Jay & Conan hatch an escape scenario!
Even stupid pet tricks couldn't have saved Leno!
Last week I was confronted with a perplexing situation.
Every time I started to insert "tags" for a post about to be published on the Internet, one for the "Jay Leno Show" would slip into the designated box mysteriously (of its own accord).
If the curious phenomena occurred just once, I might have written it off as just one of those "things", that unexpectedly goes bump in the night now and then.
But, after about five times, my intuitive (psychic) side whispered in my ear that something was up.
Although I didn't know what, I was inclined to keep my focus in that direction.
Sure enough, by the end of last week, the rumors persisted that top honchos at NBC were engaged in serious talks in the boardroom about the Jay Leno Show and its eventual demise.
Confidential inside sources whispered that Jay's show was getting the axe!
Although the network suits denied it, the tongues continued to wag nonetheless.
Finally, over the weekend, NBC brass was ready to cry "give" and admit the awful truth.
The Jay Leno show was dumping big-time in the ratings race!
And, the whole tawdry misstep, was having a domino effect on the peacock network.
Local affilliates saw their ratings dive, for example, when Leno failed to deliver up ratings on a silver platter (as promised?).
Right out of the gate - it was obvious to moi - that the big-chinned comic's try-out in the big leagues wasn't going to pan out.
And, there were a myriad of reasons, why.
For example, although the tonight show took a short hiatus before revving up for Jay's new incarnation, no one on the creative team appeared to have put much thought or effort into re-tooling NBC's crown jewel.
Did they even bother to add a fresh coat of paint to the set?
Indeed, just beneath the egg-shell surface, the stale old format was poking through.
Sure, the first week out, Leno boasted a smattering of high-profile comics (Jerry Seinfeld, for starters) and a glittering roster of popular actors to act as bait (but once that novelty wore off it was the same old same old).
The truth of the matter?
A talk show slotted in at 10 pm on a major network just doesn't have the capacity to take off - or sustain itself gangbusters - from the very get-go!
Think about it.
A feature film scheduled for broadcast during the entertainment hour is likely to hit half-time around ten in the evening (and roll the credits just shy of the nightly news).
Unless there is a top notch guest on Leno, it's doubtful many folks would switch the channel and interrupt their popcorn movie.
Granted, if there was a popular guest on one night, viewers might dicker over whether to tune in to catch the much-gabbed-about appearance (if President Obama was guesting, for instance).
But, guess what?
They'd just flip back to the previous programming once they've satisfied their curiosity.
The ratings bonanza the first week out, was an easy one to fathom, by the way.
TV viewers tuned in en masse to check out the new kid on the block, and to have something to chat about at the water cooler next day at work.
Yup!
Audiences are a fickle lot, alright.
Just ask Jay!
Jay in drag didn't boost ratings even a smidgen!
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