While we typically don't track individual show premieres, The Jay Leno Show is likely to be the most analyzed show of next fall's prime-time season.
via press release:
"THE JAY LENO SHOW" WILL PREMIERE ON SEPTEMBER 14
'The Jay Leno Show' Will Premiere At 10 PM EST
BURBANK ? June 2, 2009 ? On the final episode of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" the host reminded viewers not to get too teary-eyed during his last stint behind the desk he has occupied for 17-years by reminding them that he would be back on NBC this fall with his new venture "The Jay Leno Show" (Monday - Friday, 10:00 p.m. ? 11:00 p.m. ET on NBC). "The Jay Leno Show" will premiere on September 14.
During his final bow as the host of "The Tonight Show" Leno signed off saying, "Thank you for watching. Please give Conan (O'Brien) as much support as you've given me throughout the years. Good night. We'll see you in September."
O'Brien began his hosting "The Tonight Show" on Monday, June 1.
Leno, recently named America's Favorite TV Personality by the 2009 Harris Poll, announced in December of 2008 that while he will be leaving "The Tonight Show" he will remain at NBC and embark on an adventure that marks a new era in television. "The Jay Leno Show" will be the first-ever entertainment program to be stripped across primetime on broadcast network television and will showcase many of the features that have made Leno America's late-night leader for more than a dozen years.
No matter how Bad the rating will be – NBC will be stuck with Leno for at least a year…b/c they got nothin’
I’m going to guess that somewhere in the neighborhood of 100+ articles/stories are going to presented for public viewing in the week leading up to the show’s premiere alone, and 200+ in total from August until the premiere itself. The saturation point will be reached early and comparisons with Conan’s Tonight Show run up to that point are going to be tagged into the stories as well. With a 4-year contract and an apparent guarantee for 2 years and options for the other 2, the armchair quarterbacks are going to be out in force the likes of which have not been seen since the Super Bowl.
What’s with the screeching trumpet at the opening? It goes on for freaking ever. Oh, yeah, I’m 30 and Leno rules! Letterman is sarcastic and smarmy; Jay Leno is a naturally funny guy. Craig Ferguson is totally hilarious, too!
Opening week ratings will be big. Who knows beyond that? I’m interested in seeing how different the show is from his stint on The Tonight Show.