People watch Conan....just not on TV

That's what TBS says as it offers make-goods to advertisers for lower-than-promised ratings:

http://adage.com/article/mediaworks/conan-s-ratings-huge-online/230031/

 

I believe the technical, inside-the-biz TV term for the TBS argument here would be "bullshit."

 

It's a big hit with the college crowd that aren't a part of Nielsen ratings.

 

I get the sense that Fallon's show is more popular with the college kids than Conan's is...

 

It's kind of funny that TBS made the exact same mistake NBC did years ago: banking on the Conan popularity a few years after it peaked.

Conan peaked in the days when his show was being re-run on Comedy Central. The zeitgeist moved on. NBC then gave him the Tonight Show after his popularity waned, pushed him back into the limelight with the firing and then TBS overpaid him based on that second bubble.

I love Conan, but he isn't ever going to draw Carson (well, who is?), Letterman or Leno numbers. He's a niche guy who would've been much better off at Comedy Central with maybe a 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. lead-in from The Daily Show and Colbert (moved up an hour to accommodate the move).

 

The TBS show just wasn't very good. I think not being able to bring certain characters (Triumph, etc...) hurt a lot, even though they'll never admit it.

 

Agreed. There are glimmers of the old show about once a week, but it's a DVR show for me now. I'll fast forward through it looking for taped bits and a hot female guest to watch. I've always loved his taped bits more than his monologue.

 

It's a big hit with people who get to sound cool by saying they like Conan but don't have to actually sit down and watch it.

 

DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING!!!

If people watched Conan he's still be hosting the "Tonight Show."

 

Lessons on being cool, from the closest person to Milhouse I've actually encountered.

 

I'm not in the trees, so I can see the forest.

 

Besides, I *do* always win. I've taken down my last two chess tournaments.