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Jay Leno finally pushed the envelope! And it was funny! Who knew he had it in him?

The bad news: He mocked his own network, and now NBC is very far from pleased.

The play-it-safe comedian and NBC executive Robert Greenblatt reportedly had an “exchange of pointed emails” about jokes aimed at the network.

The big-chinned one was doing what he’s done for years in mocking NBC’s sliding ratings, but Leno apparently went too far on February 28, saying:

“The most common thing people are giving up for Lent? Watching NBC,” Leno quipped. “It’s so bad, NBC called Manti Te’o and asked him to bring in some imaginary viewers.”

The report comes amid rumors that Jay Leno will be replaced as The Tonight Show host by the struggling network … but you have to admit, that’s a good one.