Is Leno a goner? Moving to 11:30?

A report from TMZ confirmed that Jay Leno is moving back to 11:30 after the Winter Olympics, ending the half-year long experiment by NBC.

NBC gave the following statement:

“Jay Leno is one of the most compelling entertainers in the world today. As we have said all along, Jay’s show has performed exactly as we anticipated on the network. It has, however, presented some issues for our affiliates. Both Jay and the show are committed to working closely with them to find ways to improve the performance.”


I suppose the numbers do back up what they're saying though it's anyone's guess what is the real truth. Jeno's ratings started great but fell under 2.0 within weeks. Currently the ratings are hovering between 1.5 and 1.8 which is bad, but considering the low cost of the show that isn't too bad. Since the ratings dropped below last year's ratings at 10 PM, the local affiliates lost lots of viewers for 11 PM news which made them bad.

Why fans of television should hope for a Jay Leno failure

Whether or not you think Leno is the funniest guy in the world or the most boring person in the world, there is a clear and present danger posed when NBC gives him the 10 o'clock slot 5 nights a week. Television has always been a 3 hour primetime event. The comedies are in the 8 o'clock hour, 9 has something more dramay (pronounced drama-ee), and 10 has the serious dramas. While there are deviations in the format, no network has ever embarked on something so radical as putting late-night talk instead a scripted show.

Echoing George Kennan, we must contain this invasion of late-night talk onto our sacred ground (I'm being facetious). If Leno succeeds, could we see Letterman or Kimmel at 10? ABC is struggling with their programming, and 5 hours a week they don't have to worry about sounds like a godsend. Could networks' really have 5 less shows a week because a late-night guy wants a piece of the action?

I expect the numbers for the first week to be great, probably over 3.5 in the 18-49 demo, but I don't think it'll last. That may just be my wishes projected onto my thoughts, but I am genuinely worried. The Jay Leno Show represents a danger to all television, scripted or unscripted, and I hope all those who share my view do not watch.