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Business Wars · November 12, 2020 · 32m

Late Night Wars: Leno vs. Letterman vs. Conan

The battle for Johnny Carson's throne. Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Conan O'Brien compete for the most prestigious job in television. NBC's executive decisions create one of the most dramatic sagas in entertainment history.

Canon

Conan could have attacked NBC viciously. Instead, he gave a gracious farewell speech that went viral. The courage to respond to betrayal with dignity became the defining moment of his career.

Highlights

NBC's broken promises to Conan O'Brien reveal that institutional loyalty is a one-way relationship
NBC promised Conan The Tonight Show for years, then took it away after 7 months when Leno's ratings declined. Institutional promises evaporate when financial incentives change.