Team Leno vs Team Conan

This 'drama' began unfolding last week.

In fact, I'm proud to report that wkyc was on the cutting edge of this 'news' and I played a role in alerting my 11pm Producer as well as 'The Director's Cut with Frank Macek' of what I had heard! We cautiously and responsibly reported only what we could confirm but had to acknowledge what was happening. The rest is history as they say.


Believe it or not, working in a television station does not mean we can sit around and watch tv all day.

I hate to admit it, but I rarely get to see Leno or Conan--at least not in their entirety. Heck, there are soooo many shows that I never started watching until they were in re-runs!! But, that's the nature of the biz!

What I have seen: sometimes funny, other times long & drawn out skits, and on occasion, painful having to turn the channel.


However, with the new developments heating up in both the Leno and O'Brien Camps and at NBC, it has given the customers very good television and their comedy new life.


This 'feud' has taken on a life of its own in the social media arena as well, especially Facebook and Twitter. I don't think this is the case but in the off chance it is some mastermind publicity stunt, it's working.


Tuesday evening --I was able to catch Leno's interview with Sandra Bullock. They were HILARIOUS! Sandra kept asking him if the interview was actually going to air or if they may get yanked at any moment....

Then on Conan, can't believe the circus which transpired during the Zachary Levi interview with 'the' most venerable Tom Brokaw at Levi's side probably stunned at what he was hearing and living. But again, very good TV!!

Whatever happens, I do hope everyone comes out alive so to speak. It is smart to admit when an experiment does not work and try to make things right. Hopefully Conan will not take a huge hit being that Leno is more of the veteran.

At the end of a stressful day with so much bad news day in and day out, it's nice to have some comedy to unwind to --if possible! And maybe they will find a way to keep the 'funny meter' as high as it has been working overtime this week!

NBC's Tim Russert dead at 58

(Photograph Courtesy John Carroll University)

Tim Russert has died at age 58.


NBC News confirms that Tim Russert was working in the Newsroom when he collapsed in the Washington Bureau.


Per the Associated Press, a person familiar with his family says Russert died of an apparent heart attack.


Tim Russsert was the longtime NBC News Washington Bureau Chief as well as the host of Meet the Press.


He has close ties to the Cleveland area. He graduated from John Carroll University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at CSU.

Russert and NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams moderated the Democratic Debate held right here in Cleveland between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama back in February.


This is a sad day. We've lost a great human being and a brilliant broadcaster.


Late Friday afternoon, President Bush issued a heart felt statement regarding the passing of Tim Russert:

"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tim Russert. Those of us who knew and worked with Tim, his many friends, and the millions of Americans who loyally followed his career on the air will miss him.

As the longest-serving host of the longest-running program in the history of television, he was an instititution in both news and politics for more than two decades. Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it.

Most important, Tim was a proud son and father, and Laura and I offer our deepest sympathies to his wife, Maureen, his son Luke, and the entire Russert family. We will keep them in our prayers."



As more information and reaction becomes available, I will share it with all of you...and check wkyc.com as well for updates...