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 rb

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look like?I mean who cares, but the guys no pro anything..let hom go,he won't even be missed!

Thursday 18 February

By Tartan

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Obviously Deniuse Warner has an ax to grind and sure doesn't deal with facts or follow the news. Conant O'Brien was given an opportunity by Jay Leno because NBC wanted to try something new to bring in a larger audience at 10:00. Leno agreed and NBC NOT LENO changed the rules. If you think Kevin Eubanks is a buffoon, what do you think of Paul Schaferr (personality of a rock) and what about Ed McMahon? Conant O'Brien is a nice guy, but his humor is off the wall. David Letterman is an angry, narrow minded, narcisstic old (and UGLY) jerk.

By jjgg5

I'm sick of Jay Leno.

By Darvin

I must admit I'm a little sour with the whole Jay/Conan thing and am more than a little turned off by Jay, but what ever happened to unbiased press? The author attacks the issue with cynical remarks. Very unprofessional.

By Doug

Jay's usually cool, not stupid-silly ("stupid-silly," meaning, senseless, or lacking basic intelligence) like those other two clowns are. Jay may not always be right-on, but he's what most viewers like. He's got heart.

By Jim

Sorry that Kevin will leave, but it is time to change the Tonight show music performers/policy. Feature more music (great LA/OC studio/professional level musicians available) and put more variety/quality in the music. Kevin really never got a chance to solo (excellent musician) and highlight his band's talented members as Doc Severinson did (Jack Sheldon, Condoli brothers, Shelly Manne etc.) when Carson was the host.
I would like to see more of a jazz emphasis with various great musicians appearing in the LA/OC areas guesting and playing on the program.
I personally didn't care for Nolan and was not sorry to see him leave - hopefully Leno can bring back the lost audience, but if not maybe Jimmy Kimmel et al could do it. There also may be someone out there in the hinterlands (midwest etc.) who is able to handle the task. Carson was really not that well known when he took over the reins...no matter what happens it is basically a good format but needs a host that the desired demographic viewing audience can relate too. After all its a business and you have to attract viewers of all ages (not just the 20s crowd) to grab the ratings.

Jim

By henry

Leno has class...Letterman is an ass

By lilibethm

The writer of the above piece has a dog in the hunt. Jay will be fine. No problem getting a band for the tonight show. Letterman has no class and coco was stupid!

Big Coco fan wrote thats all!

By Katie

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Good guitar players are a dime a dozen. I know a hundred people that can play the guitar and sound good doing it. Jay will be fine without Kevin. I honestly didn't think he brought that much to the show.
As for blaming Jay or Conan, I honestly think it was NBC... I've always preferred Jay, and never really bothered much with Conan until he was on earlier. I gave him a chance, watched episodes here and there, and just didn't think he was that funny. I think it's odd how many people out there are claiming to be "Team Coco". If all these people had been WATCHING him, he wouldn't have been in the mess he was in. Jay all the way :)

By mvigi

Why is Jay Leno always being blamed? Look how many years of exposure Eubanks - an otherwise unknown - has gotten off of the Jay Leno show. Give me a break. What a bunch of cry babies. Let him leave and fade into oblivion.

By Kelly

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I never watched Leno, I refused to being that Carson was "Late Night" But I actually had hopes for Conan, he was actually very funny. What a shame that Leno did not seem to care that the 11:30 pm spot was filled already and he already had his shot and blew it. So once again I will refuse to watch the late night show.
Good Luck Conan

By personalityplus

Oh No!!!!! More Termoil for Jay Leno! OMG NBC you made a mistake keeping the wrong guy! NBC you can't turn back the clock now! Now your doomed!

By Bob

MO MONEY BRO>

By Mike

I actually like all three Jay, David & Conan they are all funny but in different ways. I don't know why everyone makes a big deal about the three and what happened. I'm sure NBC knew the drama they caused the three was going to have everyone talking and improve and three ratings which is whats happening now and what they wanted!

By Jeff

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Jay will still be a douche bag with or without kevin...

By billybob

this is not a blemish, this is a great break for leno! eubanks is not smart enough for leno, leno was always having stoop to eubanks level, making for a really awkward situation, simple minded jokes, clumsy sexual innuendo. eubanks has no wit, no sense of humor yet leno insisted on making him a partner in the show. Hopefully leno will take advantage of this and raise the intellect of his show to match his audience and not his side kick.

By rocknroller

Kevin Should stay on the Leno show just for a back up job. The career move he is seeking can be risky, it is a tough economy out there to try and sell records or even tour with the kinda music he plays. Although kevin probably has enough money to throw away and take a risk. Good luck

By pete

Conan is'nt funny he never was

By L

Take a hint Jay give it up YOU OLD HACK! God!

By Jan Wodehouse

This writer is so predjudiced its sickening. Jay is a nice guy and doesnt deserve to be put in this position. I will keep watching him. Letterman on the other hand is not a nice person..mean spirited bitter old man....and I am so sick of his Palin jokes...let it go...you were forced to apologize and you never got over it. Talk about lame bits..."will it float" dropping objects from the top floor...how juvenile. i dont see him bowing out and giving his spot to Conan. Go back to Montana.

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