As most people have heard, Conan O’Brien, the very funny host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” has had a tough week. NBC has decided to end Jay Leno’s failed primetime experiment and return him to late night, bumping Conan back from 11:35 to 12:05. Conan is not happy about the situation but has up until this Tuesday been very low key. Finally he has stated he will not accept the bump back and would leave NBC if they went through with the plan and has finally giving NBC the tongue-lashing they deserve.

The entire time this story has developed (in addition to my anger that Conan is getting -for lack of a better term- shafted) I can’t help but think that NBC is acting like a foolish person in a relationship. Leno is acting like NBC’s first boyfriend, their first love and a guy who can do no wrong no matter what crap he pulls. So when Leno decided he wanted to leave NBC, they accepted and looked fro someone new, Conan, to replace him and the situation appeared simple enough. When Leno decided though that wasn’t what he wanted NBC immediately (being in love with Leno of course) had to find a place for him in their lineup regardless of the cost detriment.

According to reports Leno’s show has not been a success, actually hurting ratings for the following news programs as well as leaving a huge five hour hole in NBC’s primetime programming. Now NBC is poised to ditch Conan to return to Leno who can’t seem to decide what he wants.

Frankly, Conan deserves better. He’s a wonderful talent and if you will indulge me in the relationship metaphor, is a much better catch then Leno. It appears that NBC is not thinking rationally and is instead devoted to their first love, unable to see that Conan may be a better fit for the network (in addition to having been promised “The Tonight Show” for years). He’s only seven months into his show and has only scratched the surface of his show’s potential. With great skits like the Year 3000 and Noches de Passion con Senor O’Brien, there is more then just potential, there is a loyal following and everything NBC needs for success at their fingertips. Conan uprooted not only his family and life but that of his staff as well and how does NBC repay his dedication? By bringing back the man he was supposed to succeed and give him his old timeslot back.

NBC, I hope you do not throw away the wonderful catch that Conan O’Brien is to have another fling with Leno. But as any good catch I’m sure another network would welcome Conan into their fold and I, along with many other loyal fans, will follow him wherever he goes.