Is NBC Really That Bad?

Clearly mistakes were made. Ratings were lost. Feelings were hurt.

NBC screwed up. Big time. By trying to shake up the up the late night show lineup, they inadvertently rattled the cages of throngs of die-hard Conan O'Brien fans. This has been the center of attention throughout popular media for the past week, even on NBC shows, and especially on Conan's show.

I love Conan, and like many other fans, felt slighted, even personally insulted, by NBC's selfishness and insensitivity. How could they do that to Conan?? But upon reflection, was I really mad at NBC or simply frustrated with an unfortunate situation. NBC's not a person. Getting angry at a television network is like a five-year-old ragefully throwing his Wii controller because he can't beat the last level of the new Mario game. Or like me ragefully throwing my Wii controller because I can't beat the last level of the new Mario game. It's pointless.

Sure, we can point fingers at Jeff Zucker, or other NBC senior leaders. But come on. The point of NBC, and pretty much every other for-profit company in the world, is to make money. Do you really the current situation would be handled any differently with different corporate leadership? There are profits to maximize and shareholders to please.

Again, I'm a huge Conan fan and am deeply regretful that he's leaving The Tonight Show, but that's business. Even show business.

P.S. In slightly related NBC news, I thought it was awesome of SNL's Weekend Update to plug donations for Haiti last Saturday. There are numerous relief organizations and ways to donate to help Haiti recover from the recent earthquake. If you haven't already donated, texting HAITI to 90999 is quick and easy way to give $10 to a tremendous cause.