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Ferguson beats Conan

AP TV reporter David Bauder reports that Craig Ferguson’s CBS talk show beat his NBC rival last week for the first time since he started hosting the show in January 2005.

It caps a slow and steady climb for Ferguson and raises a red flag for future Tonight show host O’Brien, although NBC says it is still happy with O’Brien’s audience.

NBC suits were quick with the excuses and mitigating circumstances and the “key demo” sound bites. But all anyone hears is that Ferguson beat Conan.

The implications for Conan and for NBC are big. It is especially interesting since Jay Leno has been making noise about not exiting quietly when it comes time for his younger replacement to get behind the desk in Burbank. As those cards usta say before the commercial break on Johnny: “More to come.”