Jay Leno Kills Southland

Is talk show helping NBC, or destroying it?

(NEWSER) - Jay Leno’s primetime takeover has sparked furious debate in the TV business, as its ripple effects begin to be felt. Shows that thrived at 10pm, like Law & Order SVU, are dying in other slots; at least one, Southland, has been canceled outright. Anonymously, producers are calling the move a “complete calamity” and “utter disaster,” the New York Times reports. More»

Real prime-time shows beat talk show every night

(NEWSER) - Here’s one headline Jay Leno won’t want to read. Ever since the fall TV season began in earnest Sept. 21, the former king of late night has been getting his keister kicked in primetime. He’s finished in last place every single night, with his numbers falling steadily and hitting a new low of 4.5 million viewers on Monday. Over those first two weeks, he represents a 25% dropoff from NBC’s 10pm offerings last year. More»

Primetime debut likely won't stray far from late night formula

(NEWSER) - Two writers for Comedy.com who infiltrated a test taping of the new Jay Leno Show found it “muddled and confusing,” and they say Leno continues to “be a big ladle serving us more imitation comedy gruel.” Some insights:

• The studio: "Basically the old Tonight Show setup" but with "2 chairs and no desk, which we thought was awkward. Can Leno conduct an intimate interview with a guest?"

Get ready for Leno to be everywhere you look

(NEWSER) - Get ready for Jay—lots and lots of Jay. Though nearly 80% of viewers are aware that the Jay Leno Show is on the horizon, NBC is going to beat you over the head until you're drooling for its 10pm venture, the New York Times reports. A 24-hour webcam has been set up, and Leno’s image is gracing theater popcorn bags and soda cups. Next: billboards, bus shelters—even an adopted freeway (Interstate 10—get it?). More»

(NEWSER) - After months of promoting Jay Leno's move to 10pm, NBC may shake up its prime-time schedule again, moving its late local news to 10 and Leno to 10:30, the network's onetime programming head speculates. Garth Ancier, now chief of BBC America, shared his speculation with critics at the summer press tour this week in Los Angeles, Washington Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes reports. More»