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Let me take off my TV-critic hat for a minute and put on my TV-business hat. Everyone’s assumption now—a well-founded one, it seems—is that, forced to choose between Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien, NBC will pick Jay. Leaving aside fairness, funniness or cosmic justice, is that the right business pick?
Short-term, I have to say: …
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Let it not be said that Conan O’Brien lacks company loyalty. Even as O’Brien was busy getting publicly screwed over by his network, he was on the Tonight Show, making fun of his own situation while giving a plug to Howie Mandel and Deal or No Deal:
[vodpod id=Groupvideo.4452615&w=425&h=350&fv=]
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The guy who’s having the best time with the Jaypocalypse and NBC’s Conanundrum? David Letterman. For now, anyway. Here’s a preview of his hit tonight (since I’m sure you’ll be watching to see what Conan has to say). The title gives away the punch line, but it’s funny anyway:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msC3uu4KZbg]
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NBC wanted a decision quick, and it got one: Conan O’Brien says he will quit [Update: or to be precise, all but says it] the Tonight Show if NBC moves it to 12:05 to shoehorn in Jay Leno at 11:35. This is not Conan “quitting” the Tonight Show exactly, but it is demanding NBC choose him or Leno.
[Update: NBC says that, yes, there will be …
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More news tidbits from the Winter TV Press Tour in Pasadena:
* Fox says it hasn’t had official talks with Conan O’Brien, other than to “commiserate” with his people. There, there, let it all out. Why don’t you dry your tears with this contract?
* Ron Moore says you don’t need to have seen Battlestar Galactica to get his new SyFy …
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I kind of don’t want to do a “Ooooh, look at the late-night hosts ripping on NBC!” post. I mean, late-night comedians making jokes about their own (or other) networks stopped being daring, what, 25 years ago? Was it even daring then?
That said: Ooooh, look at Conan ripping on NBC!
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Spoilers for last night’s How I Met Your Mother after the jump:
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Fox network made official today what has been buzzed about in TV circles for weeks: that Simon Cowell will leave American Idol after this season to import his singing-talent show X-Factor from Great Britain. Reports from the TCA TV critics’ press tour in Pasadena say Cowell literally just signed his deal with Fox, dramatically, on stage …
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Breaking Bad news, that is: The searing AMC drama returns for its third season March 21. With that, Justified and HBO’s The Pacific, we are looking at March coming in like a lion. Excerpts from the release after the jump:
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About a week ago, I wrote a column on the media as today’s preferred fast-track to a political career. Now I might need to update it already. The New York Times is reporting that former governor / current author-Facebook-updater Sarah Palin is signing with Fox News as a contributor and host of “an occasional series.”
Let’s see if this …
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This week, the Television Critics Association is holding the winter version of its press tour in Pasadena, where TV networks are giving presentations on their midseason lineups. I’m not there, but here are some highlights from people who are:
* Fox has confirmed a second season of Glee for next year, and they’re holding a casting search …
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There actually is some good news for NBC today, even if, naturally, it comes from a show that the network was once on the verge of ensuring would never see another season. The double-shot season premiere of Chuck got the spy comedy-drama its best ratings since its 3D stunt episode last year.
Celebrate, but don’t relax …
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Before you read the following post, mix yourself up some fry sauce and watch last night’s season premiere of Big Love:
