NBC begins its assault on network TV September 14th

You mean we're finally done with these? Sweet. NBC is last in the line of major networks to release their premiere schedule. Which is just fine with me, because I've been saving up my vitriol for the only network who is actively trying to ruin television (most just do so passively). Look, don't get me wrong, NBC still has a ton of good shows. Probably the most good shows of any network. We can look forward to solid programming like Heroes, 30 Rock, The Office, and Chuck (midseason). There are also a few promising new shows like Community. But when you look past the quality programming, there it is staring you right in the face every night of the god damned week: The Jay Leno Show. NBC and that fat egotistical motherfucker are depriving us of five hours of primetime TV a week (and it's the good hours where you can allude to sex and almost swear if you're coy about it). That also means five shows worth of people who would have had jobs otherwise don't because of Jay Leno's ego. That would be one thing if he were funny, but newsflash: LENO SUCKS. 10pm Thursday night would have been the PERFECT place for you to air Mike's Pilot, peacock network. Now the world will never know what they're missing. I hope you're happy, NBC, I hope you're happy. Fuck you, Leno.

The full premiere schedule:

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
7-8:15 pm. – "Football Night in America"
8:15-11 pm – "NBC Sunday Night Football"

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
10-11 pm – "THE JAY LENO SHOW" (Series Premiere)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
8-10 pm – "The Biggest Loser"
10-11 pm – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
8-8:30 pm - "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday"
8:30-9 pm - "Parks and Recreation"
9-9:30 pm – "The Office"
9:30-10 pm – "COMMUNITY" (series premiere – moves to Thursdays 8-8:30 pm on October 8; "30 Rock" returns October 15, 9:30-10 pm)
10-11 pm – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
8-10 pm – "Heroes" (two hour premiere, then TRAUMA premieres 9-10 pm Monday, September 28)
10-11 pm – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
8-9 pm – "PARENTHOOD" (Series Premiere)
9-10 pm – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
10-11 pm – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
8-9 pm – "Law & Order"
9-10 pm – "Southland"
10-11 pm – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
8-9 pm – "Dateline NBC"
9-10 pm – "TRAUMA" (encore broadcast)
10-11 pm – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (encore broadcast)
11:30 pm - 1:00 a.m. - "Saturday Night Live"

via The Live Feed

RRUH RROH

Last night Letterman's Late Show overtook Conan's Tonight Show in the ratings.

On the seventh day of Letterman vs. O'Brien, CBS earned a 3.4 metered-market household rating to NBC's 2.9.

I'm not going to go all Chicken Little and say the sky is falling, but this is certainly not a good omen. I'm a little concerned for the future of late night TV. Another troubling part of all this:

The ratings gap between the hosts has been narrowing nearly ever night since O'Brien took control of the "Tonight" franchise.

Now, to me, this sounds like the old people who loved Leno said "Well, we'll give this lanky fellow a chance". But then maybe he was a bit too rock 'n roll for them, and they slowly dropped off, turning to the comfort of Mr. Letterman. Nothing wrong with Letterman, he's miles better than Leno. But he is the second worst host in late night, and that gap may be closing.

NBC says they're more focused on the young adult demo (those numbers available tomorrow, look for them somewhere else though) but the Tonight Show has been top dog in every category in this time slot for years. Is this a chink in the armor? The beginning of the end? Will it lead to broader, watered-down Conan? Was my usage of "chink" offensive? Find out tomorrow!

Not really, but check back anyway. Who knows.

[ed: fuck you, Leno. - brett]

Source: Hollywood Reporter

OMG, just like when we were kids!

So Mark-Paul Gosselaar went on Jimmy Fallon last night in character as Zack Morris. The webs are all aflutter about this today , so here's the video:



I have to admit it was funny, though in a certain sense it reminds me of that same annoying conversation every group of college freshmen has once a month as they bond over fruity vodka and pass the time until giving each other herpes:

Annoying Freshman #1: "OMG, I love the tv we had when we were kids. Zack Morris was so hot!"
Annoying Freshman #2: "ZOMG totally. yadda yadda Legends of the Hidden Temple, blah blah Wild and Crazy Kids!"
Annoying Freshman #1: "Totally. Totally."

At least Gosselaar wasn't afraid to poke fun at his own campy roots. And kudos to Fallon, who despite no actual comedic talent of his own has managed to hire writers who have come up with some cool bits for his show. I hate to admit it, but he hasn't been a total trainwreck thus far. I won't call him a worthy successor to Conan, but he's at least better than that hack Leno, who is preparing his attempted murder of network television. Fuck you, Leno.

Conan on Mario background / continued awesomeness

This is a few days old now, but screw you buddy, I was doing stuff this weekend. Following up on the amazing overlay last week of Conan's new Tonight Show monologue backdrop with Mario screens, here's the predictable reference to it on Friday's show. It could've been funnier, but it's nice to see them reacting to an internet meme. This also gives me the chance to point out again that he's been awesome on the Tonight Show so far and you should really be watching it. I doubt Leno would have done this. And if he had, it would have sucked. Just like he sucks for trying to ruin network television. Fuck you, Leno.

The Tonight Show with Super Mario

The above image showing the similarities between Conan's new monologue backdrop on his Tonight Show gig and various screens pulled from a variety of Super Mario games has been making the rounds today, so I figured I'd post it.

As a fan of both video games and television I figured this was a good opportunity to pay homage to the intersection of the two things which most contribute to making sure I can't fit into any of my old pants. Probably just a cool coincidence, but it would be neat if someone on Conan's staff saw this and they make reference to it on the show, wouldn't surprise me at all. (update: Apparently I had the right idea, looks like they might do it tonight: from the Twitter of a Tonight Show staffer)

On a more serious note, I'm not usually a viewer of the late night shows other than Stewart and Colbert, but I've always enjoyed Conan when I've saw him on Late Night and have caught all three shows so far. He's really doing a phenomenal job, I highly suggest checking it out. Might get some of the bad taste out of your mouth for when Jay Leno comes back on at 10 and begins his attempt to ruin network television. Fuck you, Leno.

via Serious Lunch