate
Jan 23 2010, 11:33 AM
Alton Brown? I cannot stand that guy.
Really? You said that like you know him personally. :lol:
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nate
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TSL
Jan 27 2010, 02:32 PM
nate
Jan 23 2010, 11:33 AM
Alton Brown? I cannot stand that guy.
Really? You said that like you know him personally. :lol:
Nah, you misread. I said that like I want to reach through the TV and choke him. ;)
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TSL
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No daylight, I'm too weak to face it!
Why so much anger over a person you don't know and has done you no ill? :lol:
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nate
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TSL
Jan 27 2010, 05:28 PM
Why so much anger over a person you don't know and has done you no ill? :lol:
What're you talking about? He shot my dog. :x
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TSL
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No daylight, I'm too weak to face it!
Oh word.. Whoop his ass. :lol:
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DarkCloudLives

Why would a chef shoot your dog?
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nate
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DarkCloudLives
Jan 27 2010, 08:29 PM
Why would a chef shoot your dog?
Are chefs particularly known for their pro-canine tendencies that his profession is the cause of shock in this situation? :headscratch:
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