Conan O`Brien Is Jay Leno`s Heir To The Throne

From June 1, The Tonight Show will be hosted by Conan O`Brien, equally popular as his predecessor Jay Leno.

After 17 years and long-term rumours, “The Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will make way for Conan O`Brien. It was recently announced that Leno would be holding his last show on May 29, 2009, after which he would be replaced by O`Brien, who hosts a rival show “Late Night”.

Conan O`Brien was a replacement for David Letterman

In 2009, I'll be 59 years-old and will have had this dream job for 17 years. When I signed my new contract, I felt that the timing was right to plan for my successor, and there is no one more qualified than Conan. Plus, I promised [my wife] Mavis I would take her out for dinner before I turned 60.

Jay Leno

Apart from hosting his late night show, O`Brien is famous as one of the screenwriters and producers of cult animated series “The Simpsons”, as he worked on the project in 1991, `92 and `93, in addition to writing sketches for “Saturday Night Live”. After working on The Simpsons, O`Brien was hired as the host of “Late Night With Conan O`Brien` on September 13, 1993. He won an Emmy award in 2007. As the host of the mentioned show, O`Brien replaced the excellent David Letterman, who reformed that duty since 1982.

Judging by fans` reactions of both hosts, opinions are divided. One believe Conan O`Brien is the wackiest and best host of a late night show on American television, while others claim the same for Jay Leno, who hosts celebrities who are currently doing something worth noting. For instance, Jay Leno will be hosting Jennifer Aniston this week, Marisa Tomei, Mickey Rourke and Drew Barrymore, with whom he will talk about the recent Oscar awards ceremony and their latest film projects.

It is estimated that 5.7 million Americans watch The Tonight Show, which is 31 percent out of the total ratings in that time slot. Apart from the States, Jay Lano`s show is aired in the Philippines, Israel, India, Canada, Ireland, Australia and many more countries.

Viewers will have to adjust

Conan O`Brien is equally interesting. He is fastidious about the choice of guests and always manages to make them laugh with sketches about them. At the same time, he treats the audience with a live performance of a famous band or artist. Several years Leno`s junior, Conan O`Brien draws a younger crowd, which is mostly awake at night.

Anyway, TV networks have decided and in a way, disowned their excellent hosts in order to freshen up the programmed. The audience is left with nothing else but to accept the situation as it is, without unnecessary questions. However, surely most of the 5.7 million Americans will still watch their favourite Jay Leno, no matter where he may go. The same thing goes for Conan O`Brien, who will be worshiped by the fans even if he hosts a no-name show, let alone the heir to “The Tonight Show”.