Late Night Show Debate

The recent buzz in the media lately has been all about the late night television debacle between “Tonight” show host and comedian Conan O’Brien, and late night show host Jay Leno of the “Jay Leno Show”. The trouble started when NBC executives moved the “Tonight” show from its scheduled 11:35 p.m. Eastern Time slot to 12:05 a.m. to make room for the “Jay Leno Show”, this was done to combat the unfavorable ratings of Leno’s earlier scheduled show. The deal as describe by NBC was to give Leno back his old late night time spot, and to give O’Brien the option to do his show at the later time slot of 12:05 a.m. Luckily for O’Brien the entire incident has boosted his popularity and put him on the radar of other networks searching for late night talent. Without missing a beat the media has portrayed the incident into an all out debate cause people to choose sides and pledge their allegiance to either the red-headed “Tonight” show host, or the long jawed Jay Leno. Yet the true question around the University of Tampa college campus is does anyone even care?

When asked about the late night television debate, University of Tampa senior Eric Elmer had this to say “I really never paid much attention to any late night talk shows especially the ones hosted by Jay Leno or Conan O’Brien, but in this s argument I’d have to say I’m with Coco, he just seems funnier I mean he’s got red hair who doesn’t find that amusing.” The Coco nickname has been started by Conan O’Brien fans and has become somewhat of an internet sensation. Elmer also added “I think it’s funny more and more celebrities get attention these days for being in some sort of scandal or something instead of actually being talented.”

James Rossini another University of Tampa senior said “I don’t watch either of the two shows, so I am going to go with Steven Colbert from the show the “Colbert Report” I’d rather watch him any day then Jay Leno or O’Brien those shows just aren’t amusing to me.” So as it seems college students at the University of Tampa have little concern for the issues of late night television talk shows and the ongoing conflict of their scheduled programming.

O’Brien has voiced to the public in a statement that he will not perform the show at the new 12:05 time slot and has already received attention from network FOX. No matter what late night host you choose, or whether you actually care about the late night debacle one thing is sure we will being hearing a lot more about Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno and their popularity in the media will undoubtedly  rise, because as they say any publicity is good publicity.