Jay Leno returns to NBC’s “Tonight Show” Monday evening, March 1, 2010. He will once again be going head-to-head against his longtime rival David Letterman in the late-night time slot.
The big question will be whether Leno can be creative enough to move people beyond the still vivid memories of his failed prime-time debacle and the fiasco with Conan O’Brien and NBC.
Jay’s guest line-up this week will include SI bikini model and gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, singer Adam Lambert and the cast of “Jersey Shore“.
Don’t expect Letterman to lay down and roll over. He has booked Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, comedian Jerry Seinfeld and newsman Tom Brokaw for the first week in March.
Leno has a positive track record with “Tonight”, holding fast at No. 1 for 15 of his 17 years as host. Dave is currently king of the top spot and O’Brien is living the good life with a $45 million settlement.
Leno recently told Oprah, “The only way you can fix these things is to try and do good shows, not be bitter, not be angry or upset.”
One of the most popular Super Bowl commercials this year was the Leno, Oprah, Letterman 30-second ad – check it out and Leno’s March 1, 2010 monologue below: