Tubefilter News

Web TV network Revision3 issued an open offer letter to NBC’s The Tonight Show host Conan O’Brien to take his show online. After the embattled late night star rejected a proposal from NBC to move the show to another time slot, there are talks of a separation agreement, in the $30-40 million range, letting O’Brien leave the peacock network as Jay Leno prepares to take back over the 11:30 PM time slot. So flush with cash from the settlement, and perhaps in a coup de grâce to NBC, O’Brien could take his popular show to the internet.

Revision3’s VP of Programming and Production Ryan Vance made the open offer, which they say is a serious one, to Conan “Coco” O’Brien today on the company’s blog. The growing online network essentially built itself on high-profile hosts—like Diggnation’s Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht—though O’Brien would clearly be the biggest personality they’ve had yet, and that includes a stint with Gary Vaynerchuk and his Wine Library TV! Vance said they are offering up the “keys to the kingdom” to O’Brien, and also noted that co-host Andy Richter is also invited.

I’m taking this opportunity to officially offer you a brand-new show of your choosing here at Revision3. Rest assured, you’ll be able to bring your set, band and even Andy (especially Andy) with you as you transition to our cutting-edge online TV network. We have room for the Masturbating Bear, FedEx Pope and even Mini Jay Leno here on the internet.

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I know you’re also weighing countless job offers from extended cable networks and hardcore porn channels. Just know we serve more videos than your average porn site (not true) and have more viewers than your average extended cable network (true).

To sum up, Conan, you have the keys to the kingdom here at Revision3. You want to change our studio around? Done. Want to move any of our existing shows to 10pm Please do. Want to give Andy his own show so he can finally truly control the universe? Done. You name the game, we’ll make it happen.

Other benefits:
- A fantastic creative and supportive working environment
- No network censors
- Top notch adsales team monetizing your show
- Complimentary broadband
- “Competitive” salary (you’re going to have more money than Oprah from NBC, so what do you care?!)
- Managed social media strategy, building a dedicated audience around your show
- Decent benefits

The web has yet to have a ‘late night’ talk show with the caliber of someone like Conan. Several celebs have spun up web chat shows, some of which are holding their own like Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show, but others seem to have faded away like Crackle’s Anytime with Bob Kushell.

After his strike videos hit the internet, “my agent Marc Gordon suggested I have my own talk show on-line,” he added. The pair pitched around some ideas and eventually came up with the Anytime 5-minute talk show concept. If you’re looking for quirkiness of Between Two Ferns, you’re not going to get that. However, you will see a funny bit followed by a funny and often awkward interview with a high profile celebrity guest, like Christina Applegate, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Kat Von D and many other people you would normally have to turn on your television to see.

Forget about the power shifting on the late night talk circuit and the not-really-a-web-series teasers for Jimmy Fallon’s new NBC gig. The web is about to get its own celeb-powered talk show Anytime With Bob Kushell when it premieres this Thursday on Crackle. Part of Sony Pictures Television’s recently announced slate of original web series programming that kicked off earlier this month, the weekly series is hosted by writer-comedian Bob Kushell (Samantha Who) and boasts some clickable talent including John Stamos (ER, Full House), who (rumor has it) will be ‘undressing’ on the show, though there is no information on how far he will go. Other star making the trip to Bob’s garage set: Jennifer Esposito (on Christmas Day), Neil Patrick Harris (on New Year’s Day), Zach Levi, and Christina Applegate to name a few. Emmy-nominated Kushell is executive producing with Russell Arch under the production company Killer Custard.

This morning Crackle, Sony Pictures Television’s web arm, announced a “season” of original web series programming which includes a slate of brand new shows as well as a few returning series all set to premiere beginning December 1, with weekly programming planned for every day of the week. Highlights of the 13-week season include a talk show with Emmy nominated writer Bob Kushell (featuring guests including Jennifer Esposito, Neil Patrick Harris, John Stamos and Christina Applegate), new seasons of Owen Benjamin Presents and The Jace Hall Show, and the debut of David Faustino’s new comedy series Star-ving (premiering January 16, 2009).

Crackle has come a long way since its $65 million acquisition of video sharing site Grouper in 2006, partnering with content creators including The Guild producer and Hollywood Web Television Meetup presenter Kim Evey’s Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show, and acquiring worldwide distribution rights to Rocketboom. “Delivering on our promise to debut high-quality original content on a daily basis, Crackle’s next programming slate combines new episodes of some of our most popular series with fresh new shows,” said Eric Berger, Senior Vice President, Sony Digital Networks. “From series like David Faustino’s Star-ving to the new feature titles we’re adding regularly, we’re a one-stop entertainment destination.”