What a shock. Jay Leno's prime-time stint didn't work...or more correctly - "Met the unfunny humor of network execs without the power of 60 years of show history behind him". Leno finally had to face the reality that us viewers have known for years - it may be a good show, it may be funny, but if there aren't enough people to tell the network that they like it; it WILL be cancelled quickly.
Enough about Leno though, we all knew that it was going to be either Fireworks or Fire. What we all didn't expect was that NBC would continue to push Leno onto an audience that has clearly moved on. The network has a proven cash cow that has worked for years and they want to move Conan & the Tonight Show aside. The big question is...WHY? My guess would be this: Jay Leno is under contract. Why pay Leno millions to just sit at home and add cars to his collection. Leno may not be the best show, but he does have viewer following and it brings in money to off-set what they are going to have to pay him regardless. But in this process, they are going to tinker with 60 years of history on The Tonight Show and move it back to the Late Show time-slot.
NBC take note, there is a second way to Save the Tonight Show & Conan & Leno! Here is the secret: Ed McMahon! Yep, you read that right. You still don't understand? Let me explain:
Conan has been given the reigns of The Tonight Show and has already publicly said that he would not stay if the show was moved back to follow Leno. Leno is still under contract and you have to pay him millions no matter what; and Leno does still draw an audience. With those obstacles, there is only one remaining option: Combine them. Keep Conan as the Host of The Tonight Show. Add Jay Leno as the Sidekick/Co-host. Bring back an era unlike any other when Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon hosted the show. It will definitely take some getting used to and the tension itself will draw MORE people to watch the show than ever before. I know that I would tune in.
How about you? Do you think it's time for Leno to take one for the team and play second fiddle to Conan?