Video: Jay Leno Jokes About Show Cancellation
Jay Leno poked fun at reports that he is heading back to late night television now that his primetime show is scrapped.
During the opening monologue of The Jay Leno Show Thursday, he cracked that he needs to talk to CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric: "You know, she left NBC for another network. I gotta give her a call, see how that's working out."
He then added that if his new show got canned, he'll be able to have more time to travel. "I understand that Fox is beautiful this time of year," he quipped.
Bandleader Kevin Eubanks also asked him what NBC stands for.
Leno shot back, "Never believe your contract!"
Due to sagging ratings, NBC is considering moving Leno back to the 11:35 p.m. EST slot he held for 17 years as Tonight Show host. This would move Conan O'Brien to 12:05 a.m. and Jimmy Fallon's Late Night to 1:05 a.m., according to reports.
"Jay Leno is one of the most compelling entertainers in the world today," an NBC rep tells UsMagazine.com. "As we have said all along, Jay’s show has performed exactly as we anticipated on the network. It has, however, presented some issues for our affiliates. Both Jay and the show are committed to working closely with them to find ways to improve the performance."
Tell Us What You Think
11If I could give advice to Conan, it would be something my father said to me when I was working my butt off for an unappreciative boss... "don't let 'em pi$$ all over you, open your mouth" And that Conan isn't alone -- we're all getting $crewed at work these days! Keep your head held high because you are talented and you will make it. Many of us will follow if you end-up moving to another network or even timeslot.
Kathy - which button on my remote turns you off. Although, I'm sure you've turned off a lot of men in your day. Jay IS a conservative for those of you who feel he is too liberal. I like Conan and always have. Me and some friends when to a taping in NYC and Conan has LOTS of fans. Maybe it's time for Conan to not be so 'mainstream' and think about a move to his own variety show on a grown-up network like HBO. I can't think of anything better than hearing tall thin white Irish Conan using curse words! LOVE Conan!!!!!
If NBC made this change, why would they give O'Brien an hour and Leno only a half hour? Hour dumb! Leno's the one who gets numbers - not O'Brien. Other people, like me, will switch as soon as Leno's show is over.
They should have left Jay alone. He had a reat show. Conan is silly and that hair is atrocious. He is near as cute as he thinks he is. Pay him to go back to N.Y. Thats where he belongs. It will be great to have Jay back where he belongs. If anyone out there does not like Jay there is a button the TV that can turn him off. Try it.
Folks don't watch as Jay pushes the homosexual agenda (perhaps he is in the closet).
So bummed for Conan and Jimmy Fallon! I hope they come out on top! Sorry Jay, time to retire.
Jay is doing the Brett Favre. You can't quit and then force the job you left to give you the job back by firing the new person. Some history: -In 2004ish, Jay and NBC announced that Conan would get the tonight show after Jay left. They wanted to avoid the ugliness that was Leno vs. Letterman when Johnny Carson left. -Jay got $100M for the 5 years from 2004 -2009 -Jay and NBC could have easily changed their minds during the 5 years. They didn't Before this new stuff, I was already pissed because Jay didn't allow Conan to own late night like Johnny did for Jay. How is Conan going to succeed if the Jay is still out in front? Conan's 5 year fantasy of getting the crown jewel of late night got squashed. I like Jay. I like NBC. In this instance though, they are dead wrong. They better pay Conan his entire contract and some. Hopefully Conan had a "pre-nup".
It would be great to see Leno back in the 11:35 p.m. slot. While I like to 'shut down' after Leno's present time slot, I often miss the evening news. No big deal, I just get the next day started earlier. When Leno was in the later time slot I saw more evening news, then a well paced evening show to 'wind down and crash'.
Leno is old news...let him go to another network...leave Conan & Jimmy alone...
He could start telling stupid jokes, that might get the conservatives back
He can start by not being so LIBERAL, he has eliminated over HALF of his audience!!!!