Screwing with Success. A Change More Important than the Presidency.

Afternoon Folks!!


The presidency happens every 4 years so no big deal. What is a big deal is when the “Tonight Show” changes hosts and restless and horny America reacts. This will be only the forth time in my entire lifetime that will happen. Jack Paar back in the 1950's started it and did the gig for 6 years. Johnny Carson transformed the show and was the pulse of America for 30 years. Jay Leno for 17 years and now we are about to get Conan O'brien.


I really don't know how this will work out. My gut says not too well. Let's start with Conan O'brien. He went on the air in the mid 80's. I have watched his show many times by default. I laughed 3x. I can count them. I don't think he will do as well in that slot. I don't think sober America will laugh at his jokes. He had a much better chance for the that in the middle of the night when they were falling on the floor.


Now as for Jay Leno, he is/was #1. Not sure why you would want to screw that up, but leave it to the geniuses at Corporate America to figure out. Will folks make a date with Jay or will they watch an actual program at 10PM? See the motivation for NBC is it is a lot cheaper to do a Jay Leno show than an episode of Law and Order for example or some other creative drama etc. So this becomes a cost cutting move. If it works out they have 2 winners. If they both die, they have 2 losers. So this is a very big gamble for NBC and I doubt it will work out. NBC will basically give up their #1 ranking for the 11:30 slot because O'Brien is just not funny and people will go somewhere else. I think Jay Leno will do well at the beginning, however I don't think it will last. I think his audience will dwindle and NBC will have an embarrassing problem on their hands.


What does this have to do with domains? It has to do with honing skills of how the masses will react. Understanding the masses is key. A long time ago I was taught a simple saying. “If you sell to the masses you will eat with the classes. If you sell to the classes you will eat with the masses.” The biggest job we have as domainers is predicting human nature. This is the way you practice. The way you practice is the way you play. This one is difficult to predict. Changing habits is not an easy thing to do. I always enjoy when someone tries.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz




7 thoughts on “Screwing with Success. A Change More Important than the Presidency.

  1. Bryan

    I’ve got a feeling this is more calculated than you give NBC credit for Rick. I personally think it will be a success. At 32 I think Conan is much funnier. My parents prefer Leno. I’d bet NBC has the numbers that support their younger audience prefers Conan and the older audience prefers Leno. The baby boomers are going to be earlier which is why I think this will work. NBC is following the audience. :)

    Reply
  2. Tom

    I’m kind of glad Leno is leaving, I’ve never thought he was very funny. Not sure that Conan is the answer, either, but I’ll give him a chance.

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  3. Kevin

    Johnny Carson was the best host of all of them.
    I like Leno now, but didn’t think he was too funny at first.
    Conan has a whole different style. I like him, but I think he won’t stay long.
    They really should have shook up the show and put a female comedian in the seat next. That would have really zoomed up the ratings.
    Anyways, TV is not what it used to be. Like everything else the Internet has changed the dynamics of the entertainment industry and is providing the most entertainment useage for everyone now and TV networks are just trying to keep up with the Net.

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  4. owen frager

    These are the same executives who dumped iTunes for Hulu.
    Now Hulu is doing the $100 million dollar branding campaign like Microsoft is doing with Bing- and askjeeves did to become ask then askjeeves again. But how many times a day do you link or refer any of those sites. You don’t- you go to Google and YouTube because they provide value and neither required a”branding” campaign or boardroom strategy session to earn your favor.
    Morons.

    Reply
  5. Anunt

    I personally liked Arsenio Hall,”things that make you say hmmmm, dog pound rooo rooo roooo roooo”
    I like Conan more than Jay…older folks like Jay…younger folks like Conan. I’m usually hanging out at night so i usually end up missing these shows anyways!

    Reply
  6. Rob Sequin

    I actually see the NBC move as very positive.
    Jay is more for the baby boomers and Conan is for the younger crowd.
    I was born in late 1963 so I am right on the edge of the last of the baby boomers so I like both.
    I used to love David Letterman but don’t find him funny at all and haven’t for years.

    Reply

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