nbc

NBC's Problems Grow Bigger by the Minute

cityfile · 01/12/10 12:48PM

NBC's late-night mess just got a little messier. Conan O'Brien says he is not willing to bump his show to 12:05am, since doing so "will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting." But he isn't necessarily leaving NBC and says he hasn't received an offer to go elsewhere. Your move, Zucker. [NYT]

Jay Leno Talks Cancellation, Possible New Time Slot on Tonight's Show

Matt Cherette · 01/11/10 10:22PM

The Jay Leno Show opened moments ago with more statements from the host regarding its cancellation and possible move to the 11:35 PM time slot currently occupied by Conan O'Brien, including confirmation of O'Brien's displeasure with the situation.

cityfile · 01/11/10 03:54PM

• NBC finally confirmed yesterday that it's canceling Jay Leno's 10pm show and moving him back to late-night. Whether Conan O'Brien stays at the network or jumps to Fox remains an open question for now. [NYT, TMZ, NYP]
• More bad news for NBC: The network expects to lose money broadcasting the Winter Olympics from Vancouver later this year, which would be a first. [NYT]
• Sarah Palin has signed on to join Fox News as a contributor. Exactly what she'll be doing there—and how much she'll get paid—is unclear. [NYT]
• In case you missed the front-page Times story about Fox News CEO Roger Ailes yesterday, he makes a ton of money for Rupert Murdoch, doesn't get along much with Murdoch's kids, and hates liberals. Oh, and he's armed. [NYT]
• TV news: NBC has ordered six new drama pilots for the fall now that the network is moving Jay Leno out of primetime; CBS reports it's close to signing David Letterman and Craig Ferguson to new contracts; and Fox is renewing Glee for a second season, which should come as a surprise to no one.
• Simon Cowell wasn't kidding when he said he was leaving American Idol? He'll depart the show after the current season to host The X Factor on Fox. [LAT]
• As many as 1,200 AOL employees could get pink-slipped this week. [NYT]
Avatar continues to rake it in. The movie was No. 1 for a fourth straight weekend and has now grossed $1.34 billion around the world. [MTV]
• Erica Hill is saying goodbye to CNN and is joining CBS News. [NYDN]
• Tucker Carlson's politics site, The Daily Caller, launched today. [WaPo]
• Did NBC try to poach Barbara Walters last year? Seems so. [HP]

What Can Conan O'Brien Learn from The Late Shift?

Anderson Evans · 01/11/10 12:45PM

The 1996 made-for-HBO movie holds nothing back in dissecting NBC's first late night debacle. As Leno pushes for a sequel, it's a certain red-headed Irishman that has the most to gain from giving this film another inspection.

NYPost: Conan 'Set to Bolt' from NBC

Maureen O'Connor · 01/11/10 06:59AM

In an article written with somewhat weaker language than its headline, the Post reports that Conan is "ready to fly the coop" (plus other peacock jokes) over Leno's decision to steal his time slot. Of Leno and the network, their anonymous source says, "This level of shittiness was not expected." [NYP]

What Will Conan O'Brien Do?

Adrian Chen · 01/11/10 12:45AM

Now that Leno's move back to 11:30 is official, all eyes are Conan: Will he suck it up and helm the "Tonight Show" at midnight or make the move to another network? Variety says he is 'not happy'. Duh.

Why Isn't SNL On Yet?

Matt Cherette · 01/09/10 11:45PM

It's 11:45 on Saturday night, yet you're probably seeing your local news on NBC. Why? Because of football. Stupid football! Don't worry, though—SNL will be on in 15 minutes. Watch Tony Romo and Bob Costas explain the delay.

Conan O'Brien Slams NBC, Mocks Jay Leno on The Tonight Show

Matt Cherette · 01/09/10 12:03AM

Just moments ago on The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien addressed the reports that NBC is giving the 11:35 PM time slot back to Jay Leno for the first time since the news broke—and he didn't hold back. Video inside.

cityfile · 01/08/10 03:49PM

• The epic mess at NBC continues: The last-place network is now thinking above moving Jay Leno to a 11:35pm-12:05am time slot and then having Conan O'Brien follow him for a full hour. But no deal has been reached, and there's still a possibility that Conan will abandon ship. [NYT, LAT, BN, NYT]
Rudy Giuliani is under fire for idiotic comments he made on Good Morning America today. George Stephanopoulos: He isn't looking so hot either. [NYT]
• Changes at the Times: Star reporter Sewell Chan is headed to the paper's D.C. bureau; and the NYT's City Room blog has a new editor. [Politico, NYT]
• If you love Jersey Shore, maybe you'll be interested in Jersey Couture? [THR]
• Bad news for tweens, pervs: Hannah Montana is coming to an end. [MTV]
• Ben Silverman's studio/glorified ad agency is teaming up with Yahoo! [NYT]
• President Obama's State of the Union address will not—repeat not—conflict with Lost's season opener on February 2. So you can relax now. [WSJ]
• Did Reuters kill a story so as to not offend billionaire Steve Cohen? [Gawker]
• If you work at Condé Nast and you go get a boob job, you probably shouldn't show your new assets to your colleagues when your return to the office. (Even if you're behind closed doors and you keep your sports bra on.) [NYP]

cityfile · 01/07/10 03:46PM

• Is NBC shutting down Jay Leno's 10pm show and moving him back to late night? Is Conan O'Brien out of a job? NBC isn't denying that a schedule change has been discussed, but it's not saying much more than that for now. [NYT]
• ABC News is reportedly in negotiations with Ted Koppel to bring him back to the network as the anchor of This Week on Sunday mornings. [Politico]
• CNN is handing over the 1-3pm slot to Ali Velshi starting on Jan. 18. [NYT]
Forbes has sold off its landmark building on lower Fifth Ave. to NYU. [NYO]
• Despite the standoff between Cablevision and Scripps, ratings for the company's two cable outlets, HGTV and Food Network, are up. [AdAge]
• Tucker Carlson's new website, The Daily Caller, launches next week. [WI]
Avatar's streak continues: It's now the No. 2 biggest movie ever. [THR]
• A Blockbuster video kiosk is coming to a Duane Reade near you. [NYCTB]
• Fox is delaying the start of its sketchy new reality show. [THR]
• Break out a tissue: The Hof is leaving America's Got Talent. [People]
• Lady Gaga was the special guest on Launch My Line last night. [Gawker]
• Did ABC News buy George Stephanopoulos a booster seat when he joined the Good Morning America team? That's the rumor, at least. [Popeater]

This Day in History: The First Color Television Broadcast

Anderson Evans · 01/01/10 09:30AM

January 1st, 1954: NBC had a coast to coast colorcast of the Tournament of Roses Parade. Check out how proud the networks were and watch an old color television commercial complete with vapid jingle after a word from our sponsors!