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<\/a>When NBC hesitated to confirm rumors that it was pulling “The Jay Leno Show” from primetime, most assumed it would give the 10PM talk show experiment a few more weeks before making a decision.<\/p>\n
That did not happen. Speaking before critics at the TCA press tour in California, NBC’s Jeff Gaspin confirmed that “The Jay Leno Show” will be pulled from primetime, effective February 12.<\/p>\n
“While it was performing at acceptable levels, it did not meet our affiliates’ needs. My goal right now is to keep Jay, Conan and Jimmy as part of our late-night lineup. As much as I’d like to tell you we have a done deal, we know that’s not true,” said Gaspin.<\/p>\n
The network had initially said it would give Jay Leno’s primetime hour a 52-week try to establish itself in the 10PM hour. But as its ratings consistently failed to deliver and thus cost affiliate news programs a valuable lead-in, it was becoming a liability for the network–not to mention a source of mockery for television insiders.<\/p>\n
When the cancellation rumors began, the belief was that NBC would look to move “Leno” to the comedian’s previous 11:35PM timeslot for a half hour show. Conan O’Brien’s “The Tonight Show” would follow at 12:05AM, leading into “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” at 1:05.<\/p>\n
Gaspin confirmed that such a plan is on the table, but he noted that the deal has not yet been made. There has been some speculation about whether O’Brien, whose takeover as NBC’s king of late night was already shortchanged in a way when Jay Leno received the 10PM show, would be willing to move.<\/p>\n
According to Gaspin, however, Conan was “gracious” upon learning the news and that his interest has always been getting to serve as the face of “The Tonight Show.”<\/p>\n
Talks on the future of NBC late night will resume Monday.<\/p>\n