Saturday, January 16, 2010

Hello, everybody. Like most of you, I have been following the latest developments coming out of that devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti that has left Port-au-Prince in ruins. In the last few days now, relief organizations from all over the world have descended on the country to help pick up the rubble and the bodies in which the estimated death toll could run up to hundreds of thousands. Not since 9/11 or even Hurricane Katrina have we ever seen such outpouring over a natural disaster in the Americas.

However, the worldwide outpouring was sorely needed, as Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The facts are staggering: 80% of the population lives below the poverty line; 54% lives in abject poverty; and Internet usage is sparse with only 1 million. That's because now more than ever, we've been reaching into our wallets -- or into our mobile phones -- to help out in any way.

In the last few days now, over $8 million was donated to the Red Cross from those who texted HAITI to 90999 ($10 would be added to their bill), while Wyclef Jean's Yele organization raised more than $2 million from texting "Yele" to 501501 ($5 added to the bill). The social networking universe also played their part in the effort, as "Help Haiti" was among the top trending topics on Twitter.

And then of course there was the traditional method of giving, as grocery chains all over the U.S. and Canada have set up Haiti donation canisters at checkout counters. In-person donations were made out to local Red Cross chapters as well.

We have also learned that George Clooney is teaming up with MTV to help organize a two-hour, multi-network "Hope For Haiti" telethon that will air next Friday.

Just like Katrina, this is a story that won't go away for quite a while, because it's going to be a long time before Haiti gets back on its feet again.

Now the earthquake will be in the thoughts of the celebrities coming to Sunday's Golden Globe Awards (and yes, I'll have a recap on it Monday)...as will the NBC late night drama, which appears to have come to an end.

It was all about whose side are you on: Team Conan or Team Leno? And apparently, Team Leno has won as there is word that in light of his 10:00 experiment a flop, "The Jay Leno Show" will become "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" once again and that Jay will be heading back to 11:35 where he belongs. Conan O'Brien, on the other hand? His "Tonight Show" has been called, according to longtime NBC executive Dick Ebersol, "an astounding failure" and it'll be off the air next week. The next move will belong to Conan, and Fox may be opening their doors to welcome him with open arms.

The whole turmoil definitely made great television for the entire late night landscape, as Jimmy Kimmel on his show scathingly poked fun at Leno, chin and all. David Letterman has also taken cheap shots at NBC as well, as his ratings continued to rise in the wake; the same can be said for George Lopez on the cable side. And of course, coverage of the earthquake in Haiti have drawn the serious viewers to "Nightline."

In the end, this is somewhat reminiscent of the infamous Montreal Screwjob, in which to paraphrase Vince McMahon, "Conan O'Brien screwed Conan O'Brien." Let's face it: He's a great guy, but we pretty much knew all along that his brand of humor would not work on the flagship "Tonight Show" format. In other words, Team Coco and his followers are the real losers in this battle. Let's hope that if he does go to Fox, he'll last longer than Chevy Chase. So long and stay strong.

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