In what is shaping up to be a heated late-night contest, Conan O'Brien topped David Letterman during their second week of head-to-head competition. The Tonight Show proved to be the decisive winner for the week of June 8 in the coveted 18-to-49 demographic — by a margin of 1.5 to .9. But the race was significantly closer in total viewers, as O'Brien netted 3.77 million viewers, only about 100,000 more than Letterman.
Despite the victory, The Tonight Show's numbers were down 38 percent from week 1. And The Late Show — bolstered by the Sarah Palin controversy — outdrew Tonight on three days. Before O'Brien took over, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno had been the clear-cut ratings champ for years.
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Down with child predators on TV! God bless Sarah Palin all the way to the whitehouse in 2012!
Theresa is only showing how simple minded she is by making snap judgments based solely on what a power hungry politician that loves the spotlight has to say. If only these easily persuaded people could make there own decisions. Any reasonable and clear minded person knows that Letterman’s comments where harmless and directed at the fertile Palin daughter (that’s what made the joke funny). I laughed. My mind also was able to grasp the concept, that the joke was referencing Bristol! Wow, it amazes me that a handful of nut bags has the time to focus on a joke this long. Grow up and get educated. Stop calling people child predators, your only advertising your IQ. Go Conan. Conan 2012.
I love the way on tv they act like anyone over the age of 49 dosen’t matter. You can have more viewers then anyone else on tv but if it’s not in that magic demographic it’s like you don’t count. People over the age of 49 spend alot of money too. Sponsors need to quit ignoring them.
Jay Leno was the ratings champ, but Conan is the demo champ, both over Jay Leno and David Letterman. So I would say he is doing just fine.
Sponsors are ignoring the over 49 demo?
Then why is every third commercial I see in prime time about a pill for erectile dysfunction, pills that lower your cholesterol or financial planning?
Conan rocks!!!
I think what mickey was probably referring to Tom is the 18-49 age group is considered the important age group for sponsors since thats who they believe buy the most products they advertise for. I agree though with Mickey. People over the age of 49 spend alot of money too and shouldn’t be ignored when counting viewers as not important.
People over the age of 49 do spend alot of money, but alot of them are also in bed when Conan is bustin’ the comedy.
Long live CO-CO! Last night with Shatner was hillarious.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/06/18/tv-tonight-friday-june-19th-2009/
conan is not funney ,but maybe is you are eight he would be.
@stevecoleman:
you, sir, cannot spell “funny” or “if”. i believe it is you who is the eight year old.
Conan rocks!
I think he is getting better and more comfortable now.
The battle is also on the guests. Some nights Conan had some pretty weak guests. Personally, if I know the guest is not interesting/funny, I only get the monologue, or don’t even turn in.
Conan O’Brian? Ho hum. I’m getting sleepy.
Dave will be on for a few more years before he retires and I look forward to watching him. I’ve watched and enjoyed him since his Late Night days on NBC in the 80s. I like Conan as well and as long as Jay doesn’t steal too much of his thunder (or too many guests) in the fall with his 10pm show, then I think Conan will be around a long time. Demos are important, but I think Jay and Dave proved that there’s plenty of room in late night for two funny hosts to co-exist.
This is an AWESOME performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHwpDeu6aS4
It makes me sad that people are being so narrow-minded and hard on Conan. I think he’s so great! I loved his Late Night show when I was in college. He’s just so effing goofy, you can’t help but be entertained. His skits used to be pure gold to (Clutch Cargo, “In The Year 2000,” If They Mated). I hope things pick up for him and people give him a chance. Sometimes change is good people. Sheesh.
Glad Conan beat the polically obsessed, bitter, dirty old man, Letterman. His demeaning comments labeling women as sluts and vulgar jokes about a 14 and 18 yr old young women being knocked up when he as an old man got his girlfriend pregant is beyond hypocritical. I doubt he would like it if his son was used as an object of ridicule or if his partner was called names. After the hoopla is over with Lettermans shoddy jokes, Conan will do even better in the ratings. If these comedians do not have more talent that to have to ridicule children with vulgar jokes, then they need to retire. Pushing political views no matter what the side, is boring.
I was a true Leno fan staying up till 11:30, I gave Conan a chance–but he sucks big time! I guess Letterman is the choice now for this over 49er who cant sleep!.. I cant wait till Leno returns!!!
Conan’s shtick was fine after Leno, but it doesn’t seem right at 11:30.