DISQUS

Ponder This · 6 months ago

Once again, the idiots in Hollywood who make these types of decisions are showing how dull they really are! Look at the quality of the shows they think are creative, entertaining or funny! BORING!!!! Conan will eventually fail. The entire format (set design, musicians, writers, skits, lack of intimacy with the viewer, etc.) simply does not pull the viewer in! It's another case of the "dumbing down of America." And Conan probably cannot yet define who his audience is. I've watched three times and they have not given me reason to go back. From the looks of this information, I'm not alone.

Nick Tuzzo · 6 months ago

It's ironic that there's still so many Leno haters. You know what, viewers vote with who they watch. After the first 18 months of the leno/letterman "wars", Jay cleaned his clock for 15 years. What's up with all these folks with their "leno was never funny" comments or basically calling the American viewer idiots for watching him. What nobody's saying here is the big reason Dave's beating Conan is because Jay's not the guy in the Tonight Show seat any longer. It's senseless to me to hear how Dave or Conan are comedic "geniuses" and Leno is lame. Bottom line is Jay is just more likable, perhaps that's why he ruled for 15 years.

Brooke · 6 months ago

I guess I should thank NBC and Conan both as now I get to bed at a decent hour instead of waiting for Jay. I like Kimmel and Fallon but they are way too late. I don't know how Conan will find a large enough audience. He is painful to watch, not funny, no disrespect to his fans

LarryS · 6 months ago

For whoever saw it last night, a measure of how really funny and quick Dave is...

Julia (Roberts) asking Dave about his recent marriage to long time GF Regina.

Julia: Did she take your name?
Dave:Yes
Julia: So she's Mrs. Letterman?
Dave: No, we call her Dave.

embarrassed · 6 months ago

I agree. That showed wit and I laughed heartily. Conan relies on puerile, visual humor that might be amusing to adolescents who are asleep when he is on.

ann · 6 months ago

A lot of the humor is worked out between the writers and guests beforehand, in the nature of "When/if she says this, it'd be funny if ...." or outright asking a guest to set up a joke. These shows would be dull and the talk too ordinary if they didn't. Not that Dave isn't spontaneously funny, but we could all use a writer sometimes.

Jenn · 6 months ago

I do not care for Conan...I want Jay back I have stoped watching and watch David instead

Bill Keitz · 6 months ago

I dislike Consn immensely didn't like his show before he took over for Jay Leno and I no longer watch the Tonight Show either. I too now have switched to Letterman as well.

DownTownChris · 5 months ago

Ditto

JoeJoe · 6 months ago

Conan is NOT FUNNY!!!

Ravi Kanwal · 6 months ago

NBC made a terrible call to replace Leno with Conan. It did not take a genius to know that Letterman would beat Conan easily. I do however predict that NBC will replace Conan within 5 years. Perhaps even 3 if they can find a way around Conan's contract. Dare I say of 2?

Bottom line: Conan is not "Tonight Show" funny. Period.

RT · 6 months ago

I'm happy to see this. Conan is good but he is no Jay Leno who is comfort food for the nation. We will continue to see The Tonight Show drop in ratings sad but true.

sis · 6 months ago

I miss Jay Leno. I looked forward to watching his show every night for the past 10 years +. I will be glad when he is back in the Fall.

Matt D · 6 months ago

Leno is a true comic. Just looking at his expressions even without talking makes me laugh. Of course there are going to be people who think Conan is a genius, but there are always going to be people without an eye or ear for comedy or talent. Leno is truly talented. Dave is ok, but a little too abrasive. Conan is like a supporting actor in a movie. He will never be more than that. I like him as a person, but he pales in comparison to Leno (no pun intended). His voice, his face, his mannerisms, his height, everything rubs me the wrong way about him. What a mistake for NBC. But then again, TV in general has sucked for the last 5 years or more. I wonder why? Producers looking for the easy buck and making childish decisions like trading Leno for Conan. Johnny Carson was way older than Leno when he retired and he stilled was king of ratings, like Leno would be. A sign of things to come for the 21st century.

GeoffreyGordon · 6 months ago

Wow, so off point. If anything Leno was the cheap laugh, which unfortunately is the bread and butter in terms of entertainment to most people. Going to Conan was not selling out but a risk. A large risk since most people are not going to get most of his humor and jokes since it will be too quick and over people's heads. . .such as your own.

Blake · 6 months ago

Glad to see that Dave is winning this battle, both in the ratings and on most all web debates that I've seen. Dave is the superior host, without question. Also glad to see that Carson is getting some props. Not only is Dave a better host than Conan, but he's better than Leno. Does anyone here remember that The Tonight Show used to be referred to by many, many people as "The Johnny Carson Show"? I've never heard anyone ever refer to it as "The Jay Leno Show". Of course, it's no secret that Johnny (forever the best) wanted Letterman to replace him. There was good reason for this, but NBC unwisely took another path...sort of a slap to Johnny, I think. Of all the late night television hosts, the only man who can compare to the late, great Carson is David Letterman. Comparitively, Conan is greatly lacking. It's not so much that Letterman appeals to an older crowd, I think he appeals to a more intelligent crowd who demand better television.

howiehangg · 2 months ago

Touche

Name · 4 months ago

kinda of not the point in comedy

H · 6 months ago

This has to be a joke. O'Brien is far more intelligent and a far better comic than Leno. Leno just makes cheap, mean jokes... but that seems to be what some Americans like.

snippedthread · 6 months ago

I agree the ratings and show will continue to slide. We always watched the news then Jay's monologue at a minumum, but now there isn't anything to watch. I find Conan too impressed with himself, which doesn't leave any room for me to like him. Conan has his own following and Leno had his own following, but they aren't the same and can't substitute for each other. I think NBC made a mistake.

123 · 6 months ago

In this viewer's humble opinoin...it's ridiculous to even compare Conan with Dave. David Letterman is ten times the host that Conan is. Johnny was the King, Dave is the master, Jay was decent, and Conan can be almost painful to watch. I'm a newspaper reporter, former actor, and have years of comedy training at Chicago's 2nd City (home of most SNL legends). I also used to do stand-up. I don't say this to impress (it's not that impressive), just to say that this discussion is close to home for me. Trust me...among people who do these types of things as a career, Dave is very, very well respected and Conan is considered by most to be near pathetic. Watching Conan conduct an interview is almost painful. After 17 years of late night, Conan still seems nervous, is unable to control the flow of the interview, has been making the same jokes for over a decade (his hair, for example), and often makes his guests have to work to have a smooth conversation. In contrast, Dave can make anyone from a young athlete to a sexy actress (Julia Roberts gave him a huge smacker on the lips recently), to a politician feel at ease. Dave is likely a better late night talk show host than Conan and Jay combined. Jay has his merits (good writers), but also has many weak points. Conan's entire show is pretty darn weak...filled with mindless, childish skits and almost uncomfortable interviews. Watch Conan conduct an interview, then change the station and watch Dave conduct an interview. It's like night and day. Johnny would be ashamed, I think. Dave is clearly a more intelligent and engaging personality than either Jay or Conan. Long live The Late Show, starring David Letterman!!!

Judybats · 6 months ago

Yeah 123! Nice post. Right on the money. At best Conan is a comedic writer. Dave is the man. It's nice to C a post from someone who was/is in the biz and in touch. I'm young (25) and all this crap about Conan appealing to younger audience makes me worry about my peers. Go Dave!!!!!!!

SK5 · 6 months ago

I agree...Dave is and will always be the best. I agree with "123", it's silly to even try to compare Letterman with Conan. David Letterman is way better than Conan...or Leno. I'd rank them Dave, Jay, Craig, then Conan in a distant last place. BTW - This Palin joke and all the comments here about it. Get a grip people...seriously. Have you people been hit so hard in the head with a bible that you can no longer have a meaningful discussion? Keep your religious opinoins to yourself. We don;t want to hear them, thank you. Anyway, Dave's apology was more than should be expected, very sincere, and very well-stated. Move on...seriously. Sarah Palin is a proven joke with about as much intelligence as a piece of granite. Find somewhere else to talk about "The Lord". Seriously....

Nick Mendez · 6 months ago

Conan O'Brien is ten times the comic and host that Jay Leno was.

Chuck Roast · 6 months ago

Conan has a cult following of 10 watchers nationwide. You cant tell a joke and then spin around, adjust your jacket, and wave your hair for 5 minutes. Conan will fail.

Mike · 6 months ago

The Tonight Show would have be far better if they had signed the real Woody Wood Pecker as host rather than his look alike--Conan

Nick Johnson · 6 months ago

Yeah right! Conan could not and will never be the comic that Leno, or Letterman for that matter, is today.

Joyce · 6 months ago

Letterman is FAR superior to BOTH Conan and Leno.....no question.

Eugene P Guerra · 6 months ago

Agreed!

Larry · 6 months ago

Please keep Dave in NYC.

We do not need him or his family in Montana.

Civility to others means something here.

CoCo O'Brien still rules · 6 months ago

Eddie Murphy isn't a draw any longer but I'll tell you what, CoCo did manage to get Eddie to be funny again last night. It wasn't Eddie from 25 years ago, but it did seem to me he was trying to break free.

The taped segments have been hit or miss. Maybe LA just isn't as funny as New York?

mikemedeiros · 6 months ago

Andy is the only fresh aspect to the move to LA and they stick him at a podium. Replace the remote pieces and work out some Conan and Andy desk piece chatter and then I'll give it a chance.

Alison · 6 months ago

O'Brian is not funny. I think he's very unattractive and that habit of his of licking his lips ever few seconds makes me ill.

I love Dave!

funnybone · 6 months ago

And Connan also does another annoying thing during the monologue...!
He keep walking towards the camera and walk back while he talks...! That is very desetracting...! Why can't the directors see these things?

Bill · 6 months ago

Thats his "thing", his gimick, he does it on purpose... Come one people, the director is probably the one telling him to do these things... That's his trademark, sorry if it's not your style! Dave is great too, so flip over if you don't like it.

Leno fan · 5 months ago

The directors can't see anything,that's why conan is there the first place.I like Leno,he has some funny lines and several parts I like.I never have watched the tonight show since conan took over and never will,he's just to stupid.It's very easy to see why NBC is fourth.My favorite of all is Ferguson.

NIKI · 6 months ago

AND he claps his hands together over and over once or twice nervously after every single "joke." Dirives me crazy. Cant beleive the producers dont tell him STOP CLAPPING YOUR HANDS CONAN.

Steve · 6 months ago

Even worse than the clapping is his habit of saying "yep" or "yeah" between the set-up and the punch line. It's painful to watch and takes away from the quality of the writing. He's a funny, clever guy, but he's terrible at doing stand-up ... it's very forced. You'd think that after all these years he would have improved.

Wil · 6 months ago

Not that much different than Jay constantly adding little reactions on a joke AFTER the punchline and WHILE the audience was reacting. It too became a nervous tic and drove me crazy. Dave, Craig and even CoCo understands comedy -- tell a joke, let it stand, heck even riff off of it, but never ever give the punchline and then act it out. Lame.

Rabb · 6 months ago

CoCo is the one who has to comment after every joke. Has done it for 17 years now. Sad but true.

burt · 6 months ago

also, "yep, that's right"

gary tull · 6 months ago

I agree! Conan has never been funny and I don't understand how NBC thinks he could ever follow Leno. Dave is my choice.

mikemedeiros · 6 months ago

I've been watching Dave since the morning show almost 30 years ago. I wasn't about to change no matter who hosted The Tonight Show. That combined with Colbert getting me during dark (repeat) weeks for the Late Show (or Family Guy on Adult Swim) .
But if they put Andy on the couch where he belongs I might consider recording a later Colbert broadcast and recording The Tonight Show instead.

Bill · 6 months ago

Family Guy? Are you kidding me... No matter what you say about Conan, he's got that Sh*t and Piss joke comedy beat... The only reason I like family guy is because it provides an employment opportunity for mentally challenged citizens who think they're writers...

mikemedeiros · 6 months ago

I didn't say anything about Conan. His comedy pedigree is one of the best in comedy writing (along with Spike Feresten, Robert Smigel, Colbert and Dino Stamatopolous). But I am not embarassed to laughing out loud at Family Guy. It's no South Park quality wise but it still makes me laugh.
And as far as the Family Guy writers being mentally challenged I say hire more. I'd be more shamful of being a professional sane writer pumping out crap like "According to Jim".
I like and respect Conan but now he's in a slot where he's competing with better writing (Colbert) and someone who's a better more compelling interviewer and is in my blood-Dave.

susan · 6 months ago

i have watch Dave for years Conan is very funny and i love him but i will always watch Dave he is the master at what he does and i always need a dose of Dave before bed i love to laugh

xmediamaven · 6 months ago

It's about time that the networks TELL the media world that Adults 25-54 have more buying power than A18-49. Conan lost...

Marc Alexander · 6 months ago

CoCo is not funny. And when he SCREAMS it like THAT will make it funny
he is forgetting we laying in bed just want soothing wit to go to sleep to.
Jay wasn't funny either, he was old fashioned & HE repeated everything
2 or 3 times for all the folks he thought weren't getting IT followed
by a drum rim shot to punctuate it. He lost it about 10 years ago.
But he was NBC's only hope. His 10 oclock bit will probably fail too
but they will keep him because they will save about 35 million dollars a week
for a 5 mil rating and still be making a profit.
Did you see Will Farrells LOST??? All these unfunny people floating around.
Dave is witty & smart. Since Bush, we need that.

embarrassed · 6 months ago

I have tried to watch Conan. I said to myself that nobody could be as bad as I think Conan is, so give him another try; so I watch again and he is worse than the last time. Does anybody think that that skit in the boardroom with Conan in the fat suit was funny? Amusing? Entertaining? I could only stand about three minutes of it and had to switch to David Letterman. Please, NBC, put him (and us) out of his misery. They shoot horses don't they?

TaMiRMo · 6 months ago

It seems like no one here likes Conan. I just love this guy! He is so funny. Here in israel "Yes" is brodcasting the NBC night sows and "Hot" CBS's so I only watch Conan but when I watch clips of Letterman he makes me laugh either. I think I love Conan more maby because he is more fresh. I believe he will get more comfortable and than win his time period.
Thank you for the update! I love that site, TLF. :)

Grandpa Of 6 · 6 months ago

Conan and Dave's humor are best suited for frat boys after a Saturday night football game when their school won and a keg of beer. I was once part of that group but I had to grow up and enter the real world 40 years ago.

Troy · 6 months ago

Conan uses his old tired routines like pretending that he has ropes at each side and moving them up and down. His comedy is for 4 year olds not adults. He was a loser at his Late Night and will be an even bigger loser here. At least Letterman is funny!!!

JP · 6 months ago

No one is funnier than Conan O'Brien. These ratings are a fluke. Conan grows on you and he'll eventually get better ratings than even Leno because Leno was never funny. David Letterman is boring and only getting older.

coco · 6 months ago

what about Nightline???????

Jan · 6 months ago

My late night comedic preferences in order: Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Chelsey Handler, and David Letterman. I watch Chelsey, then Letterman, and tape Stewart and Colbert.

Conan, although bright, is decidedly unfunny. There are moments when his discomfort is palpable, usually when some unexpected comment requires a witty rejoinder, he is often at a loss. Head writer seems more his forte; performing obviously is not.

Stewart and Colbert are probably two of the best at spontaneous banter, and Chelsey is often ribald and witty in a way rarely seen on television. All three of these performers paid their dues in standup or sketch comedy in front of live, sometimes hostile, audiences before they "made it big" on television. Conan didn't have that training, and it still shows notwithstanding his many years on TV.

NBC has made a horrific mistake here. Jay was not my comedic taste, but most Americans loved his predictable brand of humor. It was comforting to go to sleep at night always knowing what you were going to get, and getting it. Jay was always the consummate pro and deserved better treatment.




http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/06/letterman-beats-...

Aaron · 6 months ago

David Letterman is usually about as funny as a heart attack. Jay always was able to make me laugh and I love the absurdist humor that Conan provides. I also enjoy Craig Ferguson but not Jimmy Fallon. We all have different tastes in humor apparently.

Shawn · 6 months ago

I *loved* Conan until he took over the Tonight Show. What happened?? I truly miss Jay and hope that O'Brian can get his stuff together. Otherwise, NBC will never climb out of the toilet.

Q. Harper · 6 months ago

Jeeze, ratings go up and down. So Letterman beat Conan last night, BFD. He's still a jerk most of the time. His whole attitude has sucked the last 7 years...I'll watch reruns of "The Nanny" before turning Letterman back on.

james · 6 months ago

I knew this would happen the moment that they announced this five years ago. Conan will not be able to do Leno numbers. Whatever the case, the letterman/tonight show numbers are much closer now then they have ever been.

FiftysomethingMO · 6 months ago

I liked Leno better than Letterman, still deciding where to spend my late night TV time but will give Conan a chance.

Craig · 6 months ago

Conan is 100 times funnier then Leno ever was, I guess if your under the age of 50 Leno might have been funny but Conan is way better.

mitch · 6 months ago

Jay was the king. Letterman is a condescending jerk and although at times he may have a good line his personality is such a turn off. Conan is college humor. He will steadily continue to lose audience. Especially if he keeps doing stupid bits like Twitter Tracker with that imbecile yelling. I had to change channels.
Alas, I miss Jay.

Orphie · 6 months ago

Letterman's always been my choice. . quickest wit, most interesting interviewer and all-around best broadcaster. But don't be too quick to sell Conan short. Looks to me like he's been playing it safe during the cross-over. Let's be honest, he's under a lot of pressure to produce. The surreal humor will seep back in as the show finds a groove. Colbert was almost frozen with nerves when his own show dropped. And now, the show couldn't be sharper.

Jack Smith · 6 months ago

Unfortunately, NBC made a HUGE misstake by taking Jay Leno off the Tonight Show. One can only image the mass panic that is going on at GE and its NBC unit. Sell GE stock and buy stock in Maalox and high blood pressure pharmaceuticals. NBC must stand for "No Brains Collectively", because the execs there continue to make blunder after blunder. I predict that the Tonight Show will be off the air within a few months.

annoni · 6 months ago

Never watched the Tonight Show much and with Leno less. Now with Conan (lose the hair) O'Brien, I will likely never watch now matter how many people they drag on and promo the heck out of. I just don't like his sense of humor or his appearance. Sorry. It's not personal. Just don't want to watch him.

annoni · 6 months ago

Oh yeah, and comedy is not what it used to be. It has to be extremely laden with sex and filthy remarks to get a laugh. That's how low we have to sink. Where is the intellectual humor? I suspect other people are right. Conan's humor seems immature.

annoni · 6 months ago

Craig Ferguson is more likeable. Would have been a better choice.

Monique (NYC) · 6 months ago

I dunno..I enjoy Conan....Hope for the best for Coco. Letterman??..BORING unless ur a senior. We miss him here in NY..WTF? Jimmy Fallon is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO lame!! FAIL!

rbea · 6 months ago

The viewers are the Big winners!!!! we are going to see quality and more quality on TV!!!

Kathy · 6 months ago

NBC made their first mistake years ago when they gave Jay Leno the Johnny Carson spot that was suppose to go to David Letterman.
They lost a gold mine in losing Dave who was the heir apparent and a student of Carson. Jay Leno was at times funny, had some funny skits. Conan is not funny and hard to look at.
Letterman is by far the best followed by Craig Ferguson.
Go Dave!

Bored · 6 months ago

Jay Leno was about as funny as a bowl movement. Conan used to be hilarious but NBC looks like they are trying to dumb him down for the over 50 crowd. Craig Ferguson is funnier than all of them.

Earl · 6 months ago

Remember Leno was beaten by Letterman when Jay first took over the show many moons ago. But I must say Conan doing The Tonight Show has chased me to Letterman. Gotta be honest but I have no clue who Conan really is and for NBC to make such a move to create such major changes may turn out to be a big mistake.

We shall see oh we shall see!

David M · 6 months ago

Earl, your overall point may be correct but when Jay first took over the Tonight Show (in 1992) he wasn't competing against Letterman. Letterman was still on at 12:30, doing Late Night until about a year later (1993). You may have meant that Leno was beaten by Letterman for awhile after Letterman stepped into the 11:35 slot??

NJ · 6 months ago

Letterman was funny before he went all liberal. His Obama worship is frightening. He is so afraid to even hint at an Obama joke that he is STILL recycling stale jokes about Bush, seven months after the election. His vicious joke this week about Sarah Palin's underage daughter was just creepy.

Dave would better serve his audience (and the country, for that matter) if he went back to questioning authority instead of now just spewing their Kool-Aid.

godaddy · 6 months ago

The recipe for Limball's Free Bubble Up is taken from Jim Jones' Book of Leadership.

Ronan · 6 months ago

Conan is the greatest!!!!

Tarik · 6 months ago

I really like Letterman, but my favorite is Conan . . . I've watched him since I was 13 and he always cracks me up!! Yes, his humor is juvenile, puerile, assinine even, but it is funny . . . and believe me, I am no frat boy and never have been. But Conan is funny (and charming and witty and silly). One thing I have noticed about his stint at the Tonight Show is that his jokes are getting darker and even meaner . . . . I hope it's just an experiment and he reverts to his good-natured humor completely.

I liked Leno, but his jokes were often on the lamer end of the comic spectrum and he spent too much time trying to be nice rather than being funny. His humor certainly caters to an older sensibility.

wimby · 6 months ago

Never could stand Letterman.. never found him funny..
Conan should be perfect competition.. another one i cant stand
and dont think is all that funny. Good thing the Simpsons are on fox.

Daalcal · 6 months ago

I am a Late Night Fanatic. I use to love Conan when Andy was sitting next to him. I still liked his sketches and his interviews, but got tired the his physical antics such as playing with his hair, twirling, and long stares. I love Jay and Dave. Some nights I was in the mood for Dave and other nights my mood demanded Jay. I like Jimmy Kimmel, very smart very comfortable with himself. I also like Craig Ferguson, but I must be mentally to watch him. Jimmy Falon is OK. John Stewart is great and I respect his knowledge of the issues and how he shows the stupidity of many politicos. Chelsea Handler is very different in a good comic way, but her panel is usually just like teenagers making fun of everyone, often times just mean spirited.

KT8711 · 6 months ago

Conan needs time to grow on people. It's natural that a number of older viewers who were loyal to Jay are going to defect to Letterman at 11:30, because Letterman's comedy is closer to Jay's than Conan's is.

The people who claim Jay will be hosting The Tonight Show again in a few weeks' time are morons. First of all, NBC has invested millions upon millions of dollars in Conan. They moved him to L.A., they built him a brand new studio. They have Jay already signed for a Fall show. The know it was going to take some time for people to adjust to Conan, just like it took people time to adjust to Leno after Carson. The late night battle isn't over after only a week. In fact, it never ends if you really think about it.

Trying to argue about who is funnier is completely worthless. Because it's an opinion. I personally think Conan is hilarious. I never liked Leno's style, but I did like Letterman. I used to watch Letterman at 11:30 and Conan at 12:30. But for now on, I'm watching Conan at 11:30. It's all a matter of taste and it seems that Conan resonates with a younger audience.

Also, since Conan's viewers are younger than Dave's, these immediate ratings don't account for people who DVR The Tonight Show, or watch it on Hulu or NBC.com the next day. I personally can't stay up to watch the show when I have to be at 6am the next morning, so I watch it on Hulu the next day. Conan's younger audience is more tech-savvy and more likely to postpone watching his show, where as Letterman's viewers are more likely to watch the show live. NBC cares about the 18-49 demographic, so the overnight Nielsen ratings don't matter a whole hell of a lot to them now. They want advertisers, and increased viewers on Hulu (which NBC partly owns) and NBC.com is going help them there.

Bill Kraft · 6 months ago

Conan O'Brien's quirky, frenetic borderline creepy style does not sit well with late night viewers who want "comfort food" before bedtime. Andy Richter's fawning over even the dullest jokes grates, too. NBC took a foolish, unwarranted gamble that will haunt them and Conan for years. Letterman is looking better all the time.

Kella · 6 months ago

Dear Conan. with all your kissing up to Leno...did it occur to you that he might have some assurances from NBC brass to take back Tonite show if you fail? Now dont you feel stupid for brown nosing? HAHAHAHAHA

CocoFan · 6 months ago

I never watched Leno, apart from the last night to see him off. Glad Leno is gone. Average host, average jokes. Conan is not only a great replacement to Leno, in fact a far superior late night host. Have watched it every night since he started, and will continue to do so.

Jo · 6 months ago

I didn't miss the Tonight Show more than 8 or 10 times in over 40 years. I am a fan of adult comedy, which kind of diminished when Johnny left, but always watched Jay if an interesting guest was on: Wm Shatner, Clay Aiken, some politicos, Martin Sheen, Jerry Seinfeld, for instance. Now I will watch Nightline and Jimmy Kimmel, the funniest of the crowd.

NBC - big mistake, both Conan and Jay. I never missed Law and Order et al, but anything but NBC will prevail now. Conan lives between middle school and H.S. sophomore, and will enjoy kidnapping football mascots and toilet papering your trees.

SeattleAlan · 6 months ago

Conan is terrible. Jay was much better - had some personality, sophistication and and understanding of his guests. Letterman is so much smarter. I think that people will get tired of Conan's silly stuff and switch to Letterman.
Conan's band needed to be left in NY, too.. Sad deal.

big bear · 6 months ago

i'm not american but have watched most of the late night shows, leno comes out tops aided by a team of good writers and great chemistry with eubanks....conan is no barbarian, he can't crack jokes and looks into his mirror too often.......letterman, not sure where i put him....dislike his grin and the lame top 10 countdown......

XRaySpec · 6 months ago

The worst part about Conan was always that he makes everything about himself. Every interview! Check it out. An interviewee tells a story, Conan's response is how that story relates or doesn't relate to him. It never fails. I've always hated that about his talk show, because it presumes that we care more about the interviewer than the subject.

DALLAS · 6 months ago

I miss Carson, he was the show. I also miss Steve Allen who invented the damn show. Leno totally messed everything up when they changed the studio from the one Milton Beryl designed. And... the one thing that is missing is a class band.... nobody on TV today has a good band.

Elizabeth from Santa Cruz · 6 months ago

Yes, of course Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are the obvious hand-down tops (and Chelsea Handler is fun for her snark). But as far as late night talk, Letterman has always seemed boring to me (though way better politically than Leno was) and Leno was just boring comfort food for the American public (though a very nice guy with none of the sexist comments that Letterman, and unfortunately, Conan make). Conan O’Brien is WAY more creative!! Just like the great Johnny Carson, he is very able to make fun of HIMself, rather than other people. (Jay always played it safe by making fun of others on the street for example--very offensive and condescending; I hated those segments). Jimmy Fallon's first week as late night host had me turning him off, but now he is comfortable, back on his game, and KING. Like Fallon, I predict Conan will get this job right and be one of the best hosts in history, as Johnny Carson was. Conan will win people over with his creativity, willingness to be self-mocking, and clear ability to connect with guests. What a lot of pressure to be all things to all people! I hope he follows his own drummer and the masses will see it’s right-on, and start tuning in.

Elizabeth from Santa Cruz · 6 months ago

Oh but Conan should DUMP his screechy terrible 1940's sounding band. Terrible!!

messiahcomplexio · 6 months ago

Leno as comfort food seems to be another way of saying, "I don't like to be surprised by punchlines. I want my beliefs reinforced with a witty turn of phrase".

And Leno certainly does provide that.

mo · 6 months ago

conans humor is liked by the younger crowd. jays was more focused to a mature crowd. conan is going to have to find that fine line where he can mix it up a bit . I hope he camn pull it off

Kate · 6 months ago

I like both letterman and conan,so i switch back and forth!!! I am happy leno is gone but find it stupid that he is going to be on every night at 10 in the fall, I do not think people want to watch talk shows at ten but then again what do I know about tv!!

Randy Winkey · 6 months ago

Conan is as nauseating as it gets. I've watched the Tonight show religiously since 1973. Now, I can not even get past the opening music before flipping to Dave. As a band director, I can not stomach the annoying screaming trumpet at the end of the opening theme - and the entire show goes downhill from that point on! You name it - Conan's mannerisms, his jokes, his comedy sketches - there is nothing amusing about the show whatsoever. I dreaded June 1 for the past five years after NBC's shocking & idiotic decision. The show is actually worse than feared. From Johnny to Dave to Conan - What has happened to the minds behind NBC!

Bob Dobolina · 6 months ago

Conan's ratings dropped an average of 16% from Monday through Friday of his first week, ending with the worst Friday ratings for the Tonight Show in six months. Conan sucks.

Jay Adler · 6 months ago

I have never been a fan of David Letterman by happenstance only and have always watched Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. At present I have switched to Dave, he is a true pro and while I do not agree with his politics, his abilities as a late night entertainer in my estimation makes Conan O'Brien look like an Idol. I foresee David Letterman pulling way ahead in the ratings. Conan is a nice fellow but he is historically a television writer as is Tina Fey who now has lost her golden goose. The transition that Conan made years ago has never really gone up against competition like David Letterman, a seasoned pro with a strong show biz look.

Ed McMahon · 6 months ago

Letterman sucks !! He should take a lesson from Johnnny Carson and get the hell out while he still has some self respect.

Danascot · 6 months ago

NBC either had to give Conan the show or pay him $45 million. I give it no more than 60 days before NBC decides $45 million is a bargain to get Conan off the air. The question is who will take over next. Jon Stewart would be great, Colbert might be good but he can be quirky (either good or not so much). Chelsea Handler might be great too.

randy · 6 months ago

Conan will bomb as time goes by.
He has some silly skits, was a good comedy writer.
Has a history of comedy writing. THats his thing...
But as an interviewer he stinks.
Can you actually recall even one smart questioning of one of his guests?
"Hows the dog, hows the spouse, hows that new movie going, etc etc".
Letterman is not only smart funny, Letterman is smart interviewing.
Asks good questions. He could easily replace the late Tim Russert.
In fact, THAT would be a great idea, for NBC to snatch Letteremen
as the new MEET THE PRESS host. Naturally it wont happen, but
Letterman is the only option that could save meet the press ratings.

But as to late night talk shows, Conan will along.

DonnyB · 6 months ago

It never fails to amaze me how many people do not believe in facts. Look at the graph above. If you like Conan O'Brien on the Tonight Show, watch him, but I won't; it's apparent that I'm not alone. I felt embarrassed for him when I watched the first couple shows. It's sad. Let him have his juvenile audience (and I don't mean that in age alone) because that's all he will ever have. His show should be moved to Saturday morning to get the crowd that likes him.

Love DAVE · 6 months ago

Letterman is and always has been #1.
The other 2 NBC nerds s__k.

Nancy · 6 months ago

Nothing has changed at my house. I have watched Dave for years and I continue to watch Dave. Last night with Julia was hysterical!! Friday he'll have Sandra Bullock on and Tues. the 16th is Michele Phieffer. What could be better than that??
I also enjoyed Dave's monolog last night as well.

Letterman EuroFan · 6 months ago

When people back home ask me, "What's the one thing I miss most about living in America?" ... I can sum it up in 2 words: David Letterman.

He and his programme are pure genius, witty and unique. We have an affiliate European version of NBC/CNBC and for years, each night they've shown Leno and O'Brien,so I guess it's just O'Brien now (I wasn't even aware) and honestly, I never have watched them in over 15 years here. I can deal with them for about 2 minutes max. Personally, they are not funny.

I have a very successful American-Brit radio talk-music programme here ... I'm in the business per se. I am constantly on the CBS Letterman website for his latest "stuff".

Tubby · 6 months ago

Alas, we don't get Letterman in India, which is one of the great regrets of my life. We get Conan, and I can see why his ratings are doomed. If Late Night is a marathon, we need long distance runners like Dave and Jay, not some whippersnapper who, I predict, is going to drop out of this race sooner rather than later. Dave Rocks!

Jacob · 6 months ago

I truly feel sorry for those who cant understand and appreciate Conan's humor. You're really missing out on something special. I dont know, ive been watching him since I was 10 years old, so maybe that has something to do with it. I certainly realize he's not everyone's cup of tea, but who is?

gayle Casey · 6 months ago

Conan's not funny no matter what time he's on.

LadyRhea · 6 months ago

It is so pitiful to see a "supposed to be grown, adult FATHER' making such lude and unacceptable remarks as David has made this past week................shame on him for not being
more of a real MAN and double shame on CBS for allowing this kind of monolog.

This was your perfect chance to pick up the people that watched Jay Leno for so many years, (now there is a REAL man with character and morals, who would never stoop so low as to
destroy someone else's family and character.) However, Dave blew it.... I have spoken with folks that saw David and heard him making these horrific remarks about Sarah Palin and her family this week and therefore have cut ties with CBS Latenight show.

I wonder how David would feel had it been someone making these kind of remarks about his wife and child? Not well, (I would hope!)............the one thing that this man needs to learn is to THINK before babbling.........and your writers..........well, maybe its time CBS took a long hard look at this show. They have lost a lot of faithful viewers over these crude remarks and this will
only continue to happen. People are SICK of seeing so called professionals act as though they are GOD. And..........by the way, one day he will have to stand before the Lord as will NBC leaders............I wonder what the monolog will be that day!

SK5 · 6 months ago

LadyRhea... Get a grip....seriously. Talk about "The Lord" in your church, or your bible study group, or your bridge game...or wherever there are people who would like to hear your nonsense. Not here.

Conan rules · 6 months ago

I love how some people are on here judging Conan as if to say they could do better. Put them in front of a crowd of people and they would bomb. Theres a reason why they got Conan to replace Jay, it's because he's good. Conans demo is way younger and thats what NBC is trying to do. Everybody ripped on Conan when he started the late show back in the 90's but look how that turned out. His ratings for that slot were good and he built a crowd. Jays target is the older crowd. Maybe Conan will breath some life back into a network that is getting old and crusty.

snippedthread · 5 months ago

I'm one of the older crowd you speak of that liked Jay leno on the Tonight Show and doesn't appreciate Conan's style of humor. Contrary to your thinking my three teenagers don't like Conan either and fight for the remote to turn him off after the news. If Conan's audience was any younger, they wouldn't be able to stay up late enough to watch his show. I don't think it's an age thing, it's a style that you either like or dislike. Looking over the comments on this site, it seems overwhelmingly in favor of anyone but Conan.

Nora · 6 months ago

I was looking forward to watching Letterman tonight and cbs says signal temporarily unavailable, mts t.v. June 11,2009 I am so very disappointed did someone out there make Dave disappear????if someone knows something about this let me know at noradavidson55@hotmail.com

Bobbi · 6 months ago

I hope Conan's ratings continue to drop. I have never liked him was was perplexed when NBC named his as the next Tonight Show host. That said, I can't stand Letterman either so my other choice is Nightline or just turn off the TV and go on to bed. So to all of you out there, like me, who likes neither one of them, join me in watching Nightline or hit the bed too!

Ben · 6 months ago

Fire "Letterman" and cancel "Conan".

rick · 6 months ago

Conan has never been funny or even entertaining always interupting guests. He's juvenile and Tonight show will fail. While I'm not crazy about Dave he is heads above Conan. But think of all the other channels out there. I can surely go to sleep without a talk show.

Conando · 6 months ago

I guess there is nothing but old phoggies in here. Conan is 100x better than Jay and Letterman combined. Get use to it, the youth of this country makes or breaks a show, not you old people.

pauljames58 · 4 months ago

idiot

who cares · 6 months ago

thought he was going to update this la-de-da chart

nadeem · 6 months ago

By shouting and screeching like Conan you do not become funny , besides his face is wooden he cannot make humorous expressions he does not have the class and style of Leno .
Jay Leno had a great way of telling jokes , you could see his guests show thier liking and respect for him and this led to great chemistry between Leno and his guests.
I have to stay Conan has been instrumental in me switching over my loyalty to Letterman .
Is there any way Jay can return

Dummy · 6 months ago

Maybe Conans writing staff is comprised of women and gays. That explains their lack of "American humor". These pathetic late night and early morning producers are in a shallow world of their own

Name · 4 months ago

123 is right on the money and knows comedy, cause nice as Conan might be
he just ain't funny in stand up. Wow all these folks are right tell a lame joke,
clap his hands, move his jacket, flip his hair it is PAINFUL to watch..
If there is someone who thinks he is funny is clueless about comedy. Please
suits at NBC in everything JCarson, please retire Conan. Have a show looking for a replacement, I would watch that show at least. Now it is watching Conan ratings slide lower and lower until someone who is smarter than us pulls the plug. Conan go back to writing and have a nice life this just ain't your gig.
Find a new guy in Wichita or Nebraska and get him some good writers and leave him alone, best part of America is we get to turn off your mistakes...

jjtreefarm · 4 months ago

I"ve watch Leno and Letterman for years. Conan is as worthless as tits on a boar. Who are these political managerial idiots that think Conan is better than Leno!!!
They should be replaced; not Leno!!!

I'm watching Letterman 100% of the time now; like the rest of the nation.

ac6000 · 4 months ago

You are correct. Conan was a "hey you" last minute desperation choice for David Letterman. So he was a writer for the Simpson's, big fu--ing deal. Leno came to California, lived in his car, was in the comedy trenches, started with nothing but desire - Leno has more than paid his dues. The ONLY reason O'brien enjoyed any success whatsover is due to his show FOLLOWING Leno. NBC totally f--cked up; yep the ratings are starting to show this. I really had hoped Leno would go to ABC and take Nightline's spot. 3-way competition with Leno kicking ass. I have to admit after watching Leno since he was guest hosting for Carson all these years, I'm left with no real choice. I watch Letterman, for at least til the fall season when Leno is back on the air, (thank god).

Nick · 3 months ago

You guys are morons. If you don't like Conan don't watch. Conan is winning in the young demographic because he does the extra things after the jokes. Young people know that the jokes are lame (just like all late night jokes) and Conan doesn't try to hide it. If they bomb he makes fun of himself or the show. He acts out most of them because he knows that the jokes aren't the attraction...HE IS...When Jay hosted he would reach for Newspaper articles or comments from stupid people to get laughs. Watch Conan's skits, he isn't looking for idiots to put on TV because he is the draw. Put him in any situation and he will make it funny.

I personally like certain things Jay did and I also love Letterman, but Conan is very funny and I enjoy him (both when he was on Late Night and the Tonight Show) much more than Jay and Dave.

Name · 1 month ago

Wow, looks like Letterman's got his intern bimbos writing comments these days. Dave hasn't been funny in 20 years. Leno goes for cheap laughs. O'Brien is the funniest and the edgiest by far.

Lucky · 1 month ago

Since Carson left, there has not been any one to take his place. Especially Letterman! He tries to tell a joke and waits to see if anyone laughs!
I can't stand the man myself but that is MY opinion!
He should get a real job and see how the rest of us live.........

Lucky · 1 month ago

Letterman funny??????

Ernie · 1 month ago

I like watching Jay Leno. I have yet to watch a full show of Conan. I now watch
Jay @ 10pm then switch to Dave at 11pm. Jay does great monologues, but I would like to see more guests and fun routines.

Bill Lodge · 1 month ago

It is Who sucks the least.
3. Leno
2. Conan
1. Letterman sucks the most

FREE · 1 month ago

What drivel. All of these late-night talk shows are for an audience that isn't there.
They should all thank there lucky stars Fox news doesn't do a late night 'Leno' or 'Letterman' type show. Mind you watching there marketshare drop once again might wake them up, but I wont hold my breath. HAHAHAHA