I have to say something, America. I’m embarrassed.
I’m not embarrassed as a fan of Conan. I love Conan. I always have, and I always will.
I’m not embarrassed as a fan of the Tonight Show. It’s a program with an awesome, powerful history.
I’m not embarrassed as a fan of late night television in general. I still think it’s the best television available.
I am embarrassed, however, to be a part of the first generation to let their late night icon fail.
Conan is the most talented late night host this decade has seen. That’s not an opinion. That’s a fact. He has a more devoted following than any other, and, whether or not you want to admit it, he has better material.
This isn’t even about that, though. It’s not about Conan vs. Letterman, or Conan vs. Leno.
Well, maybe it’s Conan vs. Leno.
You know what this is? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Leno never did well under a show title without the word Tonight because people don’t like him unless he’s the successor to Johnny Carson.
That’s right.
Everyone knows the power behind Tonight. Everyone pines for it. It’s been Conan’s dream, Letterman flipped his shit when he lost out to Leno for it, Leno obviously needs it back.
This is why I’m embarrassed. How, in Christ’s name, can we as a television watching community, as a people founded upon the principles of self-reliance and liberty, allow this to continue? Conan has earned his right to host this show. More than most. I remember the days his contracts barely lasted two months at a time. Do you not remember that?
Do we forget so easily how much that man fought through to gain acceptance, while Leno was handed a crown – a crown his square, cylindrical head, with his jagged jaw, could barely maintain?
Do we not understand the implications of this action?
Conan will be deemed the first Tonight Show “failure.” A man with ten times the talent of Leno, a man rivaling Letterman, a Tonight show legend – do we, as a nation, not understand the precedent that will follow?
Conan was chosen to lead a show few are chosen to lead. Now, remember, NBC reserves the right and privilege to muscle out future hosts. I don’t believe they have the right to do so. I don’t believe NBC chooses Tonight Show hosts. They may technically, but, I’m sorry, NBC didn’t choose Conan, America did.
A board of exacs didn’t deem Conan the king of Late Night, we did, every time we tuned in.
And now, they’re fucking with us.
They’re fucking with our decision.
I’m embarrassed we’ve let them.
I’m embarrassed we let them win.