If you ever need an example of how not to run a network, just watch anything NBC’s put up in the last two years. Under the leadership of Jeff Zucker and Ben Silverman, they’ve managed to bring a network that used to be a late-night powerhouse, to a laughingstock. Which wouldn’t be bad, except, now, they’re screwing with Conan. And nobody screws with Conan.
Conan O’Brien has encountered numerous obstacles since inheriting the coveted spot that Leno and Carson held before him. Carson actually was displeased that Conan was set to inherit the spot, remarking that he had a colonoscopy scheduled for that day. That’s vintage, bitchy Johnny Carson. But viewers have been leaving en masse, scoring Letterman record ratings, and leaving Jay Leno in his pre-news slot and Conan with an increasingly tiny viewing pool. Instead of acknowledging their own fuck-ups, they will do what NBC has become famous for. And screw the little guy. They’re going to push Jay Leno back to his old spot, 11:05, and let Conan take the slot afterward, at 12:05. Well, Conan has the option of taking the slot afterward, or leaving the network.
You know what I hope Conan does? I hope he fucks NBC over. I hope he leaves that sinking ship and starts a television network of his own, where his brilliant interviewing and unfettered riffing can live freely. Or just goes to FOX, where this kind of behavior wouldn’t be tolerated.
