Last night, Conan O’Brien began his reign as the host of The Tonight Show. As the NBC promos have reminded us, the red-haired comedian is only the fifth person to hold the position and he’s got some pretty big shoes to fill.
For the first episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, the host seemed very much at ease. Of course, hosting Tonight isn’t a far cry from his previous job. Though he’s moved to the West Coast, much about the new show seemed the same. That may help or hurt him since his old show’s ratings haven’t been as solid as Tonight’s have been.
In terms of number for last night’s show, O’Brien’s debut performed well but it wasn’t extraordinary. It was the highest rated episode of Tonight since January 24, 2005. That was a tribute to Johnny Carson who’d died the day before.
Compared to the usual ratings for Tonight, MediaWeek reports that O’Brien’s first episode attracted 82% more viewers in the overnights than the second quarter average, a 7.1 rating. That’s 154% higher than last night’s Late Show with David Letterman and a much bigger win over Nightline and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Of course, it’s difficult to judge the show on just one outing. As history has shown, hosting the Tonight Show is much more like a long marathon than a quick sprint. It’ll be interesting to see if O’Brien can sustain the ratings dominance of his predecessor.
What do you think? Did you watch and will you tune in again? Is O’Brien right for the job?
In case you missed it, here’s another chance…
Image courtesy NBC.
More about:
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
{ 89 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
I loved Late Night and I love this just like I loved Late Night. Twitter Tracker’s awesome, it reminds me of Late Night Sausage Party
D
About this show.. I can’t really compare TS with Jay Leno and TS with Conan O’Brien, because I only saw one episode of Jay Leno – the channel wasn’t free. And even if I’ve seen some youtube-clips, I don’t think it would be fair, because I’ve loved Conan since I was 11
What a completely juvenile self-centered bore! all of the whooping and laughter is so horribly false and certainly not deserved. What a shame that this show has degenerated into such drivel.
It’s sad that quite a few people on here resort to calling the people who enjoy Conan “idiots”, and “stoners”. I enjoy Conan O’Brien, most people who watched Jay Leno aren’t ready for Conan’s style of humor. Evidently Jay though Conan was the right fit because Jay’s last guest on the Tonight show? Conan, Johnny Carson didn’t invite Jay on his show when Jay was supposed to take over.
Now, I’m sure most of the parents of the people who say “Carson and Leno rock!!!” and “O’Brien sucks because I’m an ornery person who doesn’t like change” thought that Carson was a terrible replacement compared to Steve Allen, and Jack Parr.
When Conan enters the room, I can’t change the channel fast enough! I find him so obnoxiously silly and NOT the least bit humorous.
Conan O’Brien lacks in talent for the Tongiht Show. Jimmy Fallon is more talented and would do a much better job. Andy, Conan’s sidekick is a joke. Why NBC gave O’Brien this job when Jay Leno was leading in the ratings on a constant basis I’ll never know.
What a shame that NBC did not see it coming. I tried to watch Conan several times, but it was too painful. You know the old adage, if it works, leave it alone. Well I guess NBC did not get it and now the entire tonight show is in shambles. I just hope that Leno can revive the mess that NBC created.
So I see the AARP crowd continues to bash Conan and the tonight show. If it bothers you that much, turn it off and wash your dentures, peruse reader’s digest, do some word search puzzles or something else the elderly love to do.
Change scares you, we get it.
All right!!!! Jay is back on NBC! I even rather like the earlier time slot. Maybe, just maybe, NBC’s brass will get the picture and get that idiot O’brien OFF the network. Jay’s ratings ROCKED on opening night. I believe even after he settles into his niche audience, he will do better that Conan is doing late night.
jay leno show or csi
HELLO
what do they have working at nbc nitwits
and as for canan he STINKS
never watched the tonight show again since Conan took over!
never watched the tonight show again since Conan took over! can’t watch someone try to be funny!
Man, there are a lot of haters out there. I love Conan. I’m 34 seen Johnny and Jay, but I love Conan. It seems people find change hard, as for me, ROCK ON CONAN.
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →