Also, Conan O'Brien never presented in a post-David-Letterman timeslot – Conan came in, basically, from his writing career as a virtual unknown to take over Letterman's slot after Letterman quit over the original post-Johnny-Carson Tonight Show kerfuffle. He built up a viewership over time, despite a lot of criticism and, initially, low-ish ratings. Presumably he was hoping for more of the same once he moved up to

And Craig Ferguson has never been on one of the post-Tonight-Show slots either – he's on after Letterman as the Late Late Show (i.e., after Letterman's Late show) on CBS. The whole Jimmy Kimmel confusion probably didn't help (particularly given the inheritor of Conan's slot is currently Jimmy Fallon, a different Jimmy).

For a general breakdown, the current late night schedules run as follows:
ABC – Jimmy Kimmel (just the one, oh yes)
CBS – Letterman, followed by Craig Ferguson
NBC – Leno, followed by Jimmy Fallon, followed by Carson Daly.

I'm only partway through the podcast, but Josh's, um, casual approach to research really brings him undone here. If you're going to discuss a topic like this in some kind of depth (and making it the headline story on Boxcutters News kinda suggests you are), you do need to make sure you have your facts straight, and sadly, Josh simply didn't.

Apologies to all those in the US who rely on Boxcutters for your television scheduling needs. We were clearly negligent in that regard and should have been keeping you in mind when we misspoke. There are a number of publications and web sites that are much more competent than us for local listings.

BTW, Brett owes me a dollar.

BTW, Brett owes me a dollar.

Also, I was so upset to forget Bill Carter's name. I think he's a brilliant TV commentator but was adamant to just power on through the segment.

We have, in the past, reviewed his also excellent Desperate Networks, which is definitely worth checking out.

Also, I was so upset to forget Bill Carter's name. I think he's a brilliant TV commentator but was adamant to just power on through the segment.

We have, in the past, reviewed his also excellent Desperate Networks<img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boxcutters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0767919742″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”" style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” />, which is definitely worth checking out.

- the Leno/ Letterman book Josh refers to in the episode is actually titled “The Late Shift: Letterman, Leno, and the Network Battle for the Night”, by Bill Carter. Read it a few years back, and concur – very good read.

Having read it though, the current imbroglio comes as no real shock, because a) NBC have a terrible track record with talent relations, and b) Leno is absolutely relentless in solidifying his support base with the affiliates; personally calling affiliate heads weekly, doing ads & promos gratis for local stations and just generally busting his ass off trying to ingratiate himself /network with/ instill personal loyalty in these people. The affiliates are the actual customers who are, after all, the ones paying cold hard cash money to NBC.
(BTW, the book alone is worth it just for Leno himself admitting how he used to eavesdrop on NBC exec's conference calls to get an advantage over Dave… funny, funny stuff)
Consider it the advantage of persistance mixed with rat-bastard cunning. I call it 'the Howard factor' (OOOH – satire! *ahem*)

- the reason that Australian TV 'shutsdown' at 10:30pm is purely because the local networks here have trained viewers to expect it. Cast your mind back 10-15 years and arguably the hardest fought ratings battle on the box was (variations of) Steve Vizard (w/Richard Stubbs) vs Graham Kennedy vs Clive Robertson vs Lateline vs straight news. Long ago now, but I think it proved Australians would watch later starting shows if the content was treated like it matters. Sure, some good shows have been put later than 10:30 since, but without the 'razzle dazzle' to cue the audience that it's not just intended as overnight filler. It's a conscious (or possibly sub-conscious decision by the networks to not contest the timeslot in the way the US does.
And of course it's just massively cheaper to recycle the 6pm news with a different face reading the autocue.

- Brett (I think) pointed out that 'the Skyshow' is an anachronism and no longer takes place this side of the country. Point of fact – Canberra still runs one every year, dodgy out-of-sync radio simulcast included. Only they add FA-18 jet fighters to the mix. Still crap though.

- the Leno/ Letterman book Josh refers to in the episode is actually titled “The Late Shift: Letterman, Leno, and the Network Battle for the Night”, by Bill Carter. Read it a few years back, and concur – very good read.

Having read it though, the current imbroglio comes as no real shock, because a) NBC have a terrible track record with talent relations, and b) Leno is absolutely relentless in solidifying his support base with the affiliates; personally calling affiliate heads weekly, doing ads & promos gratis for local stations and just generally busting his ass off trying to ingratiate himself /network with/ instill personal loyalty in these people. The affiliates are the actual customers who are, after all, the ones paying cold hard cash money to NBC.
(BTW, the book alone is worth it just for Leno himself admitting how he used to eavesdrop on NBC exec's conference calls to get an advantage over Dave… funny, funny stuff)
Consider it the advantage of persistance mixed with rat-bastard cunning. I call it 'the Howard factor' (OOOH – satire! *ahem*)

- the reason that Australian TV 'shutsdown' at 10:30pm is purely because the local networks here have trained viewers to expect it. Cast your mind back 10-15 years and arguably the hardest fought ratings battle on the box was (variations of) Steve Vizard (w/Richard Stubbs) vs Graham Kennedy vs Clive Robertson vs Lateline vs straight news. Long ago now, but I think it proved Australians would watch later starting shows if the content was treated like it matters. Sure, some good shows have been put later than 10:30 since, but without the 'razzle dazzle' to cue the audience that it's not just intended as overnight filler. It's a conscious (or possibly sub-conscious decision by the networks to not contest the timeslot in the way the US does.
And of course it's just massively cheaper to recycle the 6pm news with a different face reading the autocue.

- Brett (I think) pointed out that 'the Skyshow' is an anachronism and no longer takes place this side of the country. Point of fact – Canberra still runs one every year, dodgy out-of-sync radio simulcast included. Only they add FA-18 jet fighters to the mix. Still crap though.

Haven't listened to the ep yet, but welcome back!

Haven't listened to the ep yet, but welcome back!