Is the guy on the left taking over for the guy on the right? Let's hope not.
This has to be the strangest rumor we've heard all week, but here goes: PopEater (which is just one letter away from being PopEaster, which sounds delightful) is reporting that Jerry Seinfeld may take over hosting duties from Conan O'Brien on NBC's struggling-in-the-ratings "The Tonight Show". Say what?! Read on for the details, my gentle Examiner readers...
We don't know how much stock we'd put into this rumor, but it's worth mentioning anyway. Apparently, the dwindling ratings for Conan O'Brien's version of "The Tonight Show" are causing much panic over at NBC (who really oughtta be focusing on the trainwreck that is "The Jay Leno Show" if you ask us), and the network's looking to replace our redheaded hero shortly. Their choice for replacement?
Jerry Seinfeld.
Yeah, we were surprised, too. Here's what the article over at PopEater has to say:
With Conan O'Brien ratings slipping faster than Tiger Woods' endorsement appeal, TV executives are telling me that informal discussions have started to occur within 30 Rock as to who would be the home-run replacement for the hysterical but sagging redhead. The name on everyone's wish list? Jerry Seinfeld.
"NBC just can't carry on like this. 'The Tonight Show' has lost 52 percent of its viewership in just one year. The November ratings will be the show's lowest in 15 years. They would be idiots to not be having the replacement conversation," a source tells me
Holy crap. Jerry Seinfeld-- you may have heard of him-- has enjoyed a long relationship with NBC thanks to the years he spent making millions for the network with "Seinfeld"; they'd probably be overjoyed to have him return to their lineup. Coincidentally, "Seinfeld" recieved a bit of a boost in popularity-resurrgence this year with HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" staging a faux-reunion on their show.
Other than that, Jerry Seinfeld hasn't been on the radar of TV watchers (as he used to be) for some time. Besides, who's to say that he'd want the job? Hosting a nightly show for-- well, for the forseeable future, anyway-- would be one helluva commitment, and could cut into Seinfeld's plans to continue to do "nothing". Here he is on Letterman awhile back discussing just that:
Furthermore, it seems far more likely that Jay Leno would be asked to return before Seinfeld would be brought in...doesn't it? "The Jay Leno Show" has struggled (read: bombed) ever since its debut a few months ago, and while network affiliates lodged a series of complaints against NBC over their slipping nightly news ratings and critics tore Leno's new show to shreds, NBC basically shrugged the whole thing off. From the sounds of this bit of gossip, it looks like NBC was more concerned with Conan than they were Leno. PopEater goes on to say:
However, getting Seinfeld -- who had a long, successful relationship with NBC in the '90s and who, ironically, agreed to be the first guest when NBC moved Leno to 10 p.m. -- is a long shot and Conan's people are denying it entirely. NBC spokesperson Drew Shane responded: "Completely false. There are no conversations happening. Conan is the host of the 'Tonight Show.'"
Of course, if it were true, NBC wouldn't be admitting it. We imagine it's gotta be pretty tough to be Conan O'Brien right now, and not just because of the Irish complexion: the pressure is on from NBC to get ratings up on "The Tonight Show", and with more and more younger viewers (who traditionally tuned into Conan when he was on "Late Night") heading over to Jimmy Fallon's show, that might prove to be an impossible task. Stay tuned for more on this situation as it develops, Examiner readers.
And, while you're here, check out some of these other recent articles from the Comedy Examiner's Office. Surely there's something in here that will tickle your fancy (but in a consensual way, we assure you):
FUNNY VIDEO: CONAN O'BRIEN PICKING UP A SHIFT AT BEST BUY (WITH VIDEO)-- check out this funny clip from a recent episode of "The Tonight Show", wherein Conan O'Brien goes to work at a local Best Buy. Is he hard up for cash or something?
COMEDY EXAMINER REVIEW: WHAT DID WE THINK OF "AVATAR"? FIND OUT HERE!-- in which the Comedy Examiner reviews one of the most anticipated films of the year, James Cameron's "Avatar". Hint: it kinda rocked.
TOP 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SEE "AVATAR" THIS WEEKEND-- in which we discuss with you, our gentle Examiner readers, what you need to know before you check out James Cameron's latest opus this weekend. We just saw it, so we've got the inside scoop.
CHEVY CHASE, JOHN CUSACK, OTHERS STAR IN UPCOMING COMEDY "HOT TUB TIME MACHINE" (WITH VIDEO)-- check out the trailer for the upcoming comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine", featuring the triumphant return of "Community" star Chevy Chase.
(photo: nbc.com)
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