NBC shuffles prime time lineup in effort to help Conan's ratings

One more ratings item: The New York Times is reporting that NBC is making changes to its 10 PM time slot to help provide a strong lead-in to its late night shows.

The terrorist-hunting show "The Wanted" was a ratings bust last Monday night -- and "some NBC late-night executives expressed concern that Conan O’Brien’s 'Tonight Show' had suffered as a result," writes the Times' Bill Carter. "Mr. O’Brien, who is in a tight ratings battle with David Letterman on CBS and 'Nightline' on ABC, had a promising lineup Monday with Adam Sandler as the lead guest. But his rating–even among the young adult viewers where he has been strong–did not get a boost."

Dave's Monday guests were Katherine Heigl, old buddy Jeff Altman, and rock band Spinnerette.

Next Monday, NBC will try moving "The Wanted" to 9 PM and putting an episode of "Dateline" on at 10, to see if it will help Conan's guest roster of Meryl Streep, "Funny People" director Judd Apatow and the Fray. Dave, meanwhile, will host the Dave Matthews Band, with the lead singer sitting down for an interview as well as performing.