After floundering ratings, undertones of resentment and weeks of speculation, The Jay Leno Show has officially been cancelled, according to NBC chairman Jeff Gaspin yesterday. (Shock!) Of course, this comes as no surprise to those well-versed in television politics (or those frequenting various gossip sites), who’ve been observing the network’s refusal to talk post-Olympic programming in addition to the recent news that Conan O’Brien may be heading to Fox. (Remember the time NBC politics were nearly as interesting as those on Laguna Beach?)
Word on the street is that Conan’s ratings have slipped, scripted shows are being cancelled due to Leno’s presence in the coveted 10-spot and that Jimmy Fallon essentially fails at late night. (Well, the first two are official “ the last part is just my humble opinion.)
Regardless, NBC’s late-night lineup will undoubtedly be shaken up since Leno seems to be the network’s golden boy “ despite the show’s controversy or animosity among television writers. (Does anybody else remember Tina Fey’s comments at this year’s Emmys?) As attested on Sunday, Gaspin’s goal right now is to keep Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon as part of [NBC’s] late-night lineup “ but that no done deal has been reached.
I think we all know that when it comes to grey areas, there’s room for change/speculation/rumours/controversy (among others). Now let’s see if NBC’s funnymen can keeping laughing all the way to the bank.
