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 gobluespartyon

Vote down Vote up Report this

Then don't read and ignore the headlines. I didn't see this as mean spirited at all it's just the writers opinion. And I didn't see any gossipy meaniness either Andrea as you have claim which is a lie.

By Rich

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

What a load of biased BS...Why doesn't Popeater get off the dime and be honest enough to admit that they are squarely in the so called Team Coco camp and will take any opportunity to cheap shot Jay Leno, regardless of what the FACTS may be. Talk about sleaze.

Popeater has always been team Conan they even said it when Leno was going to make the move back to 11:35PM and moved Conan to 12:05AM. So there not being bias as you have claim which is a lie.

NBC is to blame for this whole mess they made Leno look like the bad guy which was wrong.

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Goblue...If Popeater has always been in the Team Coco camp as you said, then there IS a bias to their coverage and my original criticism stands. The only change according to you is that they are upfront about taking their cheap shots at Leno's expense.

By Spidey

For those of you having a hard time grasping the concept, the article is merely speculative. All they are saying is that the reasons Kevin gave for leaving the show didn't add up and they were just throwing out possible alternatives for the real reason. It wasn't written as fact based.

If NBC was resposible for making Jay out to be a bad guy, then he should've had the spine to stand up to them like Conan did and left NBC. The truth is, Jay's a maniplulative egomaniac who will step on whoever he has to to get his way, which is why he fits in so well with NBC executives.

p.s. All television stations, as well as their prgramming and news broadcasts are biased. Why would you think the internet is any different? It's called having an opinion. If you have a problem with the opinions of the information you're getting, get it somewhere else.

Spidey..You seem to know a great deal about the "truth" of who Jay Leno is. Does that make you a coworker, an employee, a spurned lover, what? Have you ever met the man, or is your"truth" the same kind of speculative opinion being presented as almost fact? The truth is you don't like Jay Leno. That is clear from your post. Why you don't like Jay Leno is anyone's guess and you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But as someone else observed recently, you are not entitled to your own facts.

By Amicable

The man being a musician he wants to play and record. If he can afford the change Go For It. What is wrong with that?

By mucci

i don't care about leno, but i remember Conan giving NBC an
ultimatum,either you give me leno spot,or i leave...so NBC told Leno ,...you have 5 years and then Conan will take over.
and that's what happened,only it did'nt work out and Leno goes back to HIS old job. it's Conan that took Leno job in the first place and could not keep it. don't blame Leno.

Saturday 06 March

By Jan

Mucci, I think we must be the only two people on the planet who know the truth about the situation. Leno NEVER wanted to leave the Tonite Show to begin with, but Conan was going to go to Fox & NBC didn't want that. They figured Jay would be too old to be relevant in 5 years & decided to give him the boot. STUPID. Now the story is being turned around, and shame on Conan for not correcting it. Too bad everyone against Leno didn't see Bill Maher on Larry King's show last nite. He explained it to perfection.

By Ron Wimer

The Tonight Show has never been the same since Johnny Carson. Jay did an ok job. But I NEVER heard of Conan before it was announced he would be taking over the tonight show. I personally can't stand his humor and have not watched the show since. As far as all these changes, LIFE GOES ON and nothing stays the same. Whatever happens, happens! Also would like to say as far as the management at NBC. A lot to be desired. poor job

By Bisbee15

Kevin's leaving is the best thing that could happen to the show!!! Kevin spoiled everyone of Jay's punch lines because he simply did not get the jokes. Then Jay had to stop and explain them to Kevin. The "pot smoking" stuff got very annoying. I'm sick of Kevin, but his female singer should stay! Go ahead, Kevin, and P U R S U E!

By Ruth

This article is nothing more than BS. Conan had his chance and he sucked, so he lost his job. NBC did the right thing of getting rid of someone that didn't live up to expectations.
Goodbye Conan, get a life.
Leno overshadows Conan and Jimmy Fallon, as for Eubanks that's nothing new, Doc Seversen left the tonight show too.

Leno will do just fine.

By Joe Willie

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Weinberg forever.... Jay Leno NEVER !

By Tracy Hill

I always thought Leno made Kevin look like a pot head, Run...Kevin...Run

By WILL

KEVIN IS VERY TALENTED AND FUNNY , BUT HE WILL NEVER FIND A GIG AS GOOD AS THIS.

Thursday 18 February

By peter998899

It's great to see the Leno lovers out there telling the real facts while the Leno haters continue to spew trash. Jay could have quit entirely, which would have made him look good, but his staff with no work. You Coco lovers need to realize that his show was going no matter what. The rating were down, and NBC was losing money. I feel bad for Coco's staff - they are the ones that got screwed. NBC owes them all jobs. If Jay had quit - I wonder who the next Tonight show host would have been. Care to guess? Coco was never going to survive. His humor is too offbeat and not appealing to the masses. It needed to change to appeal to the earlier (11:30/10:30) audience, not the later (11:30/12:30) audience.

By Laura

I guess Kevin got tired of being set-up as a pot-smoking druggy. Johnny Carson never wanted Jay Leno to replace him. He wanted Letterman. He must be smiling as Leno slowly vacates the Tonight Show.

By Dean

Kevin going is no big deal.He is just a bobblehead.Wears goofy hats,and laughts at almost everything , funny or not.

By jim forrester

Trying to make something out of nothing. I know Kevin. He has been wanting to hit the road on tour for sometime now. Being a musician, I can tell you the studio gigs begin to feel confining. Nothing like getting on tour. Go Kevin ! Lame article.

By sbhappe34

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Is kevin related to Bob Eubanks. He can read the writing on the wall, he is next to up jay jays ratings Jay loves himself so much there is no room for any one else.

Page 3 of 18