Can Jay Leno resurrect NBC?

After a series of failed experiments, the bosses at NBC are trying to win back the audience.

Following the very public departure of Canon O’Brien, Jay Leno will resume hosting his show on the popular time-slot on Monday night, while Jimmy Fallon takes over ‘Late Night.’ NBC sure must be keeping its fingers crossed that they get to reclaim the two-hour segment.

Impressive guest-list
NBC has already released a list of the guests who will appear on ‘The Tonight Show’ in the first two weeks, apparently to build up some interest among the viewers with big names.

The network has roped in Olympians like skier Lindsey Vonn, snowboarder Shaun White, and speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno to share the screen with Jay Leno on his big return.

Big draws Sarah Palin and Simon Cowell are also on the list of guests scheduled to appear on the show within the first two weeks. Other guests will include Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, and Kristen Stewart among others.

Thought the release of guest list has killed the mystery about the guests, it may work for NBC as they have an impressive line-up there.

As a new battle between Jay Leno and David Letterman kicks off, NBC is looking to cover all risks. Though Leno has consistently stayed ahead of Letterman in the past, CBS surged when O’Brien captured the popular show.

Where is Leno’s audience?
The controversies are left behind, the coveted time-slot is vacant for Leno, eminent personalities have been booked as guests, but is that enough to ensure success?

No, says Kim Masters of The Daily Beast. According to her, Leno will be able to help the ratings only if his old audience is prepared to accept him.

“Either Jay’s public following is waiting to embrace him or they are not. He doesn’t necessarily need to pick up new people. He needs to keep the old people,” she said.

It was 5.2 million viewers for Leno’s final season at ‘The Tonight Show,’ and as soon as he was replaced by O’Brien, the number slumped to 2.4 million.

Apparently, those millions of Leno’s audience weren’t interested in watching his arch-rival David Letterman either, as no significant jump was seen in the ratings at CBS during that period.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Fallon is also gearing up against Craig Ferguson of CBS.

The initial publicity might help the ratings in the beginning, but the real test for NBC is not to draw the audience once, it is to keep them.