Dave Edges Conan In Late-Night Ratings War

"Late Show" Beats "Tonight Show" For First Time In More Than 3 Years

(AP)  Nielsen Media Research says the "Late Show With David Letterman" beat the "Tonight Show" last week - the first time in more than three years.

Letterman scored a weeklong average of 3.46 million viewers, edging out the 3.32 million viewers who watched NBC's "Tonight Show," hosted by Conan O'Brien.

It was Letterman's first win during a full week of all-new broadcasts since December 2005, when Oprah Winfrey was his guest on the CBS late-night show. Letterman was perhaps given a ratings boost from lingering controversy over a wisecrack that targeted the family of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

O'Brien took over "Tonight" from longtime host Jay Leno earlier this month.

[caldwellptr]

I'll have to ask to stay up late and check it out!

[lpgideon]

by jayelle5 June 26, 2009 6:54 AM PDT
I used to watch the Tonight Show mainly for Jay Leno's monologue. Conan's opening monologue isn't on par with Jay's. His delivery is flat and the timing is off. I've largely stopped watching the show since Jay left, and I doubt that I will ever be a regular viewer again.
-------------
Funny thing. I was going to write the same thing until I read the above. I now never watch The Tonight Show anymore. I watched a while back both the Tonight and Late Nite with Conan until I couldn't stand Conan's presentations. I was hoping maybe Conan would change his approach to more sophisticated methods following Jay and Johnny. So, I watched the first week. But alas, the only thing he changed seemed to be the entrance, with the big jump and spin. I like probably many others went over to Letterman. At least his monologue is somewhat better presented, at lest in my opinion. I still can't see how the NBC kings could compare Conan with the other hosts that might well come to the Tonight show from their other venues, and still pick Conan.

[jayelle5]

I used to watch the Tonight Show mainly for Jay Leno's monologue. Conan's opening monologue isn't on par with Jay's. His delivery is flat and the timing is off. I've largely stopped watching the show since Jay left, and I doubt that I will ever be a regular viewer again.

[BC Kelly]

Yip yap about numbers all you want, but always remember ...


Dave p-off GE on day one after they bought NBC while he was waiting in wings to replace Johnny

Then he wouldn't move to LA

So GE gave gig to Leno

That simple


Oh, and I never watch Leno, nor Conan

Do they make jokes about Dave and Craig "that Scottish Guy" Ferguson ?

I mean, Dave says even his MOM is now watching Conan ;-)

[BillFHM3C]

The Tonight Show has always had a certian style and audience type. Conan wasn't the best pick for The Tonight Show. He has his own style and brashnish that "his" audience loves. He is truly a superb talent. But it's like trying to fit a square peg (The Tonight Show) in a round hole (Conan O'Brien). There's just not that much common ground for both audiences. Hence, Dave Letterman appeals to Jay's audience because they are more similar in nature.

[gunownerdan]

Jay Leno was obviously the greatest!

[John_Merritt]

And he wil continue to. You see, West Coast people do have a sense of value when it comes to the comedians. However I always liked Dave over Jay and I am a west coaster. But Conan is for the college age kids that like zaniness and childish behaviour. Conan's day will come but it won't be before Dave, Jay, John and others retire however. He will win by default at some point in time.