What Is Behind Kevin Eubanks' Split From Jay Leno?

By Denise Warner Posted Feb 17th 2010 10:00AM

Kevin Eubanks plans to part ways from Jay Leno. But why does he want to quit now? Is it because of the ratings struggle that left Conan O'Brien out of a job and killed Leno's image?

Eubanks has been with Leno since 1992 and has led the band -- first 'The Tonight Show' band and then the Primetime Band when Jay moved to the short-lived 10 PM show -- since 1995.

Although the jazz guitarist plans to return with Leno to 'The Tonight Show' on March 1, he ultimately wants to leave the series. "Kevin has expressed interest in pursuing personal touring and recording opportunities," an NBC source told Inside TV.

We don't really believe this. In his wishes, Eubanks sounds like a politician -- he needs "a change," so he's moving on. But like a politician, in most matters, Eubanks must have an ulterior motive.

When Conan O'Brien took over 'The Tonight Show' in 2009, Jay Leno moved to primetime with 'The Jay Leno Show.' But bad ratings from both O'Brien and Leno lead NBC to cancel Jay's show and announce they were moving Leno back to 11:35, pushing Conan's 'Tonight' to 12:05 AM.

Unhappy with the turn of events, O'Brien negotiated a deal to exit the network, lambasting Leno along the way. "And I just want to say to the kids out there watching -- you can do anything you want in life, unless Jay Leno wants to do it too," Conan said during one of his last monologues.

Everyone turned on Leno -- from critics to his peers alike, blaming the funnyman for ousting O'Brien, even though NBC pulled the strings. Perhaps Eubanks doesn't want to be associated with Jay now that he is a television pariah.

Kevin may want to stay away from Leno, since he looks like the bad guy who left poor, defenseless Coco out of a job. Perhaps the bandleader fears a waning audience and ultimate cancellation, leaving him looking for work. This way, he goes out on his own terms.

Max Weinberg, O'Brien's bandleader, often tours with Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band and has arranged to work both jobs. Even when Weinberg uprooted to the West Coast, his schedule was organized so that he could make as many dates as possible -- with his son taking over on drums for Springsteen when he couldn't.

If Eubanks' only goal was to tour and record, couldn't a similar arrangement be made if he wanted to stick with Jay? In a word? Yes.

Furthermore, the musician has put out 12 albums since 1992, all while presumably being employed with Leno. Eubanks has also appeared on other TV shows and gone on tour during his 'Tonight Show' tenure. Therefore, we must assume he wants out because he no longer wants to be the sidekick to the "evil" Leno -- not simply to pursue other opportunities.

Eubanks probably no longer wants to be known as "the guy with the guitar who laughs at everything," as he was dubbed by David Letterman during the recent late night struggle. Maybe he's just sick of being lumped in with Leno.

And what will Jay do next? It seems that no one would want to be associated with Leno's bad karma, which could leave him without a bandleader. (And without anyone to laugh at his sometimes stale monologues -- as Kevin could always be counted on to do.)

Of course, Leno could always steal The Roots from Jimmy Fallon. Problem solved.

Tags: conan obrien, david letterman, jay leno, kevin eubanks

Comments

(357)

Wednesday 17 February

By Graham Cracker Billy

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Great pay but it's not a real job!Struming a couple of chords during break and an occational nod to Jay Leno? What's that? FIRST......YEAH BOYZZZZZZZZ! UH UH UH WHAT'S THAT?

By MICKEY

Good Riddance Kevin Eubanks. I hate it when people are spoiled and can't be satisfied with a great job because of their ego. There are a lot more deserving people for this opportunity than you. You are a spoiled brat and nobody will give a damn when the screen door hits you in the ass on the way out. YOU DID TWELVE ALBUMS??? SORRY, NEVER EVEN KNEW THAT. MUST NOT HAVE IMPRESSED ANYONE.

By Jim

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Perhaps it's simpler than all this: Maybe the guy wants more money.

By King David

IF, IF, IF... all this moron "author" did was INTRODUCE SPECULATION, HEARSAY, AND CONJECTURE -- IN OTHER WORDS, BUL LSH IT!!!! IF my aunt had balls she would be my uncle!!! Does this moronic "author" get paid for this crap????? As far as any possible issue with Conhead being the "good guy" take a look at HIS ARROGANCE, TELLING ALL WHO WOULD HEAR, THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO HURT THE TONIGHT SHOW BY MOVING TO 12:05!!! WHAT AN ARROGANT ASS!!! And remember this, it was CONHEAD who TRIED TO PUSH LENO OUT BY CRYING FOR A SHOT AT THE TONIGHT SHOW and some stupid assed "executive" thought it would be a good idea to keep the jerk while still juggling Leno. IT WAS LENO WHO WAS THE GOOD GUY BY EVEN CONSIDERING THE MOVE -- HE COULD HAVE JUST SAID "TOUGH, LET THE NON-TALENTED IDIOT GO", but he didn't!! And if there is any fact to this pile of crap, that Kevin is going away, then say: "ADIOS BABY" and watch another person shoot themself in the foot (remember McClean Steavenson from M.A.S.H., or Jimmy Smits from NYPD - just to name two???). So, IF this idiot has any value in the pile of crap that she has produced then watch how fast it will take to replace Kevin -- about as long as it takes for water to fill the hole that you leave when you pull your finger out of a bucket of water.

By GB

Who the hell cares what your writer thinks is the reason he is leaving???

By Kenny

"Cracker Billy" - Get some milk for dem' grahmas you got and think about this - "a big check" for doin' just what you stated" !!!
Gimme that gig I say !!!

Jersey

By bob

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graham cracker billy
they also play for a half hour before and after air time
and during breaks. so shut up stupid cracker.

By wolfman

I'll bet james would love to have Leno's sack brushing his chin!

By wolf

hey leroy...you changed your name but your same lameness is recognizable...

By Bob

Kevin leaving means nothing. Jay is a star and Kevin is an okay artist at best

By waxman

Run Kevin run!! You had the hardest job on that show...faking a laugh at all those Leno jokes!!

By BigTinyLittle

Right on Wax. Rarely watched Leno but the funniest part of that show was watching Kevin giving his best phony laugh after those lame high school jokes. Must have been written in his contract.

By kla

A " Star" have you ever heard of a fallen star? well if not you are about to see one

By non ya business

jay lenno is a needle chin ego maniac and is not now nor will he ever will be funny....funny looking yes, but that's about all...

By intexa2

Totally agree. The Tonight Show has given several folks their kick up the ladder - Eubanks was one. Eubanks never impressed me. Marsalis did. I am quite sure there is a GREAT bandleader out there who will jump at the chance.

But why dis on Leno? Piling on when it wasn't Leno's doings. Blame fumbling NBC executives. Whoever will be the bandleader will likely be remembered longer than Eubanks on his own.

By Jaze

Jay is a star?!

By DENISE

we are the world was recorded in 1985. my children have never heard or seen it. i thought it was great that it was redone. and michael was still apart of it..

By Nancy

And this has what exactly to do with Jay Leno and Kevin Eubanks?

By Badboy

Leno sux no matter who he has.

Sunday 28 March

By harry

you must be a peewee herman fan. (conhan)

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