The New Yorker's Ken Auletta ("3 Blind Mice") has some harsh words for NBC's handling of the Jay Leno - Conan O'Brien Late Night Crisis 2010.

Appearing on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" Thursday, Auletta said he was "stunned" at Thursday's developments.

"For a network to have put as much effort and promise into moving Leno to 10 o'clock and replacing him with Conan O'Brien, and then after half a season to potentially cancel it, which may also mean cancelling Conan O'Brien -- I mean that's like shooting yourself in the mouth," Auletta said.

The writer also expressed amazement at NBC's statements on Leno's performance.

"They said today that, 'We have achieved our goals with Jay Leno'," Auletta said. "Now if you believe that, I've got to bridge to sell you."