cryforburke.

Conan Makes his statement….

I think by this point, anyone who actually reads this sparsely updated blog understands that when we type “we” we really mean “I,” so from now on, or at least for this update, I’m gonna stick with “I.”  There is no office,  no group of interns or surly, sailor suited accountants. Just me.  A 28 year old unemployed comedian/actor that probably owes his entire life’s ambitions to the man pictured above.

I cannot think about Conan O’brien without thinking about school nights staying up way too late just to make sure I catch his show.  Without thinking about the sharp stabbing pains of hysterical laughter, held in with the hope that my mom wouldn’t hear and tell me to shut off the TV.    Without thinking about how I just couldn’t understand how anyone could come up with the kind of jokes he came up with.  Without thinking about the first time I saw the masturbating bear or Preparation H Raymond or the Year 2000 and realizing it’s possible and acceptable for a grown man to be so absolutely ridiculous, silly and smart.

It was pleasure watching him on Late Night and I’m sure it was a pleasure watching him on the Tonight Show.  Sadly, having no television, I was only able to catch the first few episodes.  I always assumed his show would still around when I finally got off my ass and  able to afford TV.   Looks like, at least when it comes to the Tonight Show, it just ain’t gonna happen.  Somewhere in that epic cluster fuck of a network at NBC, someone thought it would be a good idea to give Leno his 11:30pm spot back and push Conan and the Tonight Show to 12:05am, essentially making it “The This Morning Show.”

Conan, always the class act, has decided that his reputation, along with the legacy of The Tonight Show, is more important than staying with NBC.  I’m glad he’s making this decision and really looking forward to what ever it is he decides to do next.   Below is Conan’s statement regarding this whole fiasco.  It’s a good read.  I think you’ll like it.

People of Earth:

In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision. Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over “The Tonight Show” in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004, I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both. But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my “Tonight Show” in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule. Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the “Tonight Show” to 12:05 to accommodate the “Jay Leno Show” at 11:35. For 60 years, the “Tonight Show” has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the “Tonight Show” into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The “Tonight Show” at 12:05 simply isn’t the “Tonight Show.” Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the “Late Night” show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy. So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard, and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of “The Tonight Show.” But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet, a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the “Tonight Show,” I believe nothing could matter more. There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work. Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.

Yours,

Conan