Weekly Variety has another look at the Leno to Conan transition scheduled to happen in 2009, when the red-haired host takes over the Tonight Show from the large-chinned one. Its no secret that the peacock wants to keep Leno as one of its feathers – but how it does that without the prime 11:35 p.m. slot is tricky. One option laid forth at the TCA tour is some sort of digital deal. “What we are trying to say to him is, after 2009 telling jokes at 11:30 at night might not be what it is today, so maybe we can figure out a way for you to continue to do that in a different context,” NBC co-pres Marc Graboff said. Variety’s speculation:
NBC has yet to present Leno with any alternatives, but among the options being floated are a primetime strip or variety show that would air once or multiple times a week, perhaps kicking off primetime at 8 p.m.; work on NBC U’s cable properties and specifically USA Network, which the net is hoping to build into the de-facto “fifth network”; Jay-on-demand through TiVo, cable, or online; or, the “Bob Hope deal,” where Leno does what he wants — just about anything but telling jokes at 11:35 pm.