Jay Leno Addresses Late-Night Controversy
As Conan O'Brien supporters gathered for rallies in New York and Los Angeles yesterday, Jay Leno took to the air to finally tell his side of the late-night controversy at NBC.
Based on everything Leno said, two things are clear:
- Everyone that runs the network should be fired immediately.
- Leno isn't remotely funny or creative.
In the clip below, he simply lays out everything that's happened over the last few years between he and O'Brien. It's simple, it's professional (he refers to Conan as a "gentlemen" and "good guy") and it's nowhere near as witty as the statement released by Conan last week.
Leno also claims the situation might be resolved today. We'll keep readers apprised if it is.
** UPDATE: Source confirm that O'Brien is to officially lose The Tonight Show. In exchange, he'll receive $32.5 million from NBC, and his staff will also receive severance.
In exchange for this deal, Conan may not host another show until September.
Related Posts
- Michelle Obama Visits Tonight Show, Jay Leno Actually Eats Vegetables!
- Jerry Seinfeld Stars in Acura Super Bowl Ad
- Jay Leno Sued Over Sikh Mitt Romney Joke
- Jay Leno Takes Shot at Mitt Romney, Upsets Sikh Community
January 28th, 2010 7:22 PM
Anyone know what Leno's ratings were his first 7 months versus Carson's ratings were his last year???
Rank: Z-Lister
January 25th, 2010 6:29 AM
"The Hollywood Gossip." Ha? Gossip, right, not taking sides or anything...right? GEEZ! The lack of professionalism and reporters dignity totally is to step all over, or the professionalism is to be put on a mouse trap and be stolen by RATS. One sided opinions. Where is the "Gossip"?...Leno did his comments almost professionally, not stooping-ly and childish like Conan, whom you quote as "witty." There is a difference: Conan, Letterman, Kimmel have been immature, spiteful, vengeful. Leno: [at this time of insults by those mentioned] has been almost a total gentlemen, professional...LENO IS THE REAL DEAL STAND UP COMEDIAN, which is the real reason many of you hate him(or it)..."Everyone should be fired"? It just goes to show the hate and hateful mentality of those who claim to be...professional.
January 24th, 2010 12:06 AM
Jay had five years to get ready for his retirement...he knew he was going and she should have gone. He's not funny and he hasn't been for many years. I'm a coco fan, but I also loved SNL when Coco was a writer. SNL has also gone down hill since coco left the show and I predict the same for the Tonight Show now that Coco's left the building.
Rank: Z-Lister
January 23rd, 2010 7:53 PM
Wow! NBC starts something and Jay gets the blame, typical of how networks treat their own employees. Did a good job of turning two people against each others, I wonder who is the next victim. I think NBC should have left the schedule the way it was in the first place. Oh well, the network didn't have high ratings to begin with so they had to do something to stir up some kind of controversy. Shame on NBC, they ought to do away with ALL the latenight shows and make it fair to everyone, Jay shouldn't even go back to the network, look how NBC is treating him too. Things like this shouln't be happening.
January 23rd, 2010 4:33 PM
NBC peacock is definately molting and has two black eyes. Need new blood at NBC and I'm not talking about Conan and Leno. Liked Conan better. Didn't give him much of a chance and Leno had a bad time slot.
Time to roast the bird.
January 23rd, 2010 2:56 PM
I really don't care for either of the two guys. Late night is not as good as when The Tonight Show was hosted by Johnny Carson. Jay Leno sucks and Conan is not funny. They both made their money but in my opinion Conan came out on top; ratings was low but he made $32 million anyway. Both Jay and Coco are not good comediens; NBC invest your money in some of the new young talented people. That way you can have a top rated show longer.
January 23rd, 2010 11:32 AM
Maybe they both failed because there are too many people on air at the same time doing the same thing. We need original programming for a change.
January 20th, 2010 3:56 PM
jay leno is a hack anyway. his stuff isnt funny and it never has been. i dont watch much late night shows but if i do i watch conan. take the money and run. long live coco.
January 19th, 2010 1:10 PM
Humor is indeed a matter of taste, and network programming is a matter of Nielsen ratings. Period. The only thing funny about Conan and Kimmel is their recent boo-hooing over how important their jobs are to them because "they have kids".
Yes, that's right, Conan and Kimmel are the only people on Earth that have kids or jobs. We should feel sorry for them. Thousands of other people in TV have lost their jobs in the past, but if anyone suggests that Conan or Kimmel should go, they throw temper tantrums. What pompous a$$es they are.
Next time anyone feels sorry for Conan they should think about the millions of people in this country who are out of work. Many of them have kids, you know. Many of them have lost or will lose their homes. Many are going to lose their benefits shortly, when their last round of unemployment benefits run out. Many have already stopped getting unemployment checks and health benefits.
Conan and Kimmel have already earned tens of millions of dollars. Co
January 19th, 2010 11:48 AM
Humor is a matter of taste. Perhaps Jay doesn't connect well with Hilton Hater, But his Tonight Show numbers beat hell outta Letterman's numbers and Conan's in the same time slot so there you have it. Opinions are like rear ends, everyone has got one. But the numbers matter and those sweet things still belong to Jay big time. Just a lil reality check in a world fulla bull. :)&-=