
By refusing NBC's offer of a "Tonight Show" shifted to a post-midnight, post-Jay Leno time slot, host Conan O'Brien has protected the 56-year-old tradition of that program. And he's also protected the 46-year-old Conan O'Brien
powerleveling aion.Rejecting NBC's recent offer was the best move O'Brien could have made -- even if he was forced into it. Had he stayed where he was, he would most likely would have continued to lose in the ratings. Had he accepted a move to an even later time slot, his losses would likely increase.O'Brien laid down his hand Tuesday
wow levelingafternoon and showed his hole cards, in an aggressively pointed way. He delivered a self-penned missive and handed it to Bill Carter of The New York Times, a long-time respected chronicler of the late-night wars. In it, he talked of protecting the legacy of "The Tonight Show," a concern that his NBC bosses clearly do not share.O'Brien's respect for late-night television and its traditions may be more elusive and less common in the future. Like the
power leveling aion evening news, late-night TV still attracts millions of viewers, but its stature is far from what it was. When late-night TV reaches water-cooler-conversation status these days, it's via the Web, not same-night viewing.