David Letterman looked like "either Dinty Moore or Paul Bunyan's son." Or so recalls Jay Leno from his 1996 book on his first meeting with Letterman in 1975. It was a fateful encounter that formed an initial partnership and friendship. But now, in retrospect, it's a tragic relationship in which the repercussions from the fallout between the two are still being felt 35 years later, changing late night television forever. And, unknowingly, altering the fate of a then-12 year-old boy living in Brookline, Massachusetts -- Conan O'Brien. Letterman, on a January 19 episode of Late Show, referred to Jay Leno in a discussion about the current late night television battle as "vintage Jay." What does "vintage Jay" mean, and why does Letterman feel this way? Allow us to break down exactly why Jay and Dave have come to despise one another, both in real life and for our television enjoyment.
Letterman, not surprisingly, was never completely comfortable as a stand-up comic. His initial dream was never to host 'The Tonight Show.' What he wanted was to write for 'The Tonight Show' and his idol, Johnny Carson. In William Knoedelseder's fantastic account of the 1970's stand-up comedy scene, 'I'm Dying Up Here,' he recounts those initial early days of Leno and Letterman's friendship. Letterman was impressed with how comfortable Leno controlled the stage; in turn, Leno thought Letterman possessed the most original material on the comedy scene. The two were soon hired as a team by future husband and wife Jerry Kushnick and Helen Gorman (hold this thought) to write current 'Good Times' star Jimmie Walker 15 jokes a week.
On April 9, 1979, Letterman guest-hosted 'The Tonight Show' for his first time (Carson was hosting the Academy Awards that evening). This was 12 years before Carson would announce his retirement but, in Carson's mind, he had just appointed the next host of 'The Tonight Show.' Letterman would guest host the show 50 more times.
Letterman and Leno would remain friendly over the next few years. Leno would often be booked as a guest on 'Late Night with David Letterman' but, as far as anyone seemed to know, that was the extent of their friendship through the 1980s. In 1987, after Carson had a falling out with then-permanent guest host Joan Rivers, Leno was picked to replace her. This move never wavered Carson's feelings on Letterman's eventual role as the host.
As documented in Bill Carter's book, 'The Late Shift,' Leno's manager, Helen Kushnick (née Gorman; Letterman's former boss), made a power play for 'The Tonight Show' once Carson announced his retirement. An extremely loyal Letterman desperately wanted the show, but would never go behind his friend Leno's back. Leno had no problem making secret deals and, influenced by Kushnick (who was so unpopular, Leno soon had to fire her), proceeded. NBC had their reservations about the lanky, off-beat, quirky comedian hosting his show in New York (sound familiar?) and eventually decided Leno would make the extra effort to make the affiliates happy -- something Letterman had really no interest in doing -- and Leno positioned himself with the network brass as the heir apparent. So, in 1992, with no mention of Carson on his first show, Leno became the host of 'The Tonight Show.' Letterman and Leno would never speak again.
Carson became a deeply private person, granting only two interviews between leaving 'The Tonight Show' and his death in 2004. It's telling Carson never appeared on Leno's show, but his last television appearance was a walk-on appearance on Letterman's competing CBS show, 'Late Show with David Letterman.'
If there's any wonder why, in 2010, it appeared that so many in the industry sided with Conan in this latest late night mess: It's true Leno made his corporate bosses happy -- ratings were sky high -- but this wasn't the case with his fellow comics. Again, as Knoedelseder accounts, Carson was famous for using his 'Tonight Show' platform to launch the career of young comics; Letterman continued this tradition, and Leno did not -- stating the network "didn't think they drew numbers." This didn't endear Leno to the fellow comics he rose through the ranks with, as well as new comics that never had a chance of being on this new incarnation of 'The Tonight Show.' Leno had a history as the guy that conceded to make everyone happy as far back as the late 1970s comics' strike versus The Comedy Store (the basis of Knoedelseder's book). Leno, who was the first comic to voice his displeasure with the lack of pay, was known as sympathetic to owner Mitzi Shore (Yes, Pauly's mother); he was the "let's just make her happy," voice of the group. This was a strike Letterman gave his full support to, even picketing outside The Comedy Store the very same night after he hosted The Tonight Show' for the first time.
It's not surprising that Letterman can see "vintage Jay" repeating and it's even less surprising he would jump to the defense of O'Brien. It should be noted that when the story of Letterman's workplace infidelity broke, Conan refrained from making any jokes about the incident while Leno had a field day. Letterman's full quote during a taping of 'The Late Show' on Jan 19 is telling, "I've known Jay Leno for, what? Thirty Five Years? A long, long time. We used to buddy around in the old days and what we're seeing now is vintage Jay. And it's enjoyable for me to see this. It's like, 'hey, there he is; there's the guy I know.'" Considering Leno returns head-to-head versus Letterman in March, this fight is nowhere near over -- only Letterman's no longer pulling his punches... vintage Jay or not.
Good article. I remember when all transpired with Johnny Carson/Dave/ and Jay. Dave did get screwed and he does have the right to say, "it's all vintage Jay." It's just the truth. So, life goes on and people are who they are-some have class and integrity and others, well, are Jay Leno!
It is bizarre to me that people knowing Leno's pattern of behavior, of manipulation and back stabbing, continue to support him. Jay Leno is not funny and he is not the nice guy he pretends to be. Johnny Carson wanted Letterman to have the Tonight Show. Then Jay gave the Tonight Show to Conan only to force himself back into the host seat and destroy Conan's dream of being the host. It is just shameful. The Tonight Show has been forever tarnished. Jay Leno has personally destroyed it's legacy.
Who remembers Jonny carson's Tonite show? It WAS Jonny's Tonite show but after 20 years isnt it Jay's Tonite show now? Obviously most people thought so too or Conan would have gotten better ratings. How is it jays fault Conan got fired? He did it to himself, but jays no fool he took what he was offered. That's not mean, that's smart.
No, what is funny is that youNicole) think you know what happened. Really you were involved in what those dealings. I have no clue what happened, all I know (my opinion) is I rather watch Leno than Jay. But I find it quite disturbing that people will sit here and give an opinion as if they had any clue who either Jay or Leno are as people.
And how hypocritical that Jay Leno did a so called "heartfelt" tribute to Johnny Carson when he died in January 2005, but never even mentioned him before when he took over the Tonight Show that Monday in May 1992.
Letterman is a mean person. Jay Leno went out of his way to help a friend of mine Big Time. My friend never asked for help, Jay just did it because he's a good person.
Letterman went out of his way to help Leno! When Leno's career was in a serious slump and he could no longer get booked anywhere on TV including the Tonight Show. Dave put him on his Late Night show as a regular guest. And those appearances got Leno the guest hosting gig on Carson. So Leno would have never got the Tonight Show if not for Letterman! That is a fact.
David Letterman has totally lost his mind. His show always was pretty lame and since he has started attacking Sarah Palin's children, I can't stand him.
As opposed to Dave doing the same "balloon boy" jokes over and over. That's just what the "ballon boy's" family wanted- publicity and Dave continued to provide them with it, when it SHOULD have just died out.
It all boils down to money. The network and affiliates know that Jay brings in both the ratings and hence the dollars. Bottom line: both Jay and Dave are multi-millionaires so I wouldn't shed a tear for either of them !! Just watch and enjoy whoever you like...
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Good article. I remember when all transpired with Johnny Carson/Dave/ and Jay. Dave did get screwed and he does have the right to say, "it's all vintage Jay." It's just the truth. So, life goes on and people are who they are-some have class and integrity and others, well, are Jay Leno!
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I agree I am so tired of him pretending to be this nice guy, if he was so nice then why didnt he retire..
jay is likeable. david is ascerbic and smug
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Annoying too! Can't stand that stupid laugh of his.
It is bizarre to me that people knowing Leno's pattern of behavior, of manipulation and back stabbing, continue to support him. Jay Leno is not funny and he is not the nice guy he pretends to be. Johnny Carson wanted Letterman to have the Tonight Show. Then Jay gave the Tonight Show to Conan only to force himself back into the host seat and destroy Conan's dream of being the host. It is just shameful. The Tonight Show has been forever tarnished. Jay Leno has personally destroyed it's legacy.
Reply
Who remembers Jonny carson's Tonite show? It WAS Jonny's Tonite show but after 20 years isnt it Jay's Tonite show now? Obviously most people thought so too or Conan would have gotten better ratings. How is it jays fault Conan got fired? He did it to himself, but jays no fool he took what he was offered. That's not mean, that's smart.
No, what is funny is that youNicole) think you know what happened. Really you were involved in what those dealings. I have no clue what happened, all I know (my opinion) is I rather watch Leno than Jay. But I find it quite disturbing that people will sit here and give an opinion as if they had any clue who either Jay or Leno are as people.
And how hypocritical that Jay Leno did a so called "heartfelt" tribute to Johnny Carson when he died in January 2005, but never even mentioned him before when he took over the Tonight Show that Monday in May 1992.
Reply
Letterman is a mean person. Jay Leno went out of his way to help a friend of mine Big Time. My friend never asked for help, Jay just did it because he's a good person.
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Just because Leno did something for someone else, why does that make Letterman a mean person?? You're an idiot!
Letterman went out of his way to help Leno! When Leno's career was in a serious slump and he could no longer get booked anywhere on TV including the Tonight Show. Dave put him on his Late Night show as a regular guest. And those appearances got Leno the guest hosting gig on Carson. So Leno would have never got the Tonight Show if not for Letterman! That is a fact.
Jay Leno is a jerk.
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And Mark, you are a typical Republipuke, bringing politics into something that has nothing to do with it.
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thank you!
Gary - I'm sure your mother told you thatname calling belittles you, not the other person
David Letterman has totally lost his mind. His show always was pretty lame and since he has started attacking Sarah Palin's children, I can't stand him.
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Jay has more class than Letterman will ever have.
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I quit watching Leno back in the 90's when he told the same Clinton joke for 6 years straight. Leno's just not that funny.
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As opposed to Dave doing the same "balloon boy" jokes over and over. That's just what the "ballon boy's" family wanted- publicity and Dave continued to provide them with it, when it SHOULD have just died out.
It all boils down to money. The network and affiliates know that Jay brings in both the ratings and hence the dollars. Bottom line: both Jay and Dave are multi-millionaires so I wouldn't shed a tear for either of them !! Just watch and enjoy whoever you like...
Reply