Jay Leno Speaks Glowingly of His 'Old Friend' Dave

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 9th 2010 10:30AM

Whatever hard feelings exist between Jay Leno and David Letterman melted away last Tuesday when the two old friends -- plus Oprah Winfrey -- gathered in New York to shoot a much buzzed-about Super Bowl commercial. Both comedians talked about the ad on their respective shows Monday night, but it was Leno who spoke on a personal level about the meeting.

At his desk, Leno described walking into Letterman's office at the Ed Sullivan Theater: "I see Dave and he puts his hand out and we shake hands ... and you know, whatever happened in the last 18 years disappeared. It was great to see my old friend again." Letterman talked about the encounter as well, but instead cracked wise about "the actors" that played Leno and Winfrey. Watch:

The ad, which was a reprise of a 2007 ad that Letterman did with Winfrey, was meant to poke fun at the recent tension between Jay and Dave sparked by the 'Tonight Show' battle that eventually led to Conan O'Brien leaving NBC.

In the commercial, a disgruntled Letterman declares that he's at "the worst Super Bowl party ever." Seconds later, the camera pans away to reveal Leno, who admits that Dave "is just saying that because I'm here."

According to Rob Burnett, who produces Dave's 'Late Show,' it was all Letterman's idea.

"Dave had this idea, 'What about getting Jay and Oprah together with me?' and he wrote it," Burnett explained in an interview with the Associated Press Sunday night. "We said, 'This is too funny to pass up.' First we called Oprah."

Arrangements were quickly made for Leno and Winfrey to fly to New York, and much detail was given to getting them inside the Ed Sullivan Theater unnoticed. Filming took place last Tuesday. Leno arrived while Letterman was taping his show. He was disguised in a hooded sweatshirt, dark glasses and a fake mustache. No joke. Filming took less than a half-hour, Burnett said.

Burnett told The Wrap that Conan O'Brien was initially thought about when conceiving the ad. But alas, the timing wasn't right for a Jay-Dave-Conan summit, and it never got off the ground.

Letterman and Leno have had a tumultuous relationship for decades, but it was recently rekindled thanks to Leno's reclaiming of the 'Tonight Show' on NBC. In the days leading up to O'Brien's departure, Letterman ripped Leno on several occasions, calling his behavior that pushed Conan out "vintage Jay."

Strangely enough, the commercial is an ad for Letterman's show, which Leno will soon compete directly against once again when he returns to his 11:30 slot following the Olympics.

Tags: david letterman, jay leno

Comments

(30)

Tuesday 09 February

By ThinkAboutIt

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Think about a little over five years ago. Who was it that insisted on taking over the Tonight Show without considering the fact that Jay might not want to give up his show. Who was it that threatened NBC they would leave if he did not get what he wanted? I would think those two, NBC and yes, Conan have a huge responsibility for the debaucle that is going on now with the Tonight Show. Jay has every right to keep the show. Ratings prove it. Letterman, try being a little nicer to your guests instead of trying to embarasse and humilate them, maybe that would improve your ratings. I don't watch your show because of all the put downs that you think get laughs but are just degrading to you and your guests.

Wednesday 10 February

By david

Vote down Vote up Report this

not a suprise. they go back as far as dave's 1980's daytime

shows.

By Toni

Its time for Jay to be the king again,if you all remember he had that time slot down pat for years,,I never liked Letterman.I think he put off people,and now he is just a dirty old man..Jay has always been a good guy..glad he is back where he belongs....

By Taryn

Wait a second. Jay Leno was new last night?

Friday 19 February

By JOANNA

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Leno, Letterman, Kimmel, Conon and...Oprah!
This whole thing is crap.
First they fight, point a finger at each other, and call one another names. Then the defend one another.
It's all a con game to boost their ratings.

Old shows... new show ...what ever.
I won't watch any of them anymore. I don't like being played.

By Kman

What would be so hard for Letterman and Lenno to be friendly, besides a few jabs here and there? It's Conan that should pull out a 9 and ventilate Lenno for being a no good SOB.

By Ericsons news

I agee with you.
The NBC is like a grave yard for older generation trying to mantain
that cementary.

By Blue

seeing those two getting along again makes me feel all warm and gooey

By ROCCO

...if only Coco was in the middle it would've made the iconic 'The Good The Bad and the Ugly'....LoL...btw, who was that lady in the middle anyway.

By jaguar02

That just validates Jay is the better person and Letterman is a pathetic angry mongrel with absolutely NO CLASS or humor.

Page 2 of 2