So Conan O'Brien is taking his show to TBS, joining the programming roster that includes reruns of Saved by the Bell and Sex and the City. The cable channel offered Conan more control and ownership than a network would have. But it also offered him something much more important: a better career narrative. The odyssey of Conan O'Brien (born 1963) from Johnny Carson heir to Jon Stewart wannabe perfectly illustrates the conundrum of the late-boomer media star.
Replacing Jay Leno on The Tonight Show should have been the capstone of a brilliant career and a ticket to a comfortable middle-age for O'Brien. Instead, he fell on his face. As the New York Timesnoted, O'Brien's show pulled in about 2.8 million viewers per night in the second half of 2009, including 1.5 million in the 18-49 demographic. On both counts, the ratings were substantially worse than the numbers Jay Leno had put up.
Coco wasn't alone in his struggle. In recent years, virtually all the stars in their late 40s and early 50s who ascended to iconic thrones of the old media universe have been abandoned by a fickle and increasingly diffuse audience.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
6 comments:
Can't blame Conan for the NBC fiasco. He'll do just fine. Helluvalot funnier then most late night talk show hosts
Joe, guess everyone is entitled to an opinion so here is mine. I think O'Brien is about as funny as a heart attack and was not suited for that spot. Look at who he was following all the way back to Jack Parr, etc. He does not even look the part. But then again that is just one man's opinion lol jackkcharl@aol.com
here's something you'll never hear the networks talk about; Nightline pulls more ratings than Letterman and Leno combined
Unless there is a guest I am very interested in seeing,I do not watch any of those late night shows-they are drivelish with the same monologues and whatnot.Thank God for TV Land channel
6:25,
nightline is a half hour show. You're comparing apples and oranges.
Sorry, I work two jobs and have to fit in sleep somewhere I don’t have time for any of these shows. The one time I say Conan I thought he was an obnoxious punk.
Jay B
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