If you’ve never read a book by Bill Carter, it’s time to start. I just finished reading ‘Desperate Networks,’ which kept me in solitary confinement for the past week because I couldn’t put it down. Carter is most famous for penning ‘The Late Shift,’ which chronicled the very ugly Leno/Letterman transition of ‘The Tonight Show’ when Johnny Carson left. So I naturally wondered if he is going to write another book about the Leno/Conan debacle, and I am happy to report that it is in the works. Carter told the New York Times that he is trying to get the book out as “as soon as [he] can,” and he is “reaching out to all sides” so that he has an unbiased point of view.
Tag: Jay Leno
Kevin Eubanks Says Farewell to the Tonight Show (video)
Kevin Eubanks has officially left ‘The Tonight Show.’ Leno played some clips of his favorite Eubanks moments as a tribute, and it actually served as a reminder that Eubanks used to play a more pivotal role in the show. I’m not sure when he transitioned to just being a Leno laugh track, rather than a participant in some of the show’s skits. I will miss seeing him though. He seemed to be a genuinely nice guy that wasn’t too affected by Hollywood.
Dear Hollywood Reporter – You Suck – Back Off the Conan Insults
The Hollywood Reporter wrote a ridiculous article about why Conan should not have interviewed with 60 minutes. Among their many ludicrous reasons, is that he wasn’t funny, he seems too hurt, and that his comedy tour clips looked “sad.” You guys suck. Obviously you have NBC and Jay Leno in your pocket, and you therefore feel the need to pick on Conan. People wanted to hear from him. Yes he’s sad he lost the show. He’s sad that NBC, the network that he put in 13 years with, turned on him. America wants to hear from him. And there is nothing wrong with him being honest about what happened. Had he not openly talked about it, people would accuse him of being a pussy that’s too afraid of NBC to say anything. By the way guys, he isn’t a hypocrite for going to cable after leaving NBC. The reason he wanted ‘The Tonight Show’ is because of Johnny Carson, not because he thirsts to be on a network. Suck it! Read the article below.
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Obama Jokes About Jay Leno At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner – Watch a Clip
Conan O’Brien May Not Fire Max Weinberg After All
Amidst reports that Team Conan sacked Max Weinberg after he courted Jay Leno, O’Brien’s team claims that “no details for the TBS show have been set as of now, none at all.” Here’s hoping that when the details are set, Weinberg gets canned. Anyone that would jump ship so quickly to the enemy has questionable loyalty. If Weinberg doesn’t return, I’m sure that the reason given to the press will be that he is too busy kissing Bruce Springsteen’s ass to give Conan his full attention. Conan needs to find someone that wants to be there.
Comedy Central Locks in Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert Till 2013
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert will stick with Comedy Central at least until 2013. It’s a good thing too, considering they’re the only real news stations left. They will soon go up against Conan O’Brien on TBS, which everyone is making a big deal about because they are both cable comedy shows. I don’t think it really matters though. Stewart and Colbert have a very specific audience that doesn’t really overlap with O’Brien’s audience. The interesting fight will be Letterman v. Leno v. O’Brien v. Kimmel. Oh yeah – who can forget Chelsea Lately? Just put all the late night folks in a big pit and let them mud wrestle. That’s how I solve everything.
Slash Wears ‘Team Coco’ Pin on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’
I guess it’s clear where Slash’s allegiance lies in the late night feud. He appeared on Leno to perform a song from his self-titled solo album, wearing a ‘Team Coco’ pin to support Conan O’Brien. This is a pretty crafty way of showing his Leno defiance, given that boycotting the show altogether would make Slash miss out on some beneficial album promotion. Click the link below to see a picture of Slash wearing the pin.