Now It's Personal: Jay Leno Jokes About Dave Letterman's Marriage

By PopEater Staff Posted Jan 21st 2010 08:17AM

Dave Letterman teed off on Jay Leno earlier this week in relation to the NBC 'Tonight' mess, and now Leno is fighting back directly at his nemesis -- only this time, it's personal instead of business. While Letterman generally kept his Leno insults showbiz-related, Leno fired off a marriage joke on Wednesday night that will surely hit close to home -- literally -- for Letterman, who last year admitted to having extramarital affairs. Did Jay go too far? What He Said After the Jump!

During his monologue, Leno admitted that "Letterman has been hammering me every night," addressing the attacks to his crowd and band leader Kevin Eubanks. Leno continued, asking Eubanks: "Hey Kev, you know the best way to get Letterman to ignore you? Marry him. He will not bother you. He won't look you in the eye."

Leno, of course, was referencing Letterman's infidelity, which he announced on his show in 2009 in order to stave off an alleged extortionist. Letterman admitted that he had sexual affairs with members of his staff while he was married.

Letterman reamed Leno earlier this week, calling his current actions -- which many view as muscling Conan O'Brien out of NBC and the 'Tonight Show' chair -- "vintage Jay." "So last night, Jay gave his state of the network speech, and he said that we should not blame Conan for what's going on. And I said to myself, 'No one is blaming Conan,'" Letterman told his crowd.

The feud between Letterman and Leno goes back decades, thanks to the two dueling for the 'Tonight Show' throne in anticipation of Johnny Carson stepping down.

Related: Conan O'Brien, NBC Reach $45 Million Divorce Deal

Tags: Dave Letterman, DavidLetterman, jay leno

Comments

(350)

Thursday 21 January

By CB

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It's about time Jay said something. I'm tired of Letterman, and he needs to get over his bitterness over Jay winning over him. As for those that think Leno crossed the line by what he said, I'm totally glad he did.. maybe now Letterman will keep his mouth shut and mind his own business! As much as I started to like Conan, he's the one that decided he didn't want to continue with the show... Jay, I'll be watching you once again!

By Bonita

You are TOTALLY correct. Letterman IS bitter AND jealous that Leno not only got the TONIGHT SHOW but also out rated Letterman for 12 years. Leno has always taken the high road re this. After a week of Letterman's ranting, Leno FINALLY responded with the truth. Leno likes and respects women (including his wife). Letterman does not.
Leno will out rate Letterman again.

By Dottie

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Hey guys. I did an experiment last night. I stayed up very late and watched a little of all the shows. You know what? Jimmy Kimmel was by far the best. He's a very funny, classy guy. Also, I must admit to having a little crush on Craig Ferguson. He's silly, funny, and pretty damn cute!!

By Donna

See Letterman I knew you were pushing this BS too far. Good for Jay for telling the truth about what you did to your wife. You sleeze bag. See truth hurts doesnt it.

By DonnA

No Hattie Crabtree Dave cheated on his WIFE after they were married. Letterman thinks he is all that and he is not. ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

By hsw

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm on team Conan and think Leno is a weasel but Letterman calling anyone's character into question is the absolute ultimate in hypocrisy !

By tennwilliams

does anyone truly care who is hosting these shows? the writing is usally so cheesy that I can't force myself to stay up late enough to watch.

By tom

who cares they both suck...there was only one johnny carson and he was late night period

By Stephanie

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

You're right Hattie...the affairs were before Dave was married.

By JustinOpinion

It's simple....LENO SUCKS. He's a washed up has been and it's time, PAST TIME, for him to step down. He's a loser, always has been and always will be. GO CONAN...GO LETTERMAN!

By Patti

You seem to be forgetting Jay didnt want to retire NBC forced him to. Then when O'brien took over and didnt make the grade NBC decided to go back and offer Jay the position. NBC knew what they were doing from the get go. Jay is looking out for his people and so was O'Brien. Good for both of them they held to there guns and both seem to have gotten what they wanted. Now when you talk about Letterman . . . . Everything is far game with that guy. He didnt just have one affair with his employees he had several and they were for several years. So why marry someone who has stayed by you for twenty something years then marry to cheat? The guy is a nut case him and those white socks can both go. No great loss here.

By Pepe

THE OLD PERVERT SAYS WHATEVER HE WANTS EVERY NIGHT!
HE EVEN TALKS ABOUT PALIN'S BABY DAUGHTER GETTING KNOCKED UPU BY AROD!
SOME ONE SHOULD KNOCK UP THAT KNUCLEHEAD OR MAKE FUN OF THAT BEAST HE FINALLY MARRIED!
UP YOURS LETTERMAN!!!!!

By DUKE

LETTERMAN IS A PISSANT AND A MISCREANT.

Sunday 24 January

By nis jackson

jay is funny and not mean, letterman is just mean and not funny. letterman has no class and the reason he is on the air after sex with his employees is his boss has no class either. may they both be sued till they are gone.

By dcnashinsc

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

For a guy who makes his living poking fun at others and trashing the, Leno has an awfully thin skin. He was merciless on OJ, Tiger, Brittany, Paris, Mel Gibson and anybody else that got in trouble. If you can't take it then don't dish it out.

By Bobbb

I am going to have to say they both are wrong. Dave is wrong that Leno is behind Conan's "misfortunes" and Leno for attacking Dave's indescetion is this way. I think Letterman's indescetions are open game since he himself has used the problem for humorous purposes on his show. The way Jay went about it in this article is inapropriate, but I would not put the topic in the category of untouchable. Hey, these guys joke about everything-death and murder to crotch pops-and usually do it much more tastefully. I am even more happy today to see that Conan is moving on and not just so much because I would rather see Jay on the Tonight Show but more so, now, so that hopefully, these guys get off this topic and get back to making jokes about the politicians and stupid criminals and the many other social gaffes. I look forward to Conan going to FOX, and maybe even at 11 o'clock, so that I can get more jokes in before I turn my light out at night and go to sleep with a smile on face and a chuckle in my heart and leave all this negativity behind.

By Elaine

I am a huge Jay Leno fan and I think Letterman should give this situation a rest He has been knocking Jay for weeks now and I am glad that Jay finally gave him a little jab. Dave has skeletons in his closet and has some nerve to put down a class act like Jay Leno.

By patster

Letterman appears as a decrepid old Man trying to hang on to his manhood by extorting employees into affairs.
Why Leno would want to associate himeself with the dirt bag is beyond me.
Jay, you are a classy guy, don't associate with dirt.

By jackie watford

well, we could all solve this and just watch nightline. ABC says it's number one in the ratings anyway!! lol....

By carol

Why anyone watches either show is a mystery to me. Turn off the boobtube and read a book! You might learn something worth remembering.

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