The Tonight Show Feud

The Tonight Show has been in important lineup on NBC for over sixty years. Due to poor ratings, the network planned to move it a half-hour later than its original runtime. Host Conan O’Brien’s anger over the proposed time change resulted in his resignation on January 22, after his last show. The Jay Leno Show also received poor ratings and was going to replace O’Brien’s 11:30 PM timeslot. O’Brien did not want to follow Leno in the lineup nor did he want Late Night to be pushed back an hour. Since O’Brien’s leave, NBC decided Leno would return as host of The Tonight Show starting March 1, at its original 11:30 timeslot. The debate over NBC’s decision caused celebrities and critics to take sides.

The college generation is somewhat removed from the Leno and O’Brien feud. Many students are aware of the time scheduling conflict, but do not know specifics. A succession of late-night hosts: David Letterman, Leno and O’Brien, understand the importance of the show’s timeslot. O’Brien felt slighted by the suggested move and quit after a two-week battle. He walked away with $35 million severance and $12 million for his staff.

“It’s not really our generation,” says sophomore Danielle Dougherty of the dispute. Students who have not heard of the conflict would most likely agree. Long-time viewers of the Tonight Show are more opinionated. Leno’s fans are older whereas the younger crowd generally sides with O’Brien. Students who knew of his departure tuned in to his last show. O’Brien ended the segment with a speech thanking NBC for the opportunities to his career. “It was a great last show; I just remember laughing the whole time,” says sophomore Stephen Koch.

The Minaret’s Derrick Austin covered late-night television in his twelve suggestions for a promising new decade. He hopes to see a fresh, young face on the air. A young and relatable host may prompt more students to tune in. Leno will be a return to the familiar. O’Brien’s exit has not distressed many UT students. Koch says, “It didn’t bother me to a great degree.” Other students confessed to not caring at all.

Leno is back in the spotlight while O’Brien takes his chances elsewhere. After a seven-month run he closed saying, “If our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we’ll find a way to make it fun.”