Conan O'Brien to Take Over 'Tonight' in Five Years

[Admiral Ackbar]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/27/leisure.leno.reut/index.html
Thanks for the new link Supernothing.

I often hear on the radio that Dave Letterman is funnier that Leno, but I think Conan beats them both. I don't watch late night like I use to, but when I was in college a few years back it was the funniest thing before Adult Swim.

I just hope they allow him to be just as risque.

[pimpinc333]

Yea, I like Conan the best out of all of them.

[FriskyTanuki]

I love Conan, but I also like Leno. Who might replace him on Late Night? I hope he gets to keep doing his brand of pity comedy, and keeps doing the skits, as well.

The link requires you to register to see it.

[LV-426RS]

Another link
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/27/leisure.leno.reut/index.html

[ykryptonite13]

Conan's great, but I kinda hope he tones down his act once he goes to the Tonight Show. Some of his antics can fly on Late Night, because it's not the headline show and I'm not sure all of it should make the transition - some of it is a lil too out there. But it's nice to hear that he's getting the job and that NBC is rewarding him for his work by promoting him later (bet you David Letterman's a little bit peeved today).

But yeah, I'll miss Jay. My number one concern is who will take up the "Late Night" spot? Please not Carson Daly.

[alongx]

this should have happened 5 years ago, not 5 years from now.

[KingDox]

wow, I wonder if that is really going to happen. I mean how old was jonny when he quit and how old is Leno now ?

Conan is such a different person then leno, I wonder how he will do at an earlier time slot. His show has always been about how no one watches it and he can do what he wants.

[Reality's Fringe]

I still can't believe Conan went to Harvard. I mean, I love his show, own both the dvds that he put out, but I'll be damned if I can see the education he got.

[The Successful Dropout]

conans a 10
lettermans a 8
and
lenos a 4

[MrBadExample]

I can't stand Leno because he's just not funny anymore. He was back before he got the Tonight Show.

Conan rocks and I hope he doesn't change much going to 11:30. Have they said if he'll do the show from L.A. or NYC?

[AlbinoNinja]

wow, I wonder if that is really going to happen. I mean how old was jonny when he quit and how old is Leno now ?

Conan is such a different person then leno, I wonder how he will do at an earlier time slot. His show has always been about how no one watches it and he can do what he wants.

very true, in fact the main reason why i watch him is because of his "im gonna make an ass of myself" brand of improv comedy (the walker texas ranger lever is the worlds greatest invention, i wanna buy it when (if?) it goes on ebay)
Also Carson and Leno are two completely different people. I dunno alot about carson, but Leno already has the huge house, and hundreds of cars. He could easily live comfortably off of his image (cameos in movies, guest starring on TV shows, maybe some Entertainment tonight articles) if he quit right now

as for the late show, i wouldnt mind seeing one of the guys from Last Comic Standing take over (anyone but Jay London, he puts me to sleep).

[Admiral Ackbar]

I still can't believe Conan went to Harvard. I mean, I love his show, own both the dvds that he put out, but I'll be damned if I can see the education he got.

I think Rowan Atkinson of Blackadder fame went to Oxford and got a degree in civil engineering.

[Reality's Fringe]

Ah, Mr. Bean. I can't see that one either. Funny how things work out sometimes.

[jmcc]

Well, this explains why he's been getting increasingly less funny over the last year or two: he's gotta step it down to Leno's level.

[Alpha2]

Truth be told it's probably the network that forces these guys to crank it back a notch, so as not to frighten people. Leno is a lot older than people think, he referances things a lot of people draw a blank on sometimes, and his team of writers isnt helping. Conan's more contemporay and current, he speaks more to the 18-30 demographic.

When Conan does take over they;ll probably force him to move to califonia because thats where the tonight show is based. It's like a staple.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

this should have happened 5 years ago, not 5 years from now.

tru.dat

Conan >>>> Leno > Kilborn >>>>> Letterman

[Dead of Knight]

Woooo, now I can actually WATCH Conan on regular basis! He's on too late for me to see him except during the summer....

[sblymnlcrymnl]

Woooo, now I can actually WATCH Conan on regular basis! He's on too late for me to see him except during the summer....

I usually catch him on comedy central the next day if I miss it, though I haven't watched in a while.

[Admiral Ackbar]

Speaking of hosts, going back to carson, one of the things that made him great was the amount of sexual innuendo he would joke about as a host. I mean, he made some jokes more risque than most of the humor you might see on Conan.

Every once in awhile I'll catch the old Carson. I remember him as a kid but now that I'm older I understand his humor better. I get a lot of the subtle adult humor and more explicit innuendo.

It's funny, I think that the 11:30 shows have actually gotten less risque than Johnny in his prime. Maybe from pressure from the networks. But there was a reason Johnny was king. He pushed the envelope. Hopefully in a few years we'll see Conan do that too.

[Gothic Walrus]

Five years is too long to wait for this. I'd love to see Leno gone now, but I've never been a fan of his.

Here's hoping that Triumph doesn't make the move with Conan...

[beerguy961]

I like Conan's show, but Leno has great monologues (probably due to his great stand up experience). Leno has done a great job, it'll suck to not have him...

[DigitalSpace]

I used to find Jay Leno tolerable, now I just find it horrible. The only Leno skit I can stand to watch anymore is Headlines.

Good to see Conan getting the top slot once Jay's out, but one wonders if it'll come with the price of being watered down...

[KingDox]

Well I think the that conan will do a few guest hosts on the Tonight show like leno did near the end of Jonny's run. So maybe expect conan to be on the Tonight show in 4 years.

[Sheik Rattle Enroll]

Man conan just grates on my nerves. He tries to be super zany but just winds up telling the same jokes every show. It's cool he can make fun of himself but it's really annoying when he tells the exact same jokes about himself and how his show isn't funny every single frickin show. (makes a mistake and audience laughs) Where was that during my monologue? Etc. Etc.

The stupid dog cracks me up though.

[Murcielago77]

Conan is the best of all the late night shows.

Conan:10
Leno:7
Letterman:5
Kilborn:he sucked and thank god he is retiring/retired

[CaseyRyback]

the walker lever is awesome, but it was even better when he had the Beverly Hills Cop theme playing during a Walker, Texas Ranger clip

[sblymnlcrymnl]

I hope he talks andy into comeing back.

A little off topic but who else would sell their eternal soul for ARCtU on DVD?

[DigitalSpace]

Conan: 10
Letterman: 8
Kimmel: 5
Kilborn: 3
Daly: 2 (two points for the last call dancers - hotties)
Leno: 1 (one point for headlines)

[jmcc]

I don't like this, the more I think about it. The network won't let him carry some of the wackier bits over. Weird characters like Cactus Chef Playing "We Didn't Start The Fire" on the Flute or arch-enemies Robot on the Toilet/Man on the Ice Toilet. All we're going to be left with is synchrovox and Triumph and I hate both of those.

[CaptainObviousXl]

dude armagedon will come before this

[judyjudyjudy]

Leno is really not funny. I find his deliveries almost intolerable, and the writing wasn't all that great to start with. I don't know about Conan going to 11:30 though. His antics are amateurish, but I still find them funny, but I doubt it will sit well at the 11:30 spot. I still hope he gets to retain most of the writers and band with the move. He's getting older too, so maybe he'll get more class and maturity for the Tonight Show in 5 years. I like his current stuff, and I like how he makes fun of himself and his on-the-spot wit (which I think Leno lacks).

[CouRageouS]

the walker lever is awesome, but it was even better when he had the Beverly Hills Cop theme playing during a Walker, Texas Ranger clip
Hahah thats why I love Conan the best, his shows a bit late to watch it all the time but when you do you remember all of his funny shit. Some favorites include: the Canada week, SHOEverine, Fed Ex Pope, the Max on Max tape, the Scotty Pippen is the same person as Osama thing, DESK DRIVING, anytime they do the lips fill in thing with Saddam or Arnold, and my all time favorite moment was just plain stupid yet hilarious : it was during the story pics thing and when Conan said Max's biggest fan came over, it was a picture of a fat chick with a shirt that said "I heart Macks". Conan really is the best of all. Letterman beats Leno anyday. He even makes fun of him sometimes and its pretty hilarious. I also think Lettermans just a better person and more genuine then Leno. Don't forget Kimmel though, his shows pretty good too. Touch the Head, this week in Unnecessary Censorship, Black or White (dancers), are quite entertaining. When they had Warren Sapp co-host the week, the "What's Sapp'n?" catchphrase is still stuck on my head. Whoa, just noticed they don't use co-hosts anymore.

But yea, I just watch the first half hour of most these shows unless the guests interests me. The best formula is watching the first halves of Letterman, Kimmel, then Conan all the way.

[DigitalSpace]

We can probably say goodbye to the Masturbating Bear as well. Then again, he ran his course a couple years ago.

[R1V3R5]

We can probably say goodbye to the Masturbating Bear as well. Then again, he ran his course a couple years ago.


No! Don't say such a thing! The masturbating bear will never go away! :twisted:

[CouRageouS]

Did anyone see Letterman tonight? HILARIOUS! He talked about Conan taking over in 2009, and wondered if maybe he could send a tape and get the gig. Then when he said its probably too late, him and Paul joked around maybe getting the Conans Late Night show because they used to have it.

EDIT: I just flipped to Leno and he actually did a commendable thing when he mentioned the whole thing, saying how he'll never be Carson and wanting to go out while its still doing great like Seinfeld. But what I thought was commendable was the fact that he mentioned Dave and said he just wanted Conan to get the spot secure now rather than have it up in the air like when Carson left the show. When they weren't sure if him or Dave would get the Tonight show, he said it brought animosity permanantly damaged friendships. I thought it was nice of him cause usually him and Dave shy away from mentioning each others shows. Well..more Leno than Dave, Dave makes fun by saying you could change the channel to Leno and laughing about it.

[BlueWingX]

I hope he talks andy into comeing back.

A little off topic but who else would sell their eternal soul for ARCtU on DVD?

If it had commentaries by Andy on every episode, plus some unaired eps.... Yeah, I'd do it... :)

[evilpenguin9000]

We can probably say goodbye to the Masturbating Bear as well. Then again, he ran his course a couple years ago.


No! Don't say such a thing! The masturbating bear will never go away! :twisted:

Viva la masturbating bear!!!

[DigitalSpace]

We can probably say goodbye to the Masturbating Bear as well. Then again, he ran his course a couple years ago.


No! Don't say such a thing! The masturbating bear will never go away! :twisted:

Viva la masturbating bear!!!

I'm a big Conan fan, but imo the masturbating bear has gotten repetitive.

"Oh no! The bear's gonna masturbate again!"

So, to each their own.

Then again, here's something I hope we can all agree on. When it comes to huge creatures:

Masturbating Bear > DLF

[Reality's Fringe]

I don't know about you guys, but I crack up everytime I see that bit where he asks Harrispn Ford to do a serious face at the camera while he plays a jaunty tune. I really like Conan, and if his show keeps the same general feel, then long-live.+

[jmcc]

Well, I watched the show for the first time in months last night and was pleasantly surprised. Most of the sketches were awesome, especially Max shooting and killing "Hope Floats." They just need to cut synchrovox out entirely and I'll watch again.

[kaw]

While I'm glad to see Conan get the spot, I'm a little worried that the show will have to be toned down to suit the new 11:30 audience. That's the best part about Conan is the off-the-wall humor that toes the line on what is and isn't allowable on network TV. The same humor Conan brought to the Simpsons and SNL during his runs as a writer on those shows.

I'm afraid the skits will end up stale and watered down. NBC will probably stick with a few more of the more acceptable reoccuring skits like In the Year 2000 and If they Mated.

When the show first started in 1993 the only thing funny was how bad it was. Conan really turned the show into the best program on late night network television. It is good to see Conan get the recognition he deserves. Also, I hope they keep the show in NY instead of moving it to Burbank.

[Jaket]

thats great... jay leno is great, but conan is the best out of all of em'... fucking hate lettermen!

[Arakias]

Wow, 5 years from now! I can hardly contain myself.

[DenisDFat]

Adult swim sucks, Jay Leno sucks even more

[Ikohn4ever]

IN the year 2009, Conan will be thrown off the air when the masturbating bear's diaper falls down and the whole world sees a picture of Janet Jackson's nipple

[Trakan]

I like Leno, and don't mind him being around for 5 more years, but in 2009, Conan is the best possible replacement. I don't think too much of his comedy will be cut out, although some will.

[cyberlian]

I wonder what it feels like to be competing with someone that you already know will replace you?

[Rig]

I like Leno as well as Conan. I'm glad he is getting Leno's spot.

[Trakan]

I wonder what it feels like to be competing with someone that you already know will replace you?

Leno and Conan are on the same network and are on at different times. They are no competition to each other. If anything, each would want the other to do well.

[guardian_owl]

While I'm glad to see Conan get the spot, I'm a little worried that the show will have to be toned down to suit the new 11:30 audience. That's the best part about Conan is the off-the-wall humor that toes the line on what is and isn't allowable on network TV. The same humor Conan brought to the Simpsons and SNL during his runs as a writer on those shows.

I'm afraid the skits will end up stale and watered down. NBC will probably stick with a few more of the more acceptable reoccuring skits like In the Year 2000 and If they Mated.

When the show first started in 1993 the only thing funny was how bad it was. Conan really turned the show into the best program on late night network television. It is good to see Conan get the recognition he deserves. Also, I hope they keep the show in NY instead of moving it to Burbank.

That's what I am worried about as well:
1.) Will NBC, excuse me, NBC-UNIVERSAL try and tone him down and thus destroy what makes him appealing.
2.) Moving to Burbank may kill the soul of the show as it is not just Conan's charisma, but the writing and the actors who perform the various skits. Not to mention Burbank just isn't as interesting a city as NYC.

I would the skit he did which made me laugh the hardest is when the actor playing a dog trainer came on and made a big deal about the trained dog being perfectly behaved and there is absolutely no way it will attack. He yells "Ginger, NO!" and then what you don't expect happens, the dog fires a gun :lol: .

I am a relatively late comer to Late Night, I've only been watching it for about 2 years, so I am dissappointed that they did not release the Conan 5th Anniversary show when they released Triumph collection and the 10th Anniversary show as I had heard the 5th is funnier.

[DenisDFat]

Ian Roberts is awesome. Too bad comedy central cancelled UCB.

[levi333]

Never been a Leno fan. IMO hes just an NBC tool.
Conan is great, my fav late nighter. Hes crazy, off the wall, unscripted, just plain entertaining to watch.

I just hope NBC doesnt water him down, and force him to change his awesome ways.

[buster90]

Looks like COnan has "Sold Out"

I will just watch whoever replaces him or better yet watch Jimmy Kimbell.

[DenisDFat]

That has to be the stupidest thing I've read today.

How exactly has he sold out?

[neocisco]

Forget all that. The man we need back is...Arsenioooooo Hall!!!!! WOOF!! WOOF!! WOOF!! WOOF!!