I am not very much aware of Jon Stewart and so I would stick with Conan for now

Conan… I love this guy. I would stop watching late night television if Jon Stewart were to take the Late Show over Conaan.

Stephen Colbert has proved that Stewart isn’t the only ‘it’ thing on the cable network, and Stewart’s departure into greener pastures would not be destructive to the political satire dynasty that he’s cultivated at Comedy Central. Don’t forget he’s helmed the Daily Show for a long time, and you can be so hot only for so long. As for NBC not wanting to look like assholes, I think their recent history has proved otherwise. In Bill Carter’s brilliant book, The Late Shift, you see how NBC promised Letterman the Carson spot when he retired, they forced Carson’s hand by gently pushing him aside, then gave the franchise to Leno. And when Letterman was suddenly the hottest thing in television and planning to leave NBC, they offered the Tonight Show to him, while Leno was already hosting the program. I think they would be very happy to ditch Conan for Stewart if the opportunity presented itself. It’s also been reported that Leno has been unhappy with the delayed transition arrangement between him and O’Brien. That it wasn’t a vote of confidence in Leno that they only offered to extend his contract with the stipulation that he vacate no matter how high his ratings were speaks volumes of NBC’s machinations. Had NBC not promised the Tonight Show to Conan, he would have left forthwith and signed with ABC, as surprisingly enough CBS was loyal enough to stand by Letterman, as Letterman has indicated he’d like to continue hosting his show CBS owns Comedy Central, so I suspect Jon Stewart will stick around until well after the 2008 presidential election. His appeal and popularity, not to mention any influence he might have politically, is perhaps worth more than a network spot at this point. After 2008, Letterman will have been in television nearly 30 years, matching his hero and idol Carson’s record, and his chief rival Leno will be out at NBC in 2009. Letterman may abdicate and with Stewart at Comedy Central, CBS would be hardpressed not to ease him into the 11.30 spot.

Where did you get the Conan O’Brien was in the running for Craig Kilborn, Late Late spot bit? I doubt that, as it would be odd that O’Brien would go to a number two rated network with his number one rated show. David Letterman had once suggested to Les Moonves, the CBS head, that perhaps they offer the show to Leno, but I think he was being facetious. But I don’t recall Conan wanting to go to CBS. . . ABC, but not CBS. Even Letterman was tempted to go over to ABC at one point not too long ago. –joseph.