Jay Leno Rips NBC in Monologue

By Mike Hess Posted Jan 8th 2010 07:49AM

Jay Leno used his talk-show pulpit to skewer NBC on the day that various media reports emerged that his days in the 10 p.m. time slot may be done. Going straight for the throat, Leno taunted his network by saying "I hear Fox is beautiful this time of year" and joking that the trust between him and the Peacock network is gone. Watch the Video Below:

The verbal assault comes after rumors flew claiming Leno would be returning to 11:30 in late February. There was no word where that would leave Conan O'Brien, who took over Leno's 'Tonight Show' chair last year.

During his monologue, Leno put in several shots at NBC. When addressing the cancellation rumor, he quipped that he has nothing to worry about because "NBC only cancels you when you're in first place, so we're fine."

Since taking the 10 p.m. slot, Leno's ratings have been in steady decline and are a far drop from his 'Tonight' pull. Making matters even worse for NBC, local affiliates across the country complained because his 10 p.m. lead-in into their 11 p.m. newscasts was hurting their ratings.

Perhaps the harshest shot that Leno took at NBC was veiled in a news story that he turned to his advantage.

"The Justice Department announced they'll conduct an anti-trust review of Comcast's proposal deal ... you know the merge with NBC. Anti-trust, which is the relationship I have with NBC," he said.

Closing out the monologue, Leno got in one last pot shot, asking band leader Kevin Eubanks: " Hey Kev, what does NBC stand for? Never Believe your Contract!"

PopEater's Rob Shuter reported on December 17 that NBC was courting Jerry Seinfeld to replace O'Brien in the hopes of boosting that slot's sagging ratings. Unfortunately, NBC was unable to ink the deal according to Shuter, which then prompted the possible Leno switch.

In a statement obtained by EW.com, NBC is shooting down the shift rumors, saying (without denying any upcoming changes): "Jay Leno is one of the most compelling entertainers in the world today. 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 performance."

Tags: conan obrien, ConanObrien, jay leno, jay leno show, JayLeno, JayLenoShow

Comments

(202)

Friday 08 January

By Kathy

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I for one am not suprised that the Jay Leno Show is going belly up. It's bad enought that they have a awful line up now but then they put this show in and really nail the coffin shut. Please rework your line up, it stinks!

By Kman

Note to Leno:
.
If your show didn't suck, then you wouldn't be canceled. But it does, and you will.
.
You are a typical liberal - blaming your problems on everything but yourself.

Saturday 09 January

By KCD

Jerry didn't do any favors for that Microsoft campaign... that lasted about a week. Leno just isn't very funny. He laughs at his own jokes more than the audience does. The dog shouldn't bite - atleast publically - the masters hand.

By joey the gent

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i always thought JAY was that guy from nash bridges RICK

By John Martin

Jay Leno has provoded me with years of pure listening and viewing pleasure. And almost ALL without the political bull you constantly get from the media as a whole. And if Jay should end up on Fox, it would be a pleasure to see hin on a winning network.

By roberta sanford

Well I am a big Leno fan always have been and try to see him in person as often as possible. I like the 10 show time it's not as late but as long as he is still on every night I will be watching. As for Conan, he's a goober , he's too silly and just plain off. I would rather watch Letterman than him and actually have never watched in unless he had someone on I wanted to see . Keep Jay on whenever you want and I'll be watching.

By Kal el

Here's an idea! How about they put Leno and O'Brien on the same show and time. Leno would be the head guy and O'Brien would the sidekick just like the days with Carson and McMahon.

By humblepie624

I may not be a network executive but I knew this wasn't going to work. If it isn't broke don't try and fix it.

By tom mattingly

i say get rid of jay and conan and put something entertaining on in their slots.

By prv8eye

Leno was a great alternative to Letterman. Years ago I loved watching Letterman but he now seems bitter and now is often annoying to watch.
Letterman often seems rude to his own guests, ESPECIALLY any who doesn't share his leftists views.
He keeps inviting Bill O'Reilly on his show, then attempts to make him look bad. O'Reilly presents facts to rebut Letterman's rhetoric and always makes Letterman look like an idiot.
Then Letterman tries to joke his way out of it but the damage is done. WHY does he keep doing that?
Leno is never rude or condescending to his guests. He's got more class than Letterman. After a long day it's more enjoyable to watch someone that's not just being a jerk.

By moleman

NBC should have kept Leno on at 11:30, Conan sucks. Leno needs to fine tune his show, such as losing that ultra-annoying JMZ sh)t. I now watch Letterman again and Craig Ferguson kicks all there asses. He is original and don't care about being a suckup.

By Steve Dillard

Let me tell you something about Jay Leno. I wrote Jay Leno a few months ago for an autograph. I sent 2 index cards to be signed....with a self-addressed stamped envelope. It took a few months to get it back...but he only signed one card of the 2. Also, I sent a similar letter to Conan Obrien, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, Craig Ferguson, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Dr. Phil. I collect autographs as you can probably tell. Well, out of ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, I have only received the "ONE" back from Jay. Oh yeah, he also sent me in a seperate package....a signed 8 X 10. It is a real autograph too. Not a fake copy...or Preprint as they are called. Jay's ratings might not be so good right now....but he was FIRST sending an autograph. THANK YOU Mr. Leno!!

By JIm

According to NBC/Universal, "The Jay Leno Show" and "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brian" are staying where they are. NBC is happy with the show's and the host's.

By Mr. B.

Jay Leno Sucks ! .... Letterman RULES !

By Joe Cosentino

Well, well, Leno finally said something funny!

By LInda

I knew from the beginning that putting O'Brian in Jay's 11:35 slot was the death of that show. O'Brian is about as funny as a one car funeral and if they have to pay him 30 million to get him out of their hair, DO IT,,,and Do it QUICK before your whole network goes to hell in a hand basket. Who ever decided to do this in the first place should be fired as they most definitely don't know what the public wants.

By mallie0333

When will the NBC idiots learn "if it's not broke don't fix it"?
Conan is just plain stupid with all his antics so send him to bed without supper. As for getting Seinfeld, that would top the "stupid" list. That dude is so lame nobody wants to see him even chase dogs.
If it weren't for his supporting cast members that show would have ended up in the garbage immediately. Late night will never be the same without Johnny Carson. Craig Ferguson is at least funny and charming.

By Barb

I just LOVE Jay Leno at any time slot. I record his show faithfully and watch it faithfully both at 11:30 and 10 pm. Please keep Leno's show - as if you don't some station will certainly pick him up.

By Nick

Putting Jay back on the Tonight Show at 11:35 is the move NBC should make. He is not a "prime time" guy, and Conan and Fallon are, frankly train wrecks. I gave Conan a week when he first came on, and then switched to Letterman since then. NBC should be warned; Jay at another station at 11:35 would put Conan's ratings even lower. As far as Fallon, well, he just sucks.

By stud muffin

Letterman is so bad his name is not on the vote list, he is the worst ever.

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