Chelsea Handler *May* Take Over For Jay Leno & 'The Tonight Show' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-12-2011, 10:32 PM

Love her or hate her, Chelsea Handler is already one of the most bankable female entertainers in Hollywood right now.

She's the host of E! late-night success "Chelsea Lately."

She's a New York Times bestselling author (twice-over, now).

She's got a new movie role in the works.

And she's the guiding hand behind a second E! show ("After Lately") and a network pilot that's looking awfully likely to get picked up (a sitcom based on her book "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea").

Handler -- whose signature saucy, unrelenting comedy has hit a lucrative nerve with audiences -- may very well be the first woman to take over a late night network show, now that she's proved herself a consistently sound investment.

And down the line, it may be "The Tonight Show" that wants to buy in. Here's how the TV institution could end up in Handler's grasp:

Jay Leno may have recouped "The Tonight Show" from Conan O'Brien, but his return has felt deflated, and his ratings (though they've recovered from early limping) aren't what they used to be. No matter when he actually leaves, the stage already feels set for his stepping down.

Do we think NBC, still smarting with embarrassment over history's most famous late-night debacle, would take a massive risk and give Handler a "Tonight Show" whirl? No.

But -- especially now that she's getting cozy with Peacock execs via her pilot -- Handler's name will likely be thrown into the programming musical chairs-mix whenever Leno does depart.

If Jimmy Fallon takes over, Handler could move into his "Late Night" spot -- a slot that Fallon has pumped up via his innovative, positive, web-friendly show. (Speaking of "positive," he and the sour-funny Handler could make good foils for each other.)

Or -- if they want to lock down Handler without waiting for Leno to go -- NBC could cancel Carson Daly's low-profile "Last Call" to make room for her.

That move might cost them a little more, since Daly's show costs next to nothing to make -- and Handler would likely require some serious financial motivation to move into the wee hours of the morning.

But she'd have a good long-term reason to take the job, even if it sets her back to 1:30 a.m.

It still puts her in line for the "Tonight Show" throne. (Daly is not in this line, but that's because his music-centric show is a totally different format.)

At that point, all Handler has to do is wait -- for people to change jobs, for female-centric primetime comedy to bolster the push for a late-night lady -- and keep up her winning streak.

In the meantime, if you want to know how well Handler stacks up against Leno, watch her recent appearance on his show -- and judge for yourself who's the sharper comedian.

Leno seems a tad nervous, no? Maybe he'd feel more comfortable if they switched chairs.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/chels...#ixzz1MCCGnLko

mstewart · 05-13-2011, 12:08 AM

I lost respect for The Tonight Show after what was done and the way it was handled. Conan is having the last laugh and he is back to his old goofy silly self on TBS.

Marvo301 · 05-13-2011, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

I lost respect for The Tonight Show after what was done and the way it was handled. Conan is having the last laugh and he is back to his old goofy silly self on TBS.

It's not the Tonight Show you should be losing respect for it's the suits at NBC who handled the whole thing so badly that you should be losing respect for. As for Chelsea Handler she's right where she belongs. On Cable. Her brand of humor could never work on network TV. I become more convinced all the time that Jimmy Fallon will be Jay Leno's successor on the tonight Show.

TV Knowledge Fan · 05-13-2011, 02:56 AM

...except for Joan Rivers, no other woman (and I'm not talking about "one night stand" guest appearances) has ever successfully hosted '"THE TONIGHT SHOW"- nor does NBC want a permanent female host on the show. They're primarily looking for male viewers, 18-49, more than women, to please their "big ticket" advertisers on the show- and that means a male host.

Retro4Life · 05-13-2011, 09:51 AM

That loud whirring sound you hear is Johnny Carson spinning in his grave.

70s show watcher · 05-13-2011, 07:43 PM

i can only stand her in small doses and i imagene that most tonight show viewers feel the same

Retro4Life · 05-13-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

i can only stand her in small doses and i imagene that most tonight show viewers feel the same

I can stand her when my television is turned off, otherwise I'd be hard pressed to think of a less funny person.

HuntingtonM15 · 05-13-2011, 09:14 PM

I love Chelsea, but I'd rather E! extend her show to an hour rather than her take over The Tonight Show.

Janice · 05-19-2011, 01:48 AM

Crude, rude and offensive is her brand of humor. She would have to censor herself too much to fit in as host of The Tonight Show. I don't think that's what NBC is looking for in a host.

dakert · 05-19-2011, 10:51 PM

Chelsea, Chuy and the gang on at 11:30. I could go for that but she seems more at home at 2am on E!

mets82 · 05-19-2011, 11:03 PM

I think Cheslea would be tough on NBC because she is very outspoken and she is way different than Jay Leno. You have to agree though that she is very popular.

In the first post here, its mentioned that Conan is having the last laugh. He may be, but I think The Tonight Show is laughing to because I read somewhere and I dont know if it can be confirmed but Conan cant have any of his trademarks (In the Year 2000, Celebrity Survey, Triumph, etc.) on the Conan show which I think stinks for Conan because its just not the same w/o those bits. I'd be more pissed not at the fact that Conan cant use his old bits.

TV Knowledge Fan · 05-21-2011, 03:02 AM

...NBC has taken an option on Chelsea's recent book "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea", with the intent of trying to turn it into a sitcom starring herself for mid-season, in 2012.

robyrob · 05-21-2011, 10:28 AM

Chelsea hosting the Tonight SHow? - not gonna happen, although I'm sure there is plenty of other projects she could do that work on NBC.

...and "After Lately" is just a painfully boring mess.

KurtfromPitts · 05-21-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

That loud whirring sound you hear is Johnny Carson spinning in his grave.

Not to mention Jack Paar and Steve Allen.

70s show watcher · 05-22-2011, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KurtfromPitts

Not to mention Jack Paar and Steve Allen.

and ernie kovacs too

05-12-2011, 10:32 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	*Chelsea Handler May* Take Over For Jay Leno & 'The Tonight Show'** Love her or hate her, Chelsea Handler is already one of the most bankable female entertainers in Hollywood right now. She's the host of E! late-night success "Chelsea Lately." She's a New York Times bestselling author (twice-over, now). She's got a new movie role in the works. And she's the guiding hand behind a second E! show ("After Lately") and a network pilot that's looking awfully likely to get picked up (a sitcom based on her book "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea"). Handler -- whose signature saucy, unrelenting comedy has hit a lucrative nerve with audiences -- may very well be the first woman to take over a late night network show, now that she's proved herself a consistently sound investment. And down the line, it may be "The Tonight Show" that wants to buy in. Here's how the TV institution could end up in Handler's grasp: Jay Leno may have recouped "The Tonight Show" from Conan O'Brien, but his return has felt deflated, and his ratings (though they've recovered from early limping) aren't what they used to be. No matter when he actually leaves, the stage already feels set for his stepping down. Do we think NBC, still smarting with embarrassment over history's most famous late-night debacle, would take a massive risk and give Handler a "Tonight Show" whirl? No. But -- especially now that she's getting cozy with Peacock execs via her pilot -- Handler's name will likely be thrown into the programming musical chairs-mix whenever Leno does depart. If Jimmy Fallon takes over, Handler could move into his "Late Night" spot -- a slot that Fallon has pumped up via his innovative, positive, web-friendly show. (Speaking of "positive," he and the sour-funny Handler could make good foils for each other.) Or -- if they want to lock down Handler without waiting for Leno to go -- NBC could cancel Carson Daly's low-profile "Last Call" to make room for her. That move might cost them a little more, since Daly's show costs next to nothing to make -- and Handler would likely require some serious financial motivation to move into the wee hours of the morning. But she'd have a good long-term reason to take the job, even if it sets her back to 1:30 a.m. It still puts her in line for the "Tonight Show" throne. (Daly is not in this line, but that's because his music-centric show is a totally different format.) At that point, all Handler has to do is wait -- for people to change jobs, for female-centric primetime comedy to bolster the push for a late-night lady -- and keep up her winning streak. In the meantime, if you want to know how well Handler stacks up against Leno, watch her recent appearance on his show -- and judge for yourself who's the sharper comedian. Leno seems a tad nervous, no? Maybe he'd feel more comfortable if they switched chairs. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/chels...#ixzz1MCCGnLko
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05-13-2011, 02:56 AM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	However... ...except for Joan Rivers, no other woman (and I'm not talking about "one night stand" guest appearances) has ever successfully hosted '"THE TONIGHT SHOW"- nor does NBC want a permanent female host on the show. They're primarily looking for male viewers, 18-49, more than women, to please their "big ticket" advertisers on the show- and that means a male host.

05-13-2011, 09:51 AM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	That loud whirring sound you hear is Johnny Carson spinning in his grave.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

05-21-2011, 03:02 AM	#12
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	In any case... ...NBC has taken an option on Chelsea's recent book "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea", with the intent of trying to turn it into a sitcom starring herself for mid-season, in 2012.

05-21-2011, 10:28 AM	#13
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,200	Chelsea hosting the Tonight SHow? - not gonna happen, although I'm sure there is plenty of other projects she could do that work on NBC. ...and "After Lately" is just a painfully boring mess.
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05-13-2011, 12:08 AM	#2
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	I lost respect for The Tonight Show after what was done and the way it was handled. Conan is having the last laugh and he is back to his old goofy silly self on TBS.

05-13-2011, 07:43 PM	#6
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	i can only stand her in small doses and i imagene that most tonight show viewers feel the same

05-13-2011, 09:14 PM	#8
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	I love Chelsea, but I'd rather E! extend her show to an hour rather than her take over The Tonight Show.

05-19-2011, 01:48 AM	#9
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Crude, rude and offensive is her brand of humor. She would have to censor herself too much to fit in as host of The Tonight Show. I don't think that's what NBC is looking for in a host.

05-19-2011, 10:51 PM	#10
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Chelsea, Chuy and the gang on at 11:30. I could go for that but she seems more at home at 2am on E!

05-19-2011, 11:03 PM	#11
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	I think Cheslea would be tough on NBC because she is very outspoken and she is way different than Jay Leno. You have to agree though that she is very popular. In the first post here, its mentioned that Conan is having the last laugh. He may be, but I think The Tonight Show is laughing to because I read somewhere and I dont know if it can be confirmed but Conan cant have any of his trademarks (In the Year 2000, Celebrity Survey, Triumph, etc.) on the Conan show which I think stinks for Conan because its just not the same w/o those bits. I'd be more pissed not at the fact that Conan cant use his old bits.