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NBC has made a total mess of its late night situation, and after announcing that Jay Leno would be moving back to 11:35 PM, everyone was left wondering what Conan would do: settle for a sure-thing job at 12:05 AM? Or bail on NBC for another network instead? Well, it looks like Conan has made his move, announcing in a wonderfully annoyed statement this afternoon that he would not remain host of The Tonight Show should it be pushed back to after midnight. Obviously this all sucks for Conan, but I love that he’s walking with his pride intact.
Conan’s full statement, via The New York Times, after the jump:

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

14 replies on “It's Official: Conan Won't Be NBC's Bitch!”

  1. I love how he (or his PR people), wrote that letter. It was classy, but you could still see he was absolutely pissed. Leno needs to go away! What does he even want with that show? Didn’t he get booted because Conan has a younger demographic following? And hasn’t he proved himself at 11:35 already? AND LAST NIGHT HE SAID HE WAS 59 when talking to Cosby. Dude, have some respect for Conan and just retire. Now when he REALLY retires, no one will care. Seriously they made the biggest deal out of this transition, and now they are going back on their word. I feel truly sorry for Conan and his team. They didn’t give him a chance to build his audience at 11:35. Conan and Andy forever! And sorry about my rant but I am HEATED.

  2. Leno seriously needs to move on. Why didn’t he just leave when he first left?… instead of coming back with a washed out version of the Tonight Show (tonight show lite?). So stupid it’s amazing. Leno’s got more money than God…go live your life and do an hour on Friday nights or something. Give SNL a run for it’s money but leave the Tonight Show alone. Way to much feakin ego involved here!!!!

  3. Jay Leno is the Urban Meyer of late night.
    Conan is a class act, and his show has never been funnier. I hope he signs with Fox and kicks Leno’s derriere.

  4. Leno continues to be the leading asshole in this saga. Why doesn’t he just go away?!
    Conan – I have new found respect for you & will watch you where ever you end up.
    SNL writers — I look forward to your coverage of this.!
    hb

  5. I’ve read a lot where people are saying that this is NBC’s fault, not Leno’s. While I agree to some extent, Leno should step down. Whether you think he is funny or not, this is a total douche move for him. He had his chance, he blew it. Certainly nobody else gets a 2nd chance at NBC, why is he the Golden Child? Conan and crew moved everything to LA and never even got the chance he deserved. All the people doing 10:00 shows got the ax to make way for a stupid show that nobody expected to do well anyway. I hope NBC’s ratings drop like a hot potato when Leno goes back to 11:30. I have a lot of respect for Conan because he is actually looking out for the best interest of the tradition, unlike Leno. Plus that statement was awesome.

  6. I agree with what Pange said, with what Patrick said, with what Jennifer said, with what hb said, and with what mallex said.
    Now I don’t have to comment.

  7. GO AWAY LENO! He didn’t want the transtition of Conan taking over to be like when He took over for Johnny, but now it’s WORSE! Just retire already. You don’t need the money.
    NBC YOU F’D UP!

  8. Conan is a class act!!! NBC should be ashamed of itself for treating him with such disrespect.

  9. go to these links – spread the word & SAVE THE TONIGHT SHOW w/ Conan
    tell NBC to let Jay Leno go
    http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/latenightwithconan/
    http://www.nbc.com/contact/general/ – send a message to NBC directly
    SPREAD THE WORD ASAP – it is NOT too late –
    email your local newspaper editors and/ or local NBC stations
    be proactive & support Conan
    the decision makers at NBC do not read these or other websites but they do respond to direct email sent to NBC & online petitions that get enough signatures –
    use the subject line – KEEP CONAN, fire Jay Leno – short & simple

  10. I absolutely LOVE the last sentence of his letter. He got screwed. I have no respect for Jay Leno now.

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