Talk:The Late Shift (film)

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Film: American

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Unsourced, moved from article to talk page

2010 Tonight Show Host/Time Controversy

Interest in the movie returned during the 2010 Tonight Show host and timeslot controversy. NBC tried to prevent a repeat of the 1992-93 incident documented in the film by announcing a succession plan in 2004. At the time it was agreed that in 5 years (in 2009) Leno would retire from the Tonight Show and pass the torch to Late Night host Conan O'Brien. The plan fell through when Leno publicly rescinded his intentions to retire, implying that he would leave for FOX or ABC at the conclusion of his contract. NBC feared facing him as a competitor and retained him to host a 10pm version of his talk show in 2009, dubbed The Jay Leno Show. Eventually the show failed because it could not delivery proper lead in audiences for local news affiliates. When NBC decided to move The Jay Leno Show to 11:35pm and bump The Tonight Show to 12:05am Conan O'Brien objected on principle, refused to move, and began negotiations for release from his contract. Leno would most likely return to host The Tonight Show after Conan's departure. Conan's time as Tonight Show host lasted only 7 months and Leno will become to first person to have non-consecutive terms as full-time host. The debacle caused a media sensation as the two hosts exchanged barbs at each other and NBC management in their scripted monologues.

Parallels can be seen between the events covered by The Late Shift and the current day fiasco whereby NBC in both instances dreaded the defection of Leno to the point that they alienated the supposed successor in the Tonight Show line. Letterman was passed over to keep Leno in 1992 and O'Brien was never able to get out of the shadow of his predecessor. Arguably the 2009-2010 incident was more egregious since David Letterman never was host of The Tonight Show while Conan O'Brien actually had the position only to lose it to the man he replaced.

Reception

The movie was often mocked on Letterman's Late Show around the time of its initial airing, particularly for Higgins' lack of resemblance to Letterman and the red hair Higgins had in the movie. Higgins had been booked to appear on Late Show at least twice and was bumped each time.

Jay Leno has often praised Roebuck's portrayal of him when a guest on The Tonight Show brought up the film.

Unsourced, moved from article to talk page. Cirt (talk) 22:55, 18 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]