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How Zucker's Leno quick fix got NBC into a quagmire (Dinosaur Media DeathWatchâ„¢)
Los Angeles Times ^ | January 9, 2010 | Meg James and Matea Gold

Posted on 01/10/2010 2:38:27 PM PST by abb

Jeff Zucker was a fearless news producer and fast-rising entertainment executive who was just 41 when he became head of NBC Universal. But in the last few years, the onetime whiz kid behind the "Today" show -- he turned Katie Couric into a star -- has made several costly miscalculations that have led to a spectacular fall by the country's premier television network.

Zucker's troubles were magnified this week when, with NBC facing a revolt by affiliate stations furious over their sinking ratings, he decided to move Jay Leno back to late night after less than four months. The unusual measure was an acknowledgment that Zucker's gambit to shift the comedian into prime time had failed.

NBC's Leno flip-flop, which is shaping up to be one of the biggest debacles in television history, underscores how Zucker, who views himself as a maverick and a champion of change, now faces a decidedly different legacy. Instead of the mogul with moxie who transformed television -- he called for "a re-engineering of our businesses from top to bottom" -- Zucker might better be remembered as the guy who plucked the peacock.

How Zucker found himself in such a fix is a study in how a chief executive, confronting wrenching changes to his business, reacts to challenges.

Now the network is bracing for more fallout: Will Conan O'Brien, who last spring became host of the storied "Tonight Show," leave the network when Leno moves from 10 p.m. back to 11:35 p.m., which could happen as soon as March? Will Leno remain content with a half-hour show, signing off at 12:05 a.m. to make room for O'Brien, if he stays? And how will NBC plug five hours of programming each week in Leno's vacated time slot?

snip

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: advertising; ass; dbm; dinomedia; hollywood; jawbone; nbc; television; zucker
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To: mkjessup

Well, you may be a bozo, but this idea is genius.

My girl and I were watching some Timeless Moments From The Tonight Show DVD’s two nights ago, and we laughed until tears were streaming.

That was the best show ever, in my opinion, and showing it to new generations would be a good thing.


41 posted on 01/10/2010 4:05:40 PM PST by gigster
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To: dynachrome

“Late Nite—Lost”
“Late Nite Survivor”


42 posted on 01/10/2010 4:10:02 PM PST by Freedom56v2 ("If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait till it is free"--PJ O'rourke)
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To: clintonh8r

hahahaha!


43 posted on 01/10/2010 4:20:48 PM PST by left that other site (Your Mi'KMaq Paddy Whacky Bass Playing Biker Buddy)
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To: abb

Leno and O’Brien should just alternate days or weeks. Problem solved.


44 posted on 01/10/2010 4:21:12 PM PST by Kirkwood
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To: paulycy

45 posted on 01/10/2010 4:21:22 PM PST by dr_who
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To: abb

As I presume the history site explains, DuMont ceased network operations and their TV operations morphed into a group called Metromedia. WABD New York became WNEW.

Eventually, Rupert Murdoch bought the former DuMont stations and formed the nucleus of the Fox Network. WNEW became today’s WNYW.

So the original “fourth” network resurrected to become the present-day fourth network.

DuMont’s nephew is Chicagoan Bruce DuMont, who hosts the syndicated Sunday radio talk show “Beyond the Beltway.”


46 posted on 01/10/2010 5:37:26 PM PST by Erasmus (She was a BBC newsreader, marrying above her station.)
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To: abb
I didn't mention in my last note, but Bruce DuMont is the founder of the MBC, in Chicago.

[[Due to funding problems, their long-suffering project to reopen in their own building has been stalled for several years, so you can't go and actually see it today.]]

They had exhibits with historical Chicago broadcast connections, such as Fibber McGee's closet, Edgar Bergen's Charlie McCarthy, and a TV camera used in the first Presidential debate (Kennedy-Nixon).

The coolest exhibit they had was a news studio (with room for a small audience) where you could sit in the anchor's chair and do an entire newscast. It came complete with director, floor manager, teleprompter, and taped inserts for on-the-scene reports, weather, and sports. You could buy the tape and take it home with you.

47 posted on 01/10/2010 5:48:33 PM PST by Erasmus (She was a BBC newsreader, marrying above her station.)
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To: Erasmus

http://telecruiser.com/
DuMont Telecruiser Model B, Number 101
“The Golden Telecruiser”T

http://www.dumonthistory.tv/
DuMont Television Network
Historical Website


48 posted on 01/10/2010 6:09:18 PM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: abb

No more McClatchey Watch? That sucks. I hope someone picks up the reporting they did.


49 posted on 01/10/2010 6:21:37 PM PST by MovementConservative (Love my Mariners.)
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To: MovementConservative

I will miss that site. He did a magnificent job.


50 posted on 01/10/2010 6:26:32 PM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: abb
Isn't it common knowledge that Leno's show is only good for 'background noise' as people brush their teeth at nite?

Why would the network ever think that somebody would sit and stare at Leno onscreen during prime time?

51 posted on 01/10/2010 7:17:28 PM PST by Ciexyz
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To: abb

I honestly cannot remember the last time I watched a program on NBC, other than tuning into the local news. I stopped watching “new” Law and Order’s (all franchises) years ago, when it became more and more obvious that the drama was taking a back seat to the political message du jour (man, I miss Michael Moriarty!).

Wouldn’t bug me one bit if the network failed (which I know Obama will never let happen).


52 posted on 01/10/2010 7:37:50 PM PST by DemforBush (Never mind that *bleep*, here comes Mongo!)
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To: kdot
“What business are they in?”

The business of furthering political correctness religion, brainwashing and pacifying ignorant fools, creating a template for defending socialist governance, and daily mind control and propaganda that convinces viewers that everyone agrees with them and that resistance is hopeless.

They don’t care a whit what we think. Not a whit.

53 posted on 01/10/2010 11:51:25 PM PST by Luke21 (USA RIP)
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To: AnotherUnixGeek

Conan is a better writer than performer, IMHO. I did like his bringing back of Andy Richter, but the new show just doesn’t click with me.


54 posted on 01/11/2010 12:26:20 AM PST by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: Erasmus

Can you say that Francisco Franco is still dead at that exhibit?


55 posted on 01/11/2010 12:38:04 AM PST by nickcarraway
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To: Erasmus
The coolest exhibit they had was a news studio (with room for a small audience) where you could sit in the anchor's chair and do an entire newscast.

I've never thought about what it would be like being a news anchor. Sitting behind that desk thinking., "I'm an egotistical dunderhead who thinks about my hair all day long."

56 posted on 01/11/2010 12:40:09 AM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway
Yes, although it may confuse the technical director and cause her to miss a cue.

≤}B^)

57 posted on 01/11/2010 6:41:18 AM PST by Erasmus (She was a BBC newsreader, marrying above her station.)
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To: Erasmus
[[Due to funding problems, their long-suffering project to reopen in their own building has been stalled for several years, so you can't go and actually see it today.]]


Yes, Blago stiffed DuMont out of donations for the museum he promised.
58 posted on 01/11/2010 8:36:52 AM PST by jaydubya2
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To: abb

NBC will fill the 5 primetime hours vacated by Leno with a new, ongoing version of “the Biggest Loser”, starring Jeff Zucker.


59 posted on 01/11/2010 9:19:25 AM PST by ken5050 (Save the Earth..It's the only planet with chocolate!!!)
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