The tragic earthquake in Haiti not only shook Port-au-Prince, but also shook Hollywood this week. George Clooney’s star studded Hope for Haiti telethon is geared to simulcast across multiple major networks this Friday. The telethon is expected to generate millions of dollars to benefit those stranded without food and shelter, however one major network has pulled out of the airing entirely.
NBC announced today that, although they would love to help out, Jay Leno had already reserved the time slot in which the telethon is expected to run. Originally anticipated for the same time slot as Law and Order: Semen Stain Unit and Biggest Loser: Paraplegics Edition, NBC officials were willing to give up the air space since, “No one watches that shit anyway.”
However, with the current Tonight Show contract debacles, NBC has devoted an unprecedented amount of their airtime to pleasing Jay Leno in hopes that he will return to the Tonight Show after they “get finished shafting that goofy-haired fellow”. Under the new agreement, Leno is expected to step in as the lead anchor on the Today Show, judge for America’s Got Talent, and fill in for Chris Hansen on “To Catch a Predator”.
Although many viewers and humanitarians are calling out to NBC and voicing overwhelming discontent, NBC has chosen to ignore their audience entirely. When asked why, executives replied, “Well, that’s what we always do.”
NOTE: To get involved with the rescue and recovery actions in Haiti, please visit RedCross.org. It may be the most important thing you do all year.