# What happens when Conan takes over "The Tonight Show?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 27, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402 "2008-02-27T19:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/21 "2008-02-27T23:00:28Z")
Jimmy Fallon? I wonder if he’ll have time in his busy movie career to do it? Wasn’t he supposed to be a big star after leaving SNL, and all he’s done in four years is Taxi, Fever Pitch and Doogal? I’d say its insanity to have him host a talk show since he has never displayed any skill at interviewing people, but it hasn’t hurt Carson Daly. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/22 "2008-02-27T23:25:48Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] Just a guess but I would say he relocates to Burbank, CA and does the show from there. That way he gets the guests from the LA scene while Letterman gets the NY scene. [/QUOTE] I drive by the Tonight Show studio every night, it’s really funny seeing all the tourists lined up there. it wasn’t quite as funny when that sidewalk was filled with striking writers, but I digress. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/23 "2008-02-28T05:03:30Z")
Conan will get the Tonight Show studio, time slot and anything else he feels like keeping from the show. I suspect he will get to choose if he wants to keep any of the workers from the Tonight Show or use his own crew. Same thing goes with the writers. As for the show? That is all up to Conan so long as the ratings don’t get any worst. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/24 "2008-02-28T05:38:49Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] I would imagine it’s one of the hardest jobs in show biz. You have to be responsible for five hours a week of watchable, preferably funny, television. Give a job like that to someone who hasn’t proven they can do it, and you could end up with the Chevy Chase show. [/QUOTE] Consider how many people have failed at hosting a talk show. it’s hard to pull off. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/25 "2008-02-28T08:46:03Z")
Conan already bought a house in California, so I suspect the show will move there. Overall, I think his show will be less funny. Some of his more edgy stuff would not work in that time slot. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/26 "2008-02-28T09:00:00Z")
I imagine that there will be pressure for Conan to raise the ante a bit from his normal low-brow humor. My guess would be to expect some kid of hybrid Leno-Conan comedy hour; a little classier than Conan now, but with the same general idea. Things we’ll probably continue to see: The masturbating bear Triumph Actual Items (actually, I pray that he just takes over Headlines from Leno – Headlines is funnier) Jaywalking (Conanwalking? heh.) Fake celebrity interviews via satellite Videos found on YouTube Things that we’ll probably not keep seeing: Desk driving If They Mated Things I won’t put money on either way: The Walker Texas Ranger Lever I like Conan, for the most part. His monologue will hopefully become more Leno-esque – the kinds of jokes he does now are generally off the wall, and hit or miss. You either get a rousing cheer from the audience, or crickets chirping. Leno has a wider appeal with his jokes, I think, and at least brings news events into it. Now… that said… prepare to lose all respect for anything you just read. I like Jimmy Fallon. A lot. I think he’s hilarious, and overall quite charming. Now, is he talk-show-host material? I don’t know. But I predict that it’ll be hella funny. To me, at least. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/27 "2008-02-28T15:24:44Z")
I have no cite, but yesterday on the way home I heard an announcer say that Leno had decided to stay. Is there any substance to this? ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/28 "2008-02-28T16:02:29Z")
What happens? I finally won’t have to choose between Craig Ferguson and Conan. [QUOTE=Wee Bairn] Jimmy Fallon? I wonder if he’ll have time in his busy movie career to do it? Wasn’t he supposed to be a big star after leaving SNL, and all he’s done in four years is Taxi, Fever Pitch and Doogal? I’d say its insanity to have him host a talk show since he has never displayed any skill at interviewing people, but it hasn’t hurt Carson Daly. [/QUOTE] The fact that Carson Daly has a show and continues to have a show is a mystery. I think the execs at the network just don’t ever stay up late enough to see that hot mess. Unfortunately, I have insomnia a lot and no cable TV so that’s the only station without infomercials. I guess I’m also a little bit of a masochist sometimes I roll my eyes so much during that show it hurts. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/29 "2008-02-28T16:32:12Z")
[QUOTE=singular1] I have no cite, but yesterday on the way home I heard an announcer say that Leno had decided to stay. [/QUOTE] Stay how? His contract ends in 2009 and Conan’s begins when Leno’s ends. I heard some talk yesterday that ABC and Fox might offer Leno an 11:30 hosting spot, however. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/30 "2008-02-28T16:37:07Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] Conan O’Brien cannot do middle of the road jokes. Have you ever seen him host an awards show? That is just not his forte. If he tries to go middle of the road the show will fail. If he sticks with his current show, it will not play to a wide enough audience and the show will fail. Either way, Conan will not be on longer than three years. [/QUOTE] Anyone else picture \*\*Two and a Half Inches of Fun \*\* rocking back and forth on his chair on the porch? 1982: “David Letterman? The Starland Vocal guy? He can’t do late night. He will not be on longer than three years.” 1992: “Jay Leno? Instead of David Letterman? He will be on no longer than three years.” 1993: “Conan O’Brian? Who? He will be on no longer than three years.” ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/31 "2008-02-28T17:37:30Z")
Triumph deserves more airing.He is hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/32 "2008-02-28T17:54:11Z")
[QUOTE=gonzomax] Triumph deserves more airing.He is hilarious. [/QUOTE] for me to _poop_ on! 🙂 I know that’s not quite the right lead-in, but I couldn’t resist ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/33 "2008-02-28T18:14:28Z")
[QUOTE=atomicbadgerrace] Things we’ll probably continue to see: The masturbating bear [/QUOTE] I’ll stick my neck out and say I _guarantee_ there will be no “masturbating bear” jokes when Conan takes over _The Tonight Show._ He won’t have carte blanche to make any jokes he wants. The network suits control the content, and they’ll want Conan to play more for _The Tonight Show_’s older demographic. Nevermind the suits, Conan himself will know better. I hope he doesn’t move to L.A. _The Tonight Show,_ fun fact, was based in New York until [midway through Johnny Carson’s run](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonight_Show) on the show. I’d like to see it move back. New York is funnier than L.A. The celebrities will fly where they’re asked to fly. I think Jimmy Fallon is very charming, and I’ll be interested to see his version of _Late Night,_ if the rumors are true. He’d be a nice contrast with fellow American Craig Ferguson. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/34 "2008-02-28T18:20:30Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] Stay how? His contract ends in 2009 and Conan’s begins when Leno’s ends. I heard some talk yesterday that ABC and Fox might offer Leno an 11:30 hosting spot, however. [/QUOTE] Which could get NBC to offer Leno a new contract and pay off Conan. I don’t like Leno, but the guy has the ratings. My money is on Leno staying and Conan collecting. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/35 "2008-02-28T18:37:27Z")
Johnny Carson left the Tonight Show because he felt it was time to leave. Johnny then went into seclusion and was hardly ever seen again until the day he died. Leno, on the other hand, has no plans to go quietly into the night and will, at the very least, continue to do his shows in Las Vegas and other arenas. He has said he would like to continue The Tonight Show. NBC is stupid for not letting him continue. His ratings are still very high, he continually beats all the competition and has become a television legend. I believe I read his show still brings in $13 million a WEEK in ad revenue! To force him to leave in order to put Conan into that slot is simply stupid. ABC and Fox would love to get Leno for a late night show…and they are offering more money and some nice incentives (an additional follow up show like Letterman has with Late Late Show). The executives at NBC have not been known for their wise programming schedules in recent years, but this could be the biggest, dumbass blunder they have ever made. It might just send that network into a nosedive that will takes years to recover. Replacing Leno when he is in no hurry to leave? I think it was good old Ann Landers who said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/36 "2008-02-28T19:20:17Z")
Conan is a genius. Leno is an unfunny hack. When Conan takes over, the Tonight Show will get a lot funnier. And $10 says the Masturbating Bear stays. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402.md?page=1)