The NBC debacle regarding its Late Night programming was interesting to watch. It inspired a surge of support for Conan and a backlash against Leno, and it shed a new light on the way programmers bend to the old fashioned way of doing business instead of embracing a new model.
I have been a Conan O'Brien fan since I was an adolescent. I grew up staying up late and watching his hilarious show, with its off-the-wall humor and tongue in cheek production. It was a gem of a show that sucked in Gen X & Gen Y viewers and kept us hooked over the years.
When it was announced in 2006 that Conan would take over for Leno in 2009, I was happy for the host that kept me in stitches in the midnight hour. But, I had reservations as well. Leno and Conan are two different comedic birds, and I wasn't sure if NBC would really let Conan fly.
Seven months into his stint as the host of The Tonight Show, my reservations came to light, and NBC did indeed clip Conan's wings. The end result of Conan's Tonight Show run was foreshadowed before his gig even began, when NBC gave Leno a prime time show. This action changed the entire lead-in for late night programming. Plus, Leno never really gave the Tonight Show up. It was like he clinging on, only at an earlier time.
Throughout all of this, I have though Conan has acted like a true class act and I believe his comedic talents have shone even brighter than they were before. I truly enjoy watching him on TV and will continue to watch him as he continues elsewhere. Here's hoping Conan has a great new show come Fall.
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