When NBC first came up with the idea of a 10 p.m. weekday strip hosted by longtime late-night impresario Jay Leno, media people had big doubts. It was a risky proposition, slotting in a talk show in an hour where viewers were used to seeing dramas.

Many wondered, what was NBC thinking?

Now how do they see things, with the announcement that NBC is canceling the show and moving Leno back to his late-night slot?

Nothing NBC and head honcho Jeff Zucker would like to hear.

Here's a just a sample of comments from a poll Media Life put up on Friday after word leaked that NBC was axing the show, responding to the question: How has NBC handed the situation?

"A 4-year-old with a crayon could have done better."

"I've been saying it for years. Fire Zucker. Save the network."

"The Jay Leno situation only confirms the ineptness of Jeff Zucker's holy terror reign at NBC. Comcast executives have to know they were sold defective goods. Zucker's contract will be bought up sooner rather than later. And maybe his old boss Katie Couric will give him a job fetching coffee and running her errands."

"They made a stupid decision and let the affiliates twist in the wind. It seemed like they didn't even realize what a big problem they were creating for the affiliates."

"Actually, they are handling this like everything they do in Zuckerville. Smile. Laugh. Gland-hand. And, go to their private bathroom where the press can't follow."

Yet, interestingly, more respondents than not thought NBC should have given the Leno show more time.

Asked whether NBC should cancel the show or stick it out, 55 percent thought the network should have given it more time, agreeing with this statement: "Ratings could fall even more with ill-conceived replacements. Better to stick with 'Leno' through May and put lots of money into developing smart shows for next fall."

One concern is moving Leno back to late-night is how he will fare after being away for so many months.

Responses were divided but the largest share, 33 percent, believe Leno will do better than Conan O'Brien has done in that slot but will lag behind David Letterman, who has risen to top O'Brien in the ratings.

They agreed with this statement: "People have already changed their late-night habits once this year, they won't come running back."

But almost as many, 25 percent, believe Leno will regain the lead he held so many years as host of "The Tonight show," agreeing with this statement:

"He will quickly return to No. 1, knocking down David Letterman and 'Nightline.' Conan O'Brien will be much stronger as his lead-out, and NBC's lineup will be dominant once again."

Still, some think Leno will bomb in his old chair.

Just over 18 percent agreed with this statement: "Leno will fizzle, as will the rest of NBC's schedule. You can't keep changing things around every few months, you have to show some patience and confidence in your changes."

The all-looming question is what will become of O'Brien. Will he accept an effective demotion and move back to his old timeslot leading out of Leno, or will he walk?

Nearly half of Media Life readers, 43 percent, think he will accept the later timeslot, agreeing with this statement: "He is a team player; he'll stay in the later timeslot until his contract is up."

But a slightly larger share think O'Brien will walk; 26 percent believe he will take a buyout from NBC, with 22 thinking he will defect to Fox.

Another big question in the minds of media planners and buyers is how NBC will fill those five hour-long slots on weeknights once "Leno" ends.

Almost half expect the network to bring back some of the shows that used to air there, notably "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

But 25 percent believe the network will fill the hour with repurposed shows from sister network USA, such as "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Burn Notice."

As the comments above suggest, Zucker is receiving much of the blame for the 10 p.m. "Leno" fiasco, but will he take the hit, losing his job over it?

Nearly two thirds of respondents, 59 percent, believe he will survive in the immediate future but not very long once new owner Comcast takes full control, agreeing with this statement: "He'll be gone by next fall. Comcast is watching this all unfold."