When Carson retired, it was a genuine "Big Deal". The end of the Leno run .... not so much.

[Stinky The Clown]

What is really happening is a simply lineup change. Leno moves to an hour earlier and will revamp his show ... somewhat.

Conan will be doing the same.

When Carson left - after nearly twice the run of Leno - he was actually leaving. He was an intensely private man and we knew he would, indeed, retire.

Leno ..... who cares?

[BlooInBloo]

1. Leno's quitting?

That's nice.

[meegbear]

2. Johnny Carson was considered a TV icon ...

Leno is considered "Johnny Carson's replacement". No more. No less.

[KharmaTrain]

3. Why Should Anyone Remember Leno?

When you mention Carson, people can remember the Tea Time Movie or Karnak or Stump The Band. All that kept Leno going the past 10 years was Bill Clinton's penis.

[underpants]

4. 1) Leno is moving to 10PM 2) Carson was mostly on when there were 3 TV options

and none of those options had anything close to Carson on at 11:30

[WI_DEM]

5. I agree. Also, Johnny wanted Dave to get "Tonight" but Leno was better at playing nice with GE

and got the job.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Same old, same old. Exchange one smart-ass man for another. Ho, hum. nt

[spanone]

7. leno ain't goin' nowhere....he's staying on at nbc

[EOTE]

8. It's kind of like that substitute teacher who overstays her welcome.

She was only supposed to be in for a week or so while Miss Pennyapple recovered from appendicitis, but Miss Pennyapple decides she's had enough and wants to retire. So the substitute ends up staying the rest of the year even though she smells like old lawn clippings and makes everyone miserable. She tries to be the cool teacher, but it's obvious that she's trying WAY too hard and will never be anything more than a pale substitute for Miss Pennyapple.

[Iggo]

16. Yes. That's exactly what it's like!!!

:P

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

9. With Leno on, 5 nights a week between 10PM-11PM, what's going to happen to the Law

and Order shows? :(

I read that Medium will be moving to CBS.


It also seems that cable networks are now the place for good to great dramatic series.

[4lbs]

12. They'll either move to 9:00pm or to USA Network and join Criminal Intent.

USA Network is owned by NBC/Universal as well.

[DarbyUSMC]

22. Just one night a week (I think Thursday) between 10 and 11. One hour a week.

[Blue_Tires]

10. the farther we get away from the Carson era, the brighter that era shines

[2Design]

11. Now there is absolutely no reason to watch late night on nbc - Dave was always better anyway

These late night shows have just become stupid and advertising for new releases of books, albums, or movies - mostly trashy stuff - leno was mostly nasty to so many guests - I did not enjoy him - David is ok but again too much stupid stuff and the constant parade of 'advertisers' of the latest promotion - they have outlived their usefulness - Conan - I have never understood what anyone sees in him.

[4lbs]

13. Well, Leno's just moving to 10:00pm, he's not retiring entirely like Carson did.

Also, his new 10pm show is free-format variety, instead of the stricter format of The Tonight Show.

Notice that it's been monologue, then variety bit, then guest #1, then guest #2, then musical performance. That's the format of the show 95+ % of the time.

Now, Leno can have three guests and no musical performance, or one guest and two musical performances if he chooses.

He'll keep the same popular segments he had on The Tonight Show, like Jaywalking, Stuff found at the 99-cent store, Stuff Found on eBay, Truth in Labeling/Advertising, Celebrity Jeopardy, Battle of the Jaywalk Allstars, and Headlines.

I guess NBC figures that since Jay beat all the other late night shows 90+% of the time at the 11:30 time slot, he'd easily get twice the viewership and thus ratings at 10:00pm.

It would also cost NBC less per show to broadcast him at 10:00pm than it does to pay per episode for a one-hour drama.

Therefore, it's expected to be a ratings gold mine and huge profit-maker for NBC, justifying Leno's $20+ million annual salary.

[Stump]

14. I like Leno...

Carson, not so much. Sad to see the Tonight Show lose Jay.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Loved Johnny, and over time I got to love Jay

Don't care for Conan.

I watched Letterman tonight. Waiting for Jay's show in September.

[medeak]

15. my Dad knew Johnny Carson

a very humane person unlike most show biz people he worked with for 55 yrs. Johnny had the most respect and admiration for musicians as well...he would fly to Vegas after his show several times a week to hang with my Dad. Just a very nice man. We all miss him

[latebloomer]

20. Cool, how did your dad know him?

[Cleita]

17. I liked Conan the few times I have seen him, but I didn't like his all

white guy show tonight. It might have worked for Johnny Carson, but even he got a few girls on. I miss Kevin Eubanks and Vicki too.

[MaineDem]

19. I didn't like the show at all

I had to turn it off.

[JeanGrey]

21. Everybody. The ratings are tanking.

Count me in - Conan? He isn't even funny. I'll be watching Leno.

[HopeOverFear]

23. I agree it was very anticlimactic