NBC Cancels Christmas!

As you might imagine, the entertainment industry patients in my therapy practice have reacted with shock, disbelief and outrage to the news that NBC has decided to put Jay Leno's talk show on the air in prime time, five nights a week, at 10 PM. That's five hours a week of scripted television literally wiped from the slate.

And what does that mean? Well, according to some industry analysts, the loss of about 1500 jobs.

Not just those of writers, actors, directors and producers, but the hundreds of on-set production jobs, post-production facilities jobs, even support businesses like restaurants, drivers, etc.

Announcing the news right before the holidays, NBC laid a Grinch-like surprise on a helluva lot of people. Talk about lousy timing. Not only is the country in the midst of the worst financial meltdown since the Depression, but Hollywood itself has been suffering from pervasive unemployment at every job level, a severely-reduced number of production and development deals, and---especially in network television---a shrinking viewing audience.

What's particularly foolish about NBC's decision---which, I grant you, will undoubtedly result in considerable short-term savings for the network---is the fact that, in my opinion, viewers still want to see late-night talk shows in the same time slots they've always held: namely, late at night. Since the era of the first Tonight Show, viewers have associated watching late-night talk shows with "winding down" after a long day. It's the time for settling down in bed, or curling up on the sofa, and letting the loose, topical monologue jokes and fluffy interviews with celebrities ease you into sleep.

Trust me, there's even some clinical support for this view. For those struggling with sleep difficulties, behavioral therapists have long suggested using simple, repetitive routines to create a bedtime habit that the body comes to associate with sleep. Like eating a banana every night before bedtime, or having a cup of tea while reading a book or listening to soothing music.

I believe that late-night shows like Leno's and Letterman's function in the same way. They're part of the habitual winding-down process for adults. They're a post-news-show, post-checking-that-the-doors-are-locked ritual that leads almost inevitably to preparation for sleep. (And after what we see most nights on the news, we need all the sleep aids we can get.)

Conversely, when prime-time shows like CSI:Miami, Law and Order and ER are on the air, people are still alert and engaged enough for a good story. In fact, they want one. The kids are in bed (hopefully), and their parents' brains usually welcome the idea of becoming involved in dramatic narratives thankfully unlike those that have occupied them, at work or at home, during their hectic day. As did their children (and themselves) when young, most adults want to be told a bedtime story.

Now, at least at NBC, the familiar creature-comfort satisfactions of late-night talk shows that actually air late at night (as God intended, dammit!) have been removed. I mean, do we really want to see some hyperbolic movie star plugging his latest film at 10 PM?

Moreover, frankly, I don't believe this new programming ploy will work. Okay, perhaps at first, in the way that ABC found initial success by running Who Wants to Be a Millionaire every night at 8 o'clock. But, as with that show, I think viewers will soon tire of a five-night-a-week diet of a talk show. When that happens, NBC, suddenly faced with five prime-time hours to fill, will have to scramble to come up with new programs.

Funny. When I was a kid, I always liked the NBC logo of a peacock, with big eyes embedded in each of its colorful feathers. Who could have imagined that now, many years later, all of those eyes would end up being so...well...short-sighted?

Comments

[roberteis]

Palumbo's commentary, as always, is insightful and pertinent. Even if Leno is successful at 10 PM (which I doubt, along with Palumbo), NBC has just relegated itself to basic cable status. The Peacock is no longer one of the "Big Three." Unfortunately, NBC is also not as inventive nor creative as the better basic cable networks.

[monadnock]

Central and Mountain Time Zone viewers have been able to watch Leno in the ten o'clock hour since the start of broadcast TV, owing to earlier bedtimes. NBC has been putting us to sleep for years so the move seems completely appropriate.
Thanks, Dennis, for the apt observations.

[Radioboy]

While I agree with all your arguments concerning the Leno move, I might have to question your theory on the idea that it won’t work.

On the off-chance that with some slight tweaking, the show becomes a hybrid of what Leno was doing and what Jon Stewart does (and Leno did say he wanted to do more political humour and bits as opposed to just celebrity interviews and the occasional musical act) it does stand a chance of partially holding its own against the other networks. But where it has a chance to shine is the fact that Leno is a workaholic and as a result will be on the air with fresh programming about 46 weeks of the year. That is nearly twice what the episodics are doing so if enough people sample him when the other networks are in repeat, he might reap the benefit in the long run if some folks stay with him when the new episodes of other series returns.

If NBC sticks with this idea, I would be very interested to see what the ratings are in the second year. I think the first year ratings would fluctuate too much from great to bad and as a result wouldn’t be a true barometer as to how it will fair in the end.

After saying all of that, I’m still trying to figure out how Jeff Zucker has managed to keep his job considering the track record of NBC during his reign.

PAH

[directfitz]

Very interesting. You have made great points from 3 perspectives. The viewer, worker, and corporate.
I'm not a television viewer. Have never seen an entire Leno show.
For a viewer doesn't really care. If they like him they will follow him. And the other guy is still in the time slot. For the workers it's tough in these economic times. For corporate it seems overly cautious. NBC clings to Leno so ABC can't get him? If I'm Leno that's got me thinking I better work on that stand up. And 2 talk shows back to back??? Hedging our bets are we NBC.
But I don't watch these shows so what do I know. I'm too ADD for repetitious storylines. That's why I've moved to the internet for my infotainment.

[RoseMerry]

When I see Leno or even Letterman, I have to remember what great, great men Carson and Cavett were. Gawd, I miss them.

[liberalgirl31]

I don't care for Leno. He's not funny. I prefer Dave, Conan, and Craig Ferugson. I think this is a dumb move for NBC. It might work in the beginning but people will get sick of Leno so early and ratings will plummet.

[leaseaguest]

Took your class years ago, just as I was being fired/laid off from CBS for fighting with my golden handcuff.

I can take in every sentence you sign your name to.
Seriously.

[mfinch]

Dennis,

WHERE do you get those clever turns of phrase: shortsighted NBC peacock tail feather eyes?! Love it.

But about Leno: when I can stay up that late, I watch him. Gives me that L.A. sensibility and helps me pretend I still live there. But note that when he moves to 10 p.m. L.A. time, he'll be on at 9:00 my time (Central), and that's just way too early. The show will lose its late-night feel. As you put it, the "creature-comfort satisfactions of late-night talk shows." I just don't see how it's going to work for Leno or NBC.

Thanks, Dennis. Keep writing.

Martha

[Baggman]

Dennis,

I couldn't agree more. When the move was announced I thought it heavy handed and ultimately doomed. It goes against the grain of what people desire and unlike many scenarios, in this case we can choose elsewhere. I have to admit to being puzzled by many recent decisions by NBC and this one is simply another item on an enlarging list. Thank you Dennis.

[Hoyt Hilsman - Huffpost Blogger]

Good post, Dennis. Although I have to admit that moving Leno into prime-time means that I'll actually get to see him before I go to bed!

[photobyrae]

I like Jay, but I agree with Palumbo... 10 o'clock's too early !! And enough writing jobs have already been eaten away by reality shows. Enough reality and talk, already. GIve us some good sitcoms and dramas!!

[slovoice]

To quote William Goldman, when it comes to Hollywood, nobody knows anything. Palumbo may be right about Leno's chances, but viewing habits and technology has changed so rapidly, the playing field has changed. NBC has nothing to lose with this prime time strategy -- they kept Leno off ABC and away from competing with Conan, who is barely beating Craig Ferguson in the ratings. If anyone can make this work, Leno can. My worry is that he drains guests away from Conan, since they will now both be in Hollywood competing for the same guest pool. Zucker is pretty shrewd and I give him credit for trying.

Admittedly, I'm, a Letterman guy so I don't particularly care what happenes to Leno or NBC. Dave was loyal, a true pioneer in late night TV, and NBC smacked him down in response. Amazing.

[mercedes1947]

Lame, desperate move by NBC, that, yes will drain Conan fans, but will drag on in spite of meager ratings because how are you going to replace 5 hours of prime time programming overnight?

My suspicion, a stop gap measure to regroup, get some fresh programming in the pipeline, get some cash flowing and return NBC to the quality programming network - NBC used to be.

By the way, Letterman, who I watched like a junkie in the Late Night years, has not made me laugh in a dozen years.