Say it Ain't So, CoCo!

First I have to apologize for writing that Jay Leno conceded The Tonight Show. NBC forced him out despite being numero uno. Great decision on their part.

Friday, January 22nd, marks Conan O'Brien's last show as host of The Tonight Show. I'm sad to see him go under such ridiculous circumstances. I'm sure he'll be back and better than ever. He'll be able to ride the wave of positive support to his next project. I'll follow him wherever he goes.

Must Save TV

This is how you to save NBC. Drastic? Yes. Controversial? Probably. Necessary? You have no idea.

Here now is my blueprint to save NBC.

Step 1: Jay Leno concedes to Conan O'Brien.

• Jay decided not to renew his contract in 2009 and give the show over to Conan. He needs to honor that commitment.
  

Step 2: Jay Leno moves to a new weekly show on Sundays.

• Most people in the states haven't heard of the British show Top Gear but it is HUGE around the world and in the UK. It's a show about cars which sounds like a niche program but the three hosts Richard Hammond, James May, and Jeremy Clarkson make it amazing with their humor. Jay Leno is perfect for this (and actually has appeared on the show several times as a guest) and I'm sure he knows some other guys that would be great as his co-hosts. The British-to-American conversion has worked in the past with The Office and Dancing with the Stars. It can work again.
  

Step 3: Rummage the Bins

• Take the best shows from their umbrella of networks and plug them in to the 10 o'clock slots. There are so many quality shows that belong to NBC that currently go unappreciated. Monk and Burn Notice are two amazing shows on USA network. There's a new Law and Order series in the works and those seem to be fairly bulletproof. Men of a Certain Age on TNT has recently gained critical acclaim. I haven't seen the show but it seems like a great fit to follow Thursday night comedy. And finally Project Runway has become a huge success and I think it could find a place on NBC. A reality show? Why not. It's got the drama and Tim Gunn is great.

Presenting NBC's New Prime Time Lineup

Sunday - 9:00 Top Gear Presented by Jay Leno
Monday - 10:00 Monk (USA)
Tuesday - 10:00 Law and Order: Los Angeles (Rumored)
Wednesday - 10:00 Burn Notice (USA)
Thursday - 10:00 Men Of a Certain Age (TNT)
Friday- 10:00 Project Runway (BRAVO)

Is this perfect? No way. But it's a hell of a lot better than what's out there now.