No, George Lopez Has Not Been Leno'd
George Lopez
The announcement that Conan O'Brien will bump George Lopez from his TBS timeslot brought about an instant response from many an online snarker: Isn't this exactly what Jay Leno did to O'Brien?
Conan O'Brien going to TBS
No, it's not. And here's why.
Lopez, 48, personally called the deposed Tonight Show host last week to ask him to join the cable network's late-night lineup, saying he would happily cede the 11/10c timeslot his Lopez Tonight chatfest currently inhabits to O'Brien.
Check out photos of Conan through the years
"I can't think of anything better than doing my show with Conan as my lead-in," Lopez said in a statement. "It's the beginning of a new era in late-night comedy."
Lopez reiterated his excitement on Twitter: "I welcome @conanObrien to his new home at TBS .. A new generation of late night is about to begin !!"
Check out photos of George Lopez
A new era also needs a new name: "Team Lo-Co," Lopez tweeted.
O'Brien, if you recall, was asked by NBC to move The Tonight Show back 30 minutes to accommodate Leno, to which, of course, he objected.
NBC dumps Conan in $45 million deal; reinstates Leno as Tonight host
See? Sweet irony it is not.