Tuned In

Corporate Press Release Theater: Jay Sets a Date

By James Poniewozik | @poniewozik | June 2, 2009 | +

Maybe the welter of mostly positive attention to Conan O’Brien’s Tonight Show debut made the perfect setting to start building hype for NBC’s biggest fall debut. Maybe NBC simply can’t let Conan have 24 freaking hours in the spotlight before stepping on him with Leno news. Either way, the network announced a premiere date for The Jay Leno Show: Monday, Sept. 14.

Enjoy your three and a half months at the top, Conan—you’ve earned it! Excerpts after the jump:

BURBANK – June 2, 2009 – On the final episode of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” the host reminded viewers not to get too teary-eyed during his last stint behind the desk he has occupied for 17-years by reminding them that he would be back on NBC this fall with his new venture “The Jay Leno Show” (Monday – Friday, 10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET on NBC). “The Jay Leno Show” will premiere on September 14.

During his final bow as the host of “The Tonight Show” Leno signed off saying, “Thank you for watching. Please give Conan (O’Brien) as much support as you’ve given me throughout the years. Good night. We’ll see you in September.”

O’Brien began his hosting “The Tonight Show” on Monday, June 1.

Leno, recently named America’s Favorite TV Personality by the 2009 Harris Poll, announced in December of 2008 that while he will be leaving “The Tonight Show” he will remain at NBC and embark on an adventure that marks a new era in television. “The Jay Leno Show” will be the first-ever entertainment program to be stripped across primetime on broadcast network television and will showcase many of the features that have made Leno America’s late-night leader for more than a dozen years.

“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” is from Big Dog Productions in association with Universal Media Studios. Debbie Vickers is the executive producer.

Related Topics: Corporate Press Release Theater

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  • Tom Shaw

    The scheduling does seem sort of odd: It is likely that NBC will launch the rest of their fall schedule on that week as well. Which is historically quite early, and risky: recall the relative thud the Fringe premiere landed with, vs. no competition.
    -
    The odd part is that (afaik) NBC’s midseason schedule doesn’t start until March, after the Olympics. Depending on how many weeks they take “off” for the Christmas/etc. season, NBC will air 17 to 20 weeks of regular programming before the Olympic break.
    -
    Which is fine for viewers, but means that NBC will either have to decide on midseason pickups (for episodes 14+) quite early (such that they can get another ~6 episodes made in time, with a back-back-order possibly to follow later), or NBC will have another 6 week reality mini-season for December/January/part of Feb sweeps.

  • http://www.simonvinkenoog.nl/beeld/Yogi%20-%20Annelies%20Rigter.jpg yogi

    This is probably just to appease all the people who tuned in to the Tonight Show lastnight and asked “who’s this tall, redheaded fella, where’s Jay?”

  • bretannia

    In reference to the link in the post, I’m having trouble understanding the lukewarm, if not downright negative, reaction from the press to Conan. Were we watching the same show? I belly-laughed about 4 times. I can’t remember ever belly-laughing to something Jay Leno has said. And who cares if he was nervous? It was still funny. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.
    And Richter’s back! Let the good times roll! NBC, you’ve got one new viewer here. I’m changing the dial from CBS. Sorry Dave, but I’ll check back when you book Joaquin again.

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