Jay Leno's ratings have dipped to the level Conan's were at when NBC replaced him
When NBC made the decision to bump Conan O'Brien off The Tonight Show, they were also deciding to wager it all on Jay Leno. The former Tonight Show host had gone to primetime and proved to be a massive failure in that pre-news timeslot, and despite the fact that Conan just wasn't given the time needed to establish an audience, the decision was made to bring Leno back to late night. The assumption, of course, was that Jay Leno would bring back the big-ass ratings that he'd had before "retiring" from the latenight game, but if recent numbers are any indication, Leno's...well, he's struggling. Let's just say that. Read on for the details, my gentle Examiner readers...
So, how's Jay "Comedy" Leno been doing lately? Ever since NBC rescued Leno from his drowning position in primetime and booted Conan (who's getting offers from some unlikely alternate places right now) from their latenight lineup, comedy fans have been curious to see how Leno would fare in the ratings: would he return to his former, Letterman-trumping glory? Or would he fail like he did in primetime? Well, about that...
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In the past month and half, Leno's put up an admirable fight against Letterman's Late Show, and there's been every indication that he'd win the ratings war-- even if he was, occasionally, losing the night-to-night battle. But now Leno's losing to repeats of Letterman, and his ratings have dipped below those achieved by Conan O'Brien for the first time since he returned to the Tonight Show stage. Wonder how NBC's feeling about their decision now?
Here's what they're saying about Leno's ratings dip over at Contact Music:
For the first time, Jay Leno's average weekly ratings among 18-49-year-old viewers has fallen below Conan O'Brien's
... (TV analyst Joe) Adalian noted that Leno averaged only a 1.0 rating and a 5 share last week versus O'Brien's 1.1/5 average -- despite the fact that CBS was airing repeats of Late Show with David Letterman, which drew a 0.8/3 in the demo. Moreover, Leno now benefits from a much stronger nightly lead-in -- with shows like Parenthood and The Marriage Ref being aired by the network in the 10 00 p.m. time period -- than O'Brien did when his lead-in was Leno.
So, Leno's got a stronger lead-in, he's up against repeats, and he's still using that high-larious "Headlines" bit-- how could he have dipped this low in the ratings? Surely it's not because public opinion of the comedian has dropped to George W. Bush levels following NBC's "Late Night Wars", right? Let's see what TV analyst Joe Adalian has to say about Leno's prospects:
We're not trying to say that it's all over, and that Leno is now going to end up lower-rated than Conan, and stupid NBC, look what you did," Adalian commented. "But There've been several reports lately suggesting that the old, pre-Coco order had been restored to late-night -- and that Jay was once again the dominant king of the daypart. ... Fact is, it's still too soon to call the race.
Yes, Adalian's not saying "Stupid NBC, look what you did" or trying to be smug about any of this. That's my job. In all seriousness, Adalian's right: it's still too early to call this race. But even Leno's supporters would have to admit that there's been a shift in the perception of Jay Leno over the past few months, and that it's obvious-- based upon the disparity between where his ratings once were with where they are now-- that it's had a negative effect on The Tonight Show's audience.
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UPDATE: I've received a message from someone who wanted a few more facts and figures about the disparity between Conan's ratings and Leno's. This particular reader doesn't feel that the full story's been represented here. Just prior to reading this email, I was reading an article by the immortal Hercules over at Ain't It Cool News. I think I'll let him take the wheel on this one with a few further notes:
Seven weeks in, Leno is averaging a 1.0 in the 18-49 demo while David Letterman averages a 0.8. These are precisely the same numbers "The Tonight Show" and "The Late Show" were pulling seven weeks into Conan’s “Tonight” tenure.
The chart also reminds us that before “The Jay Leno Show” started last September (at week 16 into Conan’s run, I think), Conan won the 18-49 race against Letterman every single week last summer.
Only after “The Jay Leno Show’s” arrival as Conan’s 10 p.m. lead-in did Conan begin losing to Letterman in 18-49 for the first time.
Seven weeks in, Leno is averaging a 1.0 in the 18-49 demo while David Letterman averages a 0.8. These are precisely the same numbers "The Tonight Show" and "The Late Show" were pulling seven weeks into Conan’s “Tonight” tenure.
The chart also reminds us that before “The Jay Leno Show” started last September (at week 16 into Conan’s run, I think), Conan won the 18-49 race against Letterman every single week last summer.
Only after “The Jay Leno Show’s” arrival as Conan’s 10 p.m. lead-in did Conan begin losing to Letterman in 18-49 for the first time.
Only time will tell how this is all going to end. It's likely that we won't have a firm grasp of how extensive the damage is or isn't until Leno's been back on the air for about a year. Adalian's right about it being too soon to call the race, to be sure, but one wonders if NBC's not getting a bit nervous about how this thing played out, particularly when Conan's soaking up all the attention that's arrived with his announcement about going to TBS and his Legally Prohibited Tour:
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Stay tuned for more on this situation as it becomes available, my precious snowflakes. For instance, if you're into Conan, you're going to wanna look at this. And, while you're here, be sure to hit the "Subscribe" button up top so you don't miss any further Team Coco News (or Jay Leno mockery). Something tells me the fallout from this one's going to last for a little while. And, while you're waiting on that news to arrive-- it could be awhile-- feel free to check out some of these other recent articles from the Comedy Examiner's Office:
CRITICS GIVING JENNIFER LOPEZ' NEW ROMANTIC-COMEDY "THE BACK-UP PLAN" A SAVAGE BEATING (WITH BONUS FUNNY VIDEO)-- in which we learn that you probably shouldn't put down any money on a ticket for The Back-Up Plan this weekend.
'SOUTH PARK' CREATORS MATT STONE AND TREY PARKER RELEASE AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING COMEDY CENTRAL'S CENSORSHIP-- in which Trey Parker and Matt Stone don't get nearly as angry as you would've expected.
COMEDY CENTRAL CENSORS THE 201ST EPISODE OF "SOUTH PARK" FOLLOWING DEATH THREATS AGAINST THE SHOW'S CREATORS-- in which Comedy Central totally wusses out in the face of a simple assassination threat. Way to give in to demands, Comedy Central.
COMEDY EXAMINER COMMENTARY: "LOST" FANS, IT'S TIME TO CHILL THE HELL OUT WITH THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES-- in which the Comedy Examiner gives all the LOST fans of the world a stern talking-to. Including himself.
(photos: top-- nypost.com, next-- nytimes.com, next-- celebrityworld.com, bottom-- teamcoco.com)
Comments
Isn't this drama over yet? Leno is an American icon, but one long past the point of relevance. Conan was doing great until they yanked the ground out from under him.
As far as late night is concerned Conan is the future while Leno is the past. Nbc alienated the under 55 group that will not likely return.
I watched Leno on random occasions because Coco proceeded his show... I'm sure I'm not the only one :P
While I take some pleasure in the above article, I truly feel Conan is better off now. He's always at his best when he's perceived as 'the under-dog', and coupling his self-depreciating humor with the fact that he was hosting the premiere late-night talk show (The Tonight Show) was a bit of an oxymoron. He'll likely thrive over on TBS, and will be able too be more 'Conan' there, while still being able to make jokes about being merely a 'basic cable' talk show host. Looking forward to November.
Leno catered to an older crowd, Conan to a younger one. When Leno left so did a lot of older viewers, then when Conan left a lot of the younger viewers left. So who's left? Not many. No surprises.
Leno will have to rebuild his viewer base. Maybe the network will keep him long enough to do so.
This is the most balanced & accurate article, post TTS apocalypse, that I have read so far. It infuriates me every time it gets written that Conan was "fired" from the Tonight Show because of low ratings as if it was solely his fault. I have lost all respect for Mr. Leno credit goes to the writer for being fair to him despite his apparent Team Coco stance. I had always watched Tonight & Late Night as a package borne of sentimental reasons & my utter allegiance to Conan O'Brien and looked forward every night for Mr. Leno to say, 'Folks, stay tune for Conan.' Thanks Mr. Leno for sullying two institutions & Carson's legacy with your avarice, your pandering, your lies & your hypocrisy. You have not just alienated a demographic but also generations that grow smarter & more savvy as the times--with the information and the means literally at their fingertips. You & your tea-bagging followers enjoy your journey to high-rating irrelevance.
Just goes to show, big chins aren't in!
Ir's the networks not Conan or Leno's decision....what would u have done in Leon's position when ur employer says: go back to ur old spot, sorry we screwed up ever moving u....now NBC made EVERYONE look like an azz....Conan like he cant win an audience (which i think and know he can) and Leno like the bad dude....which in the end only hurt the tonight show....silly move on NBC...all i gotta say....i love both leno and conan and both will be just fine :) so let it rest already...enjoy the comedy....both conan and leno got huge pay checks...i doubt they really suffer over this. ;)
So if you actually go to that chart, you see that Leno is beating Letterman overall every night. This article is a nice statistical cherry pick.
lol the examiner is garbage
I used to watch Leno on TTS because I grew up watching Johnny Carson with my parents. The Tonight Show was what we did at 10:30 every night in my family. After he took over, I watched Leno 3-4 nights per week for 15 years. Now, I never watch him. I will never tune him in again. He's not ethical and he's not honest. The Oprah interview where he came off so incredibly smarmy and dishonest was the wake up call for this family.
Leno's jokes have been increasingly anti-Obama and that certainly has not help his ratings.
So, you're comparing Jay's worst ratings since his return to Conan's absolute best ratings (during the controversy). That's pretty damn selective. And doesn't change the fact that, over all, Leno has done better than Conan, both before and after the "retirement".
I'd love to see Leno fail. But your manipulation of the facts is embarrassing.
Well, you know what they say, out with the old, in with the new, out with the new, in with the old, change the channel.
Leno has ruined the legacy of The Tonight Show which Johnny Carson helped built. Conan was a great fit and needed time to develop the show, Leno knew this move was going to be made back in 2004 and could have left to another network. So he does The Jay Leno Show knowing perfectly well he was setting Conan up to fail at his old time slot. The interview where he said he would take his old job back didn't surprise me at all. He is a smarmy fella who comes across as likeable, but that Oprah interview showed his true colors. Anyone with class would have left Conan O'Brien with the Tonight Show, it was in great hands and now Leno has it back and it's just quite not funny anymore. Leno is out for Leno, and yes this is show business, but all Leno cares about is himself, helped play a part in screwing Conan out of his dream job, and if you tune in and watch his Tonight Show you are the sucker with the remote.
I have not watched Leno not one time since he came back., I was sick of Jay years before he even retired. I was really disappointed in what happened to Conan. I would watch Conan. Jay is a has been.
Most of you are pathetic. Jay is the best thing on late night. He is the ratings leader, Conan rarely was and most of that didn't have to do with his lead in. Last I checked NBC wasn't leading in anything at 10PM. April is the ratings toilet. Movies suck so there have been no guests. Why do you think Dave is doing repeats? Jay's ratings will improve over time as the audience stops listening to Conan and his pussy fans spread bs over the internet.
whats the big suprise. WE all knew it would happen eventually. The only people who like jay leno have a hearing impairment.
I miss conan
LENO SUCKS AND SO DOES LETTERMAN. CRAIG FERGUSON IS BY FAR THE BEST LATE NIGHT HOST.
Jay is the best!
David Letterman, Craig Furgeuson, and Jay Leno are BORING! A least Conan will appear on TBS and on 60min cbs. Jay Leno is a greedy bastard anyways. For now I watch Jimmy Kimmel. Boycotted NBC since Conan left.
Leno sucks! We love you Conan!
CONGRATULATIONS JAY! YOU RUINED THE GOOD NAME OF THE TONIGHT SHOWQ!!! What would Johnny Carson think?
Boo Leno! Yay Conan!
This is going to suck cuz I dont have cable to watch Conan on TBS. THANKS alot Leno for ruining everything! You should of stepped back! I wish Conan would of been picked up by Fox cus like Wanday sykes is HORRIBLE! Best Comedians I think are: Conan O Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon. Letterman, Fergueson and Leno are just OLD FARTS!
If Jay was the best than why has his rating plummeted? HAHA!
Conan is one of the very few people on TV that make me laugh out loud. I use to watch both Leno and Conan while Conan was on Late Night, but I will never watch that dried up old bag Leno again. I miss Conan....
Conan took the Tonight Show from Leno and now Leno took it back. They were each fighting for themselves and their crews. Neither should be blamed for doing what is natural, but Conan stated he wouldn't have done what Leno did, when in actuality he did it also. I believe that many of the people in the press are taking sides with Conan and influencing the public. The press should not take sides!
I think nether 1 should of got it! If it was up to me, I would of gave it to Dave Chapelle! :)
Everybody needs to stop blamming Jay for what happened. He doesnt own NBC. Plus Conan took away the show from Jay first. And now hes making George Lopez move to make time for him. Who is not acting honorably now? Either way Jay is much funnier than Conan. He deserves the tonight show.
@Jan, Conan didn't MAKE George Lopez push his show back an hour, Lopez was the one that went to Conan and said he wanted to do this. Lopez didn't want the time slot anymore, he knew he'd benefit more in the later time slot.
I'm happy that Leno got the show back for the past 17 year he was #1 when conan had the show he failed
We need Leno back. Dave's material about the chin is hilarious. I can't wait for Coco's return and hear his stuff. I fall above the 18-49 bracket, but if any bottom-feeders care, Dave's still the funniest guy on TV but when Conan's back-I'll be there.
The only thing I took away from this article was that startling last picture of Conan looking like an autistic vampire.
Team Coco all the way!
Never a big fan of either. If I had to pick I'd say Conan. Jay Leno is just unfunny.
The writer of this article compares the ratings for 18-49 year-old viewers only, but fails to consider the Nielsen ratings. There was a March 2, 2010 article that reported that Jay Leno was beating Dave Letterman decisively in the Nielsen ratings and was also ahead of Dave in the 18-49 category. At least that article discussed both ratings, while this article appears to be written by a Team Coco guy. Everyone knows that Conan does better with the younger viewers.
So, if Jay is doing about as well as Conan was doing with the 18-49 viewers, then in my opinion, that is a tremendous success for Jay. After all, with all that animosity shown towards Jay by the younger viewers, with many swearing they would not watch the Tonight Show with Jay as the host, one would expect that the ratings for the Tonight Show for the 18-49 group would dip way below what they were when Conan was hosting.
The fact that Jay has maintained the ratings at about the level that Conan had is admirable.
Jay has continued to maintain ratings for NBC and they are just happy to be ahead of David Letterman, which they are! These ratings listed here are not compete, missing information and the neilson ratings are not included here! Jay has continued to stay ahead of David and as far as poor (not money wise) Cohan who is screwed here, but hope he makes a comeback someday soon..
All this 'Team Coco' stuff is incredibly embarrassing. I'm a committed, long-time Conan. fan but I like him less and less with ever smug, obnoxious, 'Team Coco' piece I read. This is Douchebag journalism at its worst.
Conan reminds me of a young teenager making goofy faces and acting silly, trying to be funny. Jay did not move Conan the network did. Dave Letterman was beating Conan in the ratings and they had to move him.
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