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5 Things Conan Could Do Next

Launch a Fox rival? Return to SNL ? Reality TV?

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 11, 2010 5:57 PM CST

(Newser) – NBC's shabby treatment of Conan O'Brien has been a recurring theme of the Jay Leno-centric late-night shuffle, but "he-who-rocks-the-dopest-pompadour-on-TV" has more options than you might think. MTV ponders his options.

  • Defect to Fox: The network is apparently interested, and it would be a great way to tick off NBC. But Fox has a terrible track record with late-night talk shows.
  • Saturday Night Live: O'Brien's writing tenure at SNL coincided with a memorably strong run for the show, but Tonight Show host to "Cheeto-dusted anonymity" is a major step down.

  • Write a tell-all: It would be hilarious and informative, but writing a memoir would mean leaving TV for an extended period—in essence, throwing in the towel.
  • Become a reality star: O'Brien already has a Jersey Shore nickname, but "you can't taint your brand by slumming it at the lowest common denominator."
  • Stay put: The NBC bosses are jerks, but you're still the host of the Tonight Show. The start time might be humiliating, but any other job will be a step down.

This Nov. 7, 2007 file photo shows Conan O'Brien in New York.
This Nov. 7, 2007 file photo shows Conan O'Brien in New York.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)
In a photo provided by NBC Conan O'Brien  makes his debut as the host of NBC's The Tonight Show in this June 1, 2009 file photo in Universal City, Ca.
In a photo provided by NBC Conan O'Brien makes his debut as the host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" in this June 1, 2009 file photo in Universal City, Ca.   (AP Photo/Paul Drinkwater/NBC)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
Rocket448
Jan 18, 2010 7:35 AM CST
I agree. Ferguson does 5x more entertainment in one hour, despite the low-rent studio he works in, than either NBC funnyman can produce in a week. And another thing; Conan's humor may be perfect for the frat-boy 18-25y/o but the Tonight Show was intended to appeal to the 35-65 segment. Silly shit is out of place on the TS. NBC has abandoned an important demographic, and I blame it on a lack of succession planning. The juggernaut Johnny Carson created has gone off the rails -- Johnny's real successor is a former Scot who likes to use puppets.
DontLikeYou___
Jan 12, 2010 12:57 PM CST
Conan is awesome-- some of the funniest stuff on t.v.
Netstorm2k10
Jan 12, 2010 12:51 PM CST
Fratboy, lol!
 

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