Earlier today, it was announced that Conan O’Brien would be moving his late night show over to TBS, home of George Lopez, Tyler Perry, and the misleading tagline “very funny.” After several years of branding itself as a comedy treasure trove, I’ve yet to actually find anything on TBS worth crowing about, which makes this gamble on Conan a bit worrisome. Clearly it’s an effort by the network to boost its legitimacy on the humor front, but will this move work? Can Conan’s edgy, young-skewing style work on a down-the-middle, generally safe cable channel that quite frankly seems more likely to suit Jay Leno than anyone else? I’m not sure. This seems like the most incongruous pairing since Project Runway wound up on Lifetime. And we all know how that’s working out.
It’s too early to say if this is truly a smart move or not, but with Jay Leno back at the Tonight Show and ratings up, I can’t help but feel like this late night saga doesn’t have the Justice-Is-Served happy ending I was not so secretly pining for. I’ll continue to follow Conan’s valedictory advise and not be cynical, but man, he’s certainly testing my limits.
What do you think about the move. Smart? Dumb? Will it work?
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I’ve already given my remarks over in the Forum. (which nobody sees to be using any more)
Since my satellite service recently dropped TBS I’ll not be seeing Conan, anyway.
Conan and I are the same age. I don’t look that old, do I?
I know this has nothing to do with him moving to TBS, but I just had to say it.
I thought Conan & FOX was the perfect pairing. Regardless, I will be tuning in.
I am a little upset that there is no new ‘Cosby Show’.
With Conan as Rudy I had visions of Betty White as Clair.
hb
I have to say, after seeing his first tour stop in Eugene, Oregon, Conan was much edgier and dirtier than he’s been allowed to be on TV in the last 17 years, so hopefully cable TV lets him be like he is on this tour. Because if he’s anything on TBS like he was on Monday, it’ll be a great show, no matter what stupid network is airing it.
I hear George Lopez lobbied to bring him on because he wanted the Conan lead-in. But didn’t everyone just turn off the TV when Carson Daly came on? I won’t watch a shitty show just because Conan was on before it, LOPEZ.