NBC is retooling the format of Jay Leno’s 10 p.m. weeknight strip to make it more closely resemble his old latenight talk show, B&C reports.

Leno’s signature comedy bits, including “Headlines,” and “Jay Walking,” are now airing after his monologue, instead of at the end of the show where they were moved when the comic shifted from latenight to primetime.

The changes come as the show on Monday hit a 1.2 rating in Nielsen fast nationals, matching its series low.

http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2009/11/leno-format-being-retooled-as.php

They probably should have been doing it this way from the beginning.

I'm glad they made the changes. Now I only have to DVR the first 30 minutes of each show to see the parts I like (unless Battle of the Jaywalk All Stars is airing, then I have to DVR the whole show). As much as I like Jay Leno, the show is pretty boring.

....prepare yourself to be bombarded with "audience participation" and "internet" contests {Win a trip to see Jay Leno LIVE, all expenses paid!! Do you think YOU'RE funnier than Jay?? Win a chance to be "Jay's sidekick" for ONE WEEK!!! Tell Jay your funniest joke at nbc.com, and you'll be IN the audience when he tells it- LIVE- on February 30th!! COULD YOU HOST "THE JAY LENO SHOW" FOR ONE NIGHT??? Send in your tape or DVD and find out!!! Get run over by one of Jay's classic cars!! All hospital expenses paid!!!!!}....with "keno" or "bingo" nights to follow?

:sleep:

I have to admit I was pretty psyched when his show first premired (especially since Jerry Seinfeld was the first guest!), but I got bored of it pretty quick. I was reading in People tonight that even Jay thinks that NBC made a mistake taking him out of his Late Night spot and giving it to Conan (who is "consistantly losing to Letterman"). I like Conan, but you think NBC could be any dumber??

They probably should have been doing it this way from the beginning.
Exactly. Other than the monologue and Headlines, the show itself doesn't interest me. From what I hear, Conan's ratings aren't exactly up to scratch either. Conan's oddball sense of humor is much better suited for Late Night. Way to go, NBC, for screwing up again!! ohno:

NBC is retooling the format of Jay Leno’s 10 p.m. weeknight strip to make it more closely resemble his old latenight talk show, B&C reports.

Leno’s signature comedy bits, including “Headlines,” and “Jay Walking,” are now airing after his monologue, instead of at the end of the show where they were moved when the comic shifted from latenight to primetime.

The changes come as the show on Monday hit a 1.2 rating in Nielsen fast nationals, matching its series low.

http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2009/11/leno-format-being-retooled-as.php


One change they could make is moving the show to 11:35pm

One change they could make is moving the show to 11:35pm
YES!!!!!! :D

One change they could make is moving the show to 11:35pm

Completely agree. NBC screwed up bigtime, and now they need to fix it. Move Leno back to The Tonight Show where he's best suited, get Conan's ass back to 12:35, and just axe Jimmy Fallon altogether, who is one of the worst latenight hosts I've ever seen. Unfortunately, it may take another 9 months before we actually see that happen.

Completely agree. NBC screwed up bigtime, and now they need to fix it. Move Leno back to The Tonight Show where he's best suited, get Conan's ass back to 12:35, and just axe Jimmy Fallon altogether, who is one of the worst latenight hosts I've ever seen. Unfortunately, it may take another 9 months before we actually see that happen.

I agree, but then NBC would have to admit they were WRONG and you know that's not going to happen. Under the circumstances, I think Jay is doing the best he can, so it's really NBC's loss. Too bad he didn't jump ship and go to another network. Would have served them right!

I agree, but then NBC would have to admit they were WRONG and you know that's not going to happen. Under the circumstances, I think Jay is doing the best he can, so it's really NBC's loss. Too bad he didn't jump ship and go to another network. Would have served them right!
As long as NBC keeps Jeff Zucker at the helm, they deserve whatever happens!!

I agree, but then NBC would have to admit they were WRONG and you know that's not going to happen. Under the circumstances, I think Jay is doing the best he can, so it's really NBC's loss. Too bad he didn't jump ship and go to another network. Would have served them right!

Agreed. Leno will surely be around for the rest of the season, and of course the summer, where I bet he'll actually start finding an audience. I wonder if it would have been a good idea for NBC to launch the show back in June, to gain an audience over the summer. Too late now I guess.

I really don't see how much else they can fix the show. Jay is great, but he's much better on The Tonight Show, which is obvious. Something just doesn't feel right on his new show.

As long as NBC keeps Jeff Zucker at the helm, they deserve whatever happens!!
:yeahthat

As long as NBC keeps Jeff Zucker at the helm, they deserve whatever happens!!

Even after Comcast bought out NBC they kept him around as president, and even gave him a promotion. What are they thinking? Silverman left, and NBC is still doing terribly. Do not they not see the obvious?

Even after Comcast bought out NBC they kept him around as president, and even gave him a promotion. What are they thinking? Silverman left, and NBC is still doing terribly. Do not they not see the obvious?
Heck, WE could do a better job running NBC than these jokers!!

Heck, WE could do a better job running NBC than these jokers!!
Where do I send my resume?

Where do I send my resume?
As soon as you find out, let me know so I can mine out!!

...was in January 1957, after Steve Allen permanently moved from his nightly 11:30 show to his weekly Sunday night variety show opposite Ed Sullivan [he did both between July 1956 and January '57, but the network didn't want him to "overextend" his energy and talent by doing both live shows]. To replace him, NBC decided to launch a late night version of "THE TODAY SHOW" entitled, "TONIGHT! AMERICA AFTER DARK", initially featuring Jack Lescoulie (of "TODAY") as host, featuring live remotes from nightclubs, theaters, and wherever else live TV could go at the time; Broadway and Hollywood columnists delivering entertainment news and interviews, and some live musical performances. The result was a bonafide disaster: very few people wanted to see a late night version of "TODAY"; not only did ratings plummet (along with several changes in cast), most NBC affiliates dropped the show in favor of their own local programming [mostly old movies]. After six months, it was decided they'd return to the "desk and sofa" talk/variety format, with Jack Paar presiding. Once he began his "TONIGHT" show in July 1957, viewers- and those NBC stations that weren't carrying "AMERICA AFTER DARK"- returned, and the network enjoyed at least five years of healthy ratings and ad revenue before Johnny Carson succeeded Paar in the fall of 1962.

The current situation {with Conan} isn't as bad as it was 52 years ago, but unless Jay shows some signs of ratings improvement, the network's prime-time schedule is REALLY going to suffer. Sure, NBC figured Leno was cheaper to produce every night, but it's going to cost them in the long-run when the rest of the schedule around him collapses....and it's starting to.

:tv:

As soon as you find out, let me know so I can mine out!!me too

...was in January 1957, after Steve Allen permanently moved from his nightly 11:30 show to his weekly Sunday night variety show opposite Ed Sullivan [he did both between July 1956 and January '57, but the network didn't want him to "overextend" his energy and talent by doing both live shows]. To replace him, NBC decided to launch a late night version of "THE TODAY SHOW" entitled, "TONIGHT! AMERICA AFTER DARK", initially featuring Jack Lescoulie (of "TODAY") as host, featuring live remotes from nightclubs, theaters, and wherever else live TV could go at the time; Broadway and Hollywood columnists delivering entertainment news and interviews, and some live musical performances. The result was a bonafide disaster: very few people wanted to see a late night version of "TODAY"; not only did ratings plummet (along with several changes in cast), most NBC affiliates dropped the show in favor of their own local programming [mostly old movies]. After six months, it was decided they'd return to the "desk and sofa" talk/variety format, with Jack Paar presiding. Once he began his "TONIGHT" show in July 1957, viewers- and those NBC stations that weren't carrying "AMERICA AFTER DARK"- returned, and the network enjoyed at least five years of healthy ratings and ad revenue before Johnny Carson succeeded Paar in the fall of 1962.

The current situation {with Conan} isn't as bad as it was 52 years ago, but unless Jay shows some signs of ratings improvement, the network's prime-time schedule is REALLY going to suffer. Sure, NBC figured Leno was cheaper to produce every night, but it's going to cost them in the long-run when the rest of the schedule around him collapses....and it's starting to.

:tv:
Thanks for that history lesson! I wasn't aware that NBC had tried a different format between the Steve Allen era and the Jack Paar era. I don't think NBC's primetime schedule is going to collapse around Jay though. It's already the lowest rated schedule on Network television. Something that's already broken can't collapse.

Thanks for that history lesson! I wasn't aware that NBC had tried a different format between the Steve Allen era and the Jack Paar era. I don't think NBC's primetime schedule is going to collapse around Jay though. It's already the lowest rated schedule on Network television. Something that's already broken can't collapse.
What a shame. Jay and his staff didn't deserve this. ohno:

What a shame. Jay and his staff didn't deserve this. ohno:
You're right. If things do indeed get even worse at NBC Jay and his staff should not be blamed. That blame belongs squarely with the suits at NBC!!!

You're right. If things do indeed get even worse at NBC Jay and his staff should not be blamed. That blame belongs squarely with the suits at NBC!!!
Hey, they're the ones dumb enough to keep Jeff Zucker - so whatever happens, they were stupid enough not to get rid of him!! :mad:

Some members in my family would like to see The Jay Leno Show run for four years. Others would expect the show to last for two years or only one. Jay Leno has in talk shows since 1992. If the Jay Leno Show is cancelled, my family thinks he should retire effective immediately. As soon as NBC-TV gets new highly-rated shows (which is impossible in the present situation), the Jay Leno Show should be gotten rid of. Is the show gonna save NBC, or is it going to be a debacle?

Some members in my family would like to see The Jay Leno Show run for four years. Others would expect the show to last for two years or only one. Jay Leno has in talk shows since 1992. If the Jay Leno Show is cancelled, my family thinks he should retire effective immediately. As soon as NBC-TV gets new highly-rated shows (which is impossible in the present situation), the Jay Leno Show should be gotten rid of. Is the show gonna save NBC, or is it going to be a debacle?
I don't think he should retire - it's the network that screwed up in this case. I think he would be an asset to any network!!

.... and he's doing a damn good job at it! Unfortunately, most viewers expect a little more from him than a watered-down prime-time version of "THE TONIGHT SHOW"- hence the shift towards more comedy segments, some "bigger guests", and more "tie-ins" to the network's prime-time schedule [his best ratings so far (such as they are) were on Tuesdays, immediately following "THE BIGGEST LOSER" {and what does that tell you about NBC these days?}]. Even if Leno gave away free dishes and had a weekly "Bank Night" and "Keno Night" (as most movie theaters did during the turbulent '30s), his audience still wouldn't be enough to match "the competition". NBC still has a "wait and see" attitude....but expect a major upheaval as early as this spring.

:tv:

^ I agree - it'll be interesting to see what happens in the spring. Hopefully, Jay will come out on top!

Since Thanksgiving week, Jay's ratings have been up. With more repeats lately, it seems like more people are finding his show. I mean, I highly doubt they were expecting much more than 5-6 million and a 1.5-1.8 demo for a regular episode, and thats pretty much what hes getting.

^ :yeahthat

I don't think he should retire - it's the network that screwed up in this case. I think he would be an asset to any network!!

EXACTLY! Leno ROCKS! He's by far the funniest guy on TV and he'll stay on major network TV as LONG AS HE WANTS!!

They interviewed an ABC exec earlier in the year and he said they would've signed Leno immediately if he left NBC.

Leno's ratings are improving lately and he'll probably do well enough to last AT LEAST 2 of the 4 years if not all 4 years.

Leno has tons of energy and is VERY driven. He works at Vegas and even does FREE shows when he's worth over $100 MILLION and could sit on a beachside home and not work a second more for the rest of his life!

Since Thanksgiving week, Jay's ratings have been up. With more repeats lately, it seems like more people are finding his show. I mean, I highly doubt they were expecting much more than 5-6 million and a 1.5-1.8 demo for a regular episode, and thats pretty much what hes getting.

Right plus Leno is on 5 TIMES a week so he get's 25 to 30 million viewers a week. I know many of those are the same viewers but you catch my drift.

Those STUPID DISGUSTING DUMBASS CRIME SHOWS are only on ONCE a week so of course many of them get more viewers. Leno gets more viewers per week than ALL of them.

I can't understand why people want to watch FAKE crime shows that even cops say are not accurate. They are full of rape, murder, torture, bludgeonings, stabbings, robbery, etc. etc.

If you want TRUE crime then watch America's Most Wanted or Unsolved Mysteries.

Comedy in prime time BLOWS AWAY crime anyday!!

EXACTLY! Leno ROCKS! He's by far the funniest guy on TV and he'll stay on major network TV as LONG AS HE WANTS!!

They interviewed an ABC exec earlier in the year and he said they would've signed Leno immediately if he left NBC.

Leno's ratings are improving lately and he'll probably do well enough to last AT LEAST 2 of the 4 years if not all 4 years.

Leno has tons of energy and is VERY driven. He works at Vegas and even does FREE shows when he's worth over $100 MILLION and could sit on a beachside home and not work a second more for the rest of his life!
:yeahthat Have you ever read his Headlines books? Those are awesome!! :D

Right plus Leno is on 5 TIMES a week so he get's 25 to 30 million viewers a week. I know many of those are the same viewers but you catch my drift.

Those STUPID DISGUSTING DUMBASS CRIME SHOWS are only on ONCE a week so of course many of them get more viewers. Leno gets more viewers per week than ALL of them.

I can't understand why people want to watch FAKE crime shows that even cops say are not accurate. They are full of rape, murder, torture, bludgeonings, stabbings, robbery, etc. etc.

If you want TRUE crime then watch America's Most Wanted or Unsolved Mysteries.

Comedy in prime time BLOWS AWAY crime anyday!!

Do people mainly watch things for their factual accuracy in movies/tv?

I tried watching a show, The Wire, that is said to be one of the most realistic police shows made. It took me a while to get into it because it was slow; no shoot-outs in every episode or high-speed chases everyday.

Real life is boring and nobody wants to be bored.

Do people mainly watch things for their factual accuracy in movies/tv?

I tried watching a show, The Wire, that is said to be one of the most realistic police shows made. It took me a while to get into it because it was slow; no shoot-outs in every episode or high-speed chases everyday.

Real life is boring and nobody wants to be bored.
Well, Barney Miller combined the best of both worlds - cops and comedy. Plus real life cops said it was the most realistic cop show they'd ever seen. :cool:

Right plus Leno is on 5 TIMES a week so he get's 25 to 30 million viewers a week. I know many of those are the same viewers but you catch my drift.

Those STUPID DISGUSTING DUMBASS CRIME SHOWS are only on ONCE a week so of course many of them get more viewers. Leno gets more viewers per week than ALL of them.

I can't understand why people want to watch FAKE crime shows that even cops say are not accurate. They are full of rape, murder, torture, bludgeonings, stabbings, robbery, etc. etc.

If you want TRUE crime then watch America's Most Wanted or Unsolved Mysteries.

Comedy in prime time BLOWS AWAY crime anyday!!
I love crime shows. It beats reality anyday. :D

Well, Barney Miller combined the best of both worlds - cops and comedy. Plus real life cops said it was the most realistic cop show they'd ever seen. :cool:

Never got into that one.

:yeahthat Have you ever read his Headlines books? Those are awesome!! :Di just got one as a christmas gift along with an autographed leno tv guide cover

i just got one as a christmas gift along with an autographed leno tv guide cover

I got an autographed picture of Leno on his Harley! NBC mailed it to me for free during the last month of the Tonight Show before it became a disaster when Conan the Barbarian took over.

Leno even personaly put MY NAME on the photo and told me thanks for watching! I STILL can't believe Leno actually wrote my name on it because I thought celebrities just sign a bunch of photos like a factory assembly line. It takes longer and is more cumbersome if you personalize each photo.

I also spoke to an LA Times reporter who has met Leno several times and she said Leno is a really nice guy in person.

Leno ROCKS!! He's also by FAR the funniest guy on TV!

:yeahthat Have you ever read his Headlines books? Those are awesome!! :D

Yes, I have one of his headline books plus I have his autobiography and another book a journalist wrote on Leno plus I have his book on tape. LOL!

I really recommend listening to his book on tape. It's very interesting and funny. He's led an AMAZING life spending most of his life on the road all over the country and having all sorts of experiences.

But NOTHING beats watching him on the Jay Leno Show!! :cool:

What I don't understand is why they moved him in the first place. Wasn't he beating Letterman in the ratings? I will never understand why networks feel the need to fix something that isn't broken.:rolleyes:

If his ratings were falling, okay, maybe it's time to make a change. But this changeover doesn't seem to have benefited anyone...except David Letterman.:D

What I don't understand is why they moved him in the first place. Wasn't he beating Letterman in the ratings? I will never understand why networks feel the need to fix something that isn't broken.:rolleyes:

If his ratings were falling, okay, maybe it's time to make a change. But this changeover doesn't seem to have benefited anyone...except David Letterman.:D

EXACTLY. Even Hollywood insiders were SHOCKED that NBC was dumping a perennial number 1 guy like Leno.

I even saw an interview on CNN with someone from the TV Insider or something and she still couldn't believe that NBC were so stupid to dump the number 1 guy in late night.

All you can say is NBC are idiots but at least they've done the right thing and given Jay a 4 year deal.

Plus, I do kind of like seeing Jay at 9 PM central as opposed to 10:30 central. The only slight drawback is the 9 PM local news sometimes is good but they show news again at 10 PM so it's no big deal.

Never got into that one.
To each his own!! :cool:

Yes, I have one of his headline books plus I have his autobiography and another book a journalist wrote on Leno plus I have his book on tape. LOL!

I really recommend listening to his book on tape. It's very interesting and funny. He's led an AMAZING life spending most of his life on the road all over the country and having all sorts of experiences.

But NOTHING beats watching him on the Jay Leno Show!! :cool:
I also have an autographed copy of his children's book If Roast Beef Could Fly. :D

I feel bad for playing a role in Jay's horrible ratings but 10pm is just not a good slot for me because of sports. Monday Night Football went off around 11:20 last year while jay started at 11:35pm. Also most NBA games are from 7pm to 11pm which means last year they were over when Jay started.

Nothing personal but 10pm just doesn't work for me unless it's the summertime-lol

I feel bad for playing a role in Jay's horrible ratings but 10pm is just not a good slot for me because of sports. Monday Night Football went off around 11:20 last year while jay started at 11:35pm. Also most NBA games are from 7pm to 11pm which means last year they were over when Jay started.

Nothing personal but 10pm just doesn't work for me unless it's the summertime-lol

Nobody watches NBA anymore so the won't affect Leno. Monday Night Football is not even on free tv anymore so it will only affect him a little. Not too much.

I also have an autographed copy of his children's book If Roast Beef Could Fly. :D

How did you get it autographed?

Nobody watches NBA anymore so the won't affect Leno. Monday Night Football is not even on free tv anymore so it will only affect him a little. Not too much.


My point is that everyone already had their set TV schedule before Leno came to the 10pm slot. That was the main reason me and my mom predicted he would fail.

...some NBC affiliates are starting to grumble about Jay's terrible ratings, saying in effect, "He's ruining our chances of getting a decent audience for our 11 o'clock/10 o'clock news!!". And when the local stations start to complain....

:lookaroun

...some NBC affiliates are starting to grumble about Jay's terrible ratings, saying in effect, "He's ruining our chances of getting a decent audience for our 11 o'clock/10 o'clock news!!". And when the local stations start to complain....

:lookaroun


The NBC affiliate in Philly is defintely complaining

How did you get it autographed?
A friend of mine went to NYC and bought a copy of it at a bookstore there. Jay had already presigned the books, so he wasn't there for a signing or anything.

The NBC affiliate in Philly is defintely complaining

But NBC holds all the cards. If the NBC affiliate drops Leno (they won't) then NBC will just drop them as an affiliate and they'll no longer be a major station. Then they'll have NOTHING at all to show since they'll lose ALL NBC programming and their ratings will REALLY drop!!

What are they going to show at 10 PM?? Paid Programming? :lol:

But NBC holds all the cards. If the NBC affiliate drops Leno (they won't) then they'll have NOTHING at all to show and their ratings will REALLY drop!!

What are they going to show at 10 PM?? Paid Programming? :lol:
SHHHHHH!!! Don't give them any ideas!!! :eek: :crazy: :lol: