For Conan O’Brien, it might be the perfect postscript to his turbulent year: a nomination for an Emmy.
But why would NBC, the network he just left, make an effort to push him for an award for work on his now defunct “Tonight” show?
It wouldn’t — and hasn’t. But his new network would — and is. TBS, which signed Mr. O’Brien for a new late-night show to start in November, will begin a campaign Tuesday morning directed at Emmy voters.
In a series of ads that will begin to appear in Tuesday’s editions of the Hollywood trade paper Variety — the traditional spot where paid “for your consideration” notices are placed — TBS is asking Emmy nominators to remember Mr. O’Brien.
One ad includes a large photo of Mr. O’Brien, reminiscent of one of the now-familiar “Team Coco” posters, and the message: “Give this man one more thing to Tweet about.” (Mr. O’Brien has built a legion of followers on Twitter with daily comic messages.) Another ad takes off on the comedian’s famous paleness by urging a vote for Mr. O’Brien for “Outstanding Achievement in the use of SPF 50.”
Both ads are signed: “From your friends at TBS.” Neither mentions NBC.
As incongruous as it may be to have a cable network urging an award for work done on a broadcast network, that might be topped if Mr. O’Brien does score an Emmy nomination. He would then be a prominent part of this year’s award ceremony, which will be broadcast Aug. 29 — on NBC.
(Source: NYTimes.com)
