Maroon Weekly

By Justin Baker

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is coming back to NBC March 1, and right now, nearly everyone is of the opinion that Leno is a giant tool. The news, O’Brien, Letterman, and Kimmel have all taken shots, seemingly fairly, at Leno’s reentry to Tonight. And though I’m upset as anyone about the move—for it is our demographic who most supports Coco—Leno is not a douche; he simply wants to stay on TV delivering unfunny comedy to people like our parents. So give him a break.

On the other hand, Conan’s glory days were spent on the early Simpsons, especially seasons four and five when he had four episodes with sole writing credits—some of the best and unequivocal Simpsons being Simpsons: Marge vs. The Monorail, New kid on the Block, Homer goes to College, and Treehouse of Horror IV. He produced many of the fourth and fifth seasons, and his dry, quirky, effacing humor protrudes through these two best seasons.

Ratings

Ratings are said to be black and white. Yet, the way in which the news has interpreted the ratings has been rather gray. Conan clearly lost overall viewership, was beaten by Letterman, and beaten even worse by Leno based on the previous year’s (and years’) numbers.

But, Leno in August said, “And I don’t think it’s fair to judge Conan on what’s happened in a month or two….I got beat up for four or five months, and you still go out with your chin up” (in Leno’s case, a very large chin). And Conan’s first three years as the Late Show host were less than adequate, but managed to become the king of late night, in funnies and in ratings, for well over a decade.

Of course, with the Tonight Show, NBC could not afford to wait three years—and just barely gave him the five months Leno had—as 2.5 million viewers, down 50% from the previous year, and sharp drops in the 18-49 demographic do not suffice for advertisers. So seven months later, even with some months getting plenty of viewership in the key advertising demographic, the network said goodbye.

And Conan said, “Well, hullo ratings! Where have you been all this time?” (He didn’t really say that, but you get the point.)

Leno v. Conan

We’ve talked ratings, and obviously Leno is the leader—or at least found a quicker way to get there—aside from the last week of the Tonight Show with Conan. Which makes you wonder, was it to catch Conan at his obvious best, picking on NBC and Leno that viewers tuned in (more viewers than even the Haiti telethon)? Could that have been his niche as was Letterman’s sordid scandal to better ratings and smooth sailing? Most likely, the high viewership was to show support for Coco and watch the drama unfold; highly unlikely that those stellar numbers would have lasted.

But, Leno, ratings leader though he is, is just a pawn of the network execs, shuffled around whenever they see fit. Conan got the show in the first place because of Conan’s acquired clout, despite both Leno’s and Conan’s continued success at their respective hours. So, if anything, Conan screwed himself and Leno over…seriously, think it over. They weren’t exactly forced to move; they both got new jobs and they both said, “okay.”

So Leno’s not a tool, just a butt of the jokes—are Conan’s meant to hurt? In Leno’s interview with Oprah, she repeatedly points to him that her viewership considers him selfish for taking back the show; 96 percent of 80,000 respondents said they were on Conan’s side and 94 percent said Leno should not return to The Tonight Show. From the interview, the fact Leno moved to 9pm (central) instead of retiring, and Leno’s five year preparation to move from The Tonight Show beginning in 2004—in which he claims he proffered stepping down under the “white lie” of switching networks—just shows Leno loves the business.

Oh, and in answer to the previous question, Conan is probably just disgruntled. In sincerity, specifically addressing us youngsters, he left the show claiming “kindness” and hard work are values to cherish and that out of vices, he “hates cynicism.”

The Tonight Show with…

With Leno’s reclamation of The Tonight Show, hardworking Jay Leno that he is, is simply not doing enough with a PR firm to get NBC’s negative mess cleaned off of him. You have to wonder if people will be willing to watch him again, douche or not.. Oprah’s interview certainly cannot hurt, but NBC may have kamikazed the show.

I hope that all of the following happens to the benefit of all of us comedy lovers: people come around to Fallon; Conan takes over Fox and finally cancels The Simpsons after 200 too many episodes and writes something better in its place; and that Leno can save the Tonight Show—or get replaced by someone who can.