SAYATA

Reports are that Conan O’Brien has been given a choice by NBC on whether to stay and be bumped to 30 minutes later or jumping ship to a different network.

In backrooms there may be discussions by CBS on whether to work out a deal with O’Brien to do a daytime syndicated talk show. There has also been rumors that FOX may be considering a deal they might offer for a nighttime show. At this point, very few people have any real idea where any of NBC’s mess will shake out.

What seems to be missing from most of the analysis of the situation and NBC’s own consideration is something that O’Brien seems to be most respectful. This isn’t about Jay Leno or Conan O’Brien. This is about The Tonight Show. This is about a property, a legacy, that Johnny Carson largely created and which GE’s NBC is too stupid to respect much less maintain.

When Jay Leno inherited the sacred Johnny Carson spot on The Tonight Show it was a big deal. It was a sacred honor. It was an honor that many of us didn’t think Jay Leno in anyway deserved. Under Jay Leno, The Tonight Show never measured up to the show it was under Johnny Carson.

Conan O’Brien has been trying to make The Tonight Show what it once was. He has been respectful of the legacy.

I am not saying that Leno isn’t funny. I am not saying he shouldn’t be given a higher budget once or twice a week variety type show. But NBC and Leno should be respectful of the torch they passed to Conan O’Brien.