NBC/GE is thinking about replacing Jay Leno because of the strike

[itsrobert]

I wonder who they will get? My money is on right wing stooge, Pat Sajak.

[Superman Returns]

1. link?

[itsrobert]

2. Saw it on KABC News at 11

I'll check for a link.

[itsrobert]

3. Link here...

Also Ellen D. is crossing the picket line. Bad move by her. http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=entertainment&id=5752588

[FreeStateDemocrat]

17. Gov. Schwarzenegger....He said the strike was already having a major impact on the state's economy.

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has urged both sides to settle their differences quickly. He said the strike was already having a major impact on the state's economy."

I find that hard to beleive that this would majorly impact an economy as large as Californicate's.

[sandnsea]

4. BIG mistake, I so hope they try that

People will not like someone like Leno being threatened because he stands up for his union. Even anti-union people won't go for that. Oh that would be the best thing for the working people if GE did that. Are they that out of touch with what working people are feeling these days?

[MADem]

5. Leno is out the door in 09, anyway. Conan is replacing him. NT

[soothsayer]

13. But Leno said he doesn't want to go now, and since he's still #1, I wonder

why they are pushing him out? WE'll see when push comes to shove. If he doesn't go, Conan gets $40 mil, but that's nothing.

[MADem]

14. Who knows, really? He appeals to those worn-out baby boomers who

are being pushed aside these days, I guess! NBC wants the slightly younger demographic at that hour!

Maybe they'll put Leno on Lifetime or some other Geezerish Network, right after Lawrence Welk reruns!!

I'm a geezer, so I can get snarky about these business decisions....

[Superman Returns]

6. if they did that to Leno

I'm sure he would fine ways to humiliate NBC.

[MiniMe]

7. They did it to Johnny Carson with Leno

I really miss Johnny.

[Teaser]

8. Didn't Carson want to retire?

Agreed, though, his breezy humor was perfect for the time slot.

[MADem]

15. Johnny left ENTIRELY under his own steam. He could have stayed another year or five if he wanted.NT

[SoCalDem]

16. Johnny's beef was that NBC and Johhny had promised the show to Dave

and Leno's agent lobbied for him, and they decided that if they gave the show to dave, they would have to get someone new for his spot, so they stalled Dave and gave it to leno..with a caveat, that if it did not do well, Dave "could still have it".. Dave called Johnny and asked what to do.. Johnny said " I'd tell them to shove it".. and dave did..

When Leno took over, he did not even acknowledge Johnny.. His first show was as if JC had never existed..

and when Johnny died, Dave did almost a whole show as an homage to him.. leno did say nice things about him, but you could tell he was only going through the motions.

[MADem]

23. All that is true, but Carson backed off in the end. Frankly, he was such a money maker that

had he inserted himself into the decision making process aggressively, he might have--probably would have--gotten his way.

However, and despite the fact that Carson preferred Letterman's humor AND had a personal relationship with him, Carson just didn't "go to the wall" for Letterman.

His attitude was pretty humble, actually--he was 'talent' and the suits were 'management.' He wasn't going to interfere with management, especiallly since he wasn't going to be involved in the franchise after he departed the program.

Leno knew full well he wasn't first pick (he did have a good and aggressive agent, though, who got him the gig, and he had shown himself to be a very hard worker--still is--AND a 'team player' which made the suits happy), and he spent the initial year or more of his new job taking horrible advice from the 'management.' Everything from a dark, depressing purple set to a bandleader (Marsalis) who was technically and musically BRILLIANT, but completely WORTHLESS as a Severinsen-McMahon style foil--it's astounding Leno even survived that initial launch and the subsequent stumbles.

The irony is, had Letterman waited, and not told them to 'shove it,' they probably would have dumped Leno and slid Dave in the job. But then, he might not have survived his heart problems and he might not have become an elderly father. Things happen for a reason sometimes...

[Cha]

25. They do happen for a reason..

all the time, and it's just not seen immediately, sometimes.

[book_worm]

9. Several years ago Pat Sajak had a late-night talk show which was a big bomb

I doubt they would replace Jay with Sajak.

[tomreedtoon]

10. Who will be the next Scab Talk Show Host?

Currently striking writer Mark Evanier wrote on his blog about this "career ending opportunity." Whoever takes this position will be hated and sabotaged for the rest of his or her career. (Don't count out women; the superannuated corpse Joan Rivers might take the job. She won't live long enough to suffer the consequences of her actions.)

Does anyone remember when Walter Cronkite walked off the CBS Evening News? I forget if it was a strike he was in, or was supporting. However, I remember the character they got to replace him, with the announcer saying "This is the CBS Evening News...with Arnold Zenker."

[JDPriestly]

11. Stephanie Miller would be a good choice.

The country is moving left. They ought to get with the program. With some really good writers (not that her material is bad at this time), she would be brilliant in the late night spot. It would be refreshing to see a woman competing in that slot.

[soothsayer]

12. I think they mean a scab as a temporary measure. I hope she wouldn't do that!

[JDPriestly]

20. I thought you were talking about a permanent replacement.

Sorry. I misunderstood and did not know the context.

[Algorem]

18. i'm sure they'll stick with right wing stooge conan o'brien

he's a very dependable and successful right wing stooge

[MADem]

24. Say WHAT? Where do you get that? nt

[KharmaTrain]

19. Replacement Programming...Sheesh

I suspect other networks will have to make the same call soon. There's only so many reruns you can show on these late night shows and the shelf-life is running dry.

Leno has said he won't cross the WGA lines, as have other performers, and this will keep these shows out of production. Those that do will be heavy with interviews...the reason for those shows going back on is to make sure the rest of the staff still gets paychecks.

[undeterred]

21. Well do they need someone who can be funny without a writer?

Get a comedian.

[earth mom]

22. Union Busting...not a good idea NBC.

:puke:

[Reader Rabbit]

26. Dennis Miller is always willing to whore for corporate America.

Maybe they'll pick him.