New Jay Leno Ad Takes a Dig at Conan

By Mike Hess Posted Feb 19th 2010 08:06AM

With all of the damage done by the late-night wars that eventually led to Conan O'Brien's ouster and Jay Leno reclaiming the 'Tonight Show' gig once again, you'd think that subtlety and good-guy cheer would be the way to go for NBC and Jay as they try to wash their hands of the mess. Not so much. In a new commercial for the return of Leno to 'Tonight,' they clearly use the ad not just as a reminder that Jay's back at a new time after the Olympics, but to claim that Conan never belonged there in the first place.

In the commercial, Leno is seen driving down California's glorious Pacific Coast Highway in a Shelby Cobra. Leno, a classic car enthusiast, is seen tearing down the highway with a "10" decal on the side of the car, alluding to his old and failed time slot. After a quick smile, Leno shifts gears in the car, and the "10" decal flies off to reveal one that says "11:35."

That's not so bad, right? Well, the real stinger is in the soundtrack.

During the ad, Leno is coasting to the Beatles tune 'Get Back,' which just as the time changes on the car's decals declares "Get back to where you once belonged."

So, is NBC saying that Conan never deserved the seat they gave him and then took away? Keep in mind, Conan can't say anything -- disparaging or not -- about NBC and his fallout with the network until September thanks to his $45 million settlement.

So, as Leno readies for his March re-debut, we just hope he and NBC can keep things classy and not resort to beating a dead, red-headed horse.

Tags: jay leno

Comments

(166)

Friday 19 February

By DwDunphy

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I think the writer is overreaching here. Far be it for me to defend Leno (God knows I catch hell whenever I do) but the constant critical drumbeat against The Leno Show was that it was a late-night show pretending to be primetime.

If anything, this is less about sticking it to Team Coco and more about pandering to the critics by openly agreeing with them.

By mary b

I saw the add the other night and I loved it. I did not think of Conan at all. Why would I? Not everything is done to "stab someone else in the back". Get over it people. Jay loves cars, he lives on the pacific coast, he's enjoying life,end of story. It's a great way to promoate Jay Leno and his show.

By jpmcglynn

I agree... they're trying to make an issue out of nothing. Although I'm not sure about the timing of the ad (the wounds are still a bit sore), I thought it was a very clever play off of the original adver that showed Jay moving to 10. I don' think there is anything anti-Coco about it.

By lita

I agree with you whole-heartedly. This is just an attempt by the author to keep a battle going when it all should just be laid to rest. Leno is not the villain here. It is, and always has been, NBC.

By Jim

Let me see here, Tiger's behavior is okay because he owes no one anything, all men cheat, etc. Leno's behavior is terrible because he performs better than Coco and NBC (who is paying the bills) made a choice. Got it. This is one screwed up place, ya know?

Sunday 21 February

By Mrs. Hooter

I agree ... the writer should quit trying to find a "story" where there is none. Let it go and quit trying to dredge up a headline.

By laine

Mike Hess, get a life! If this is the case, every ad on television would be pulled for something that is read into it.

By George

One can just as easily accept the lyrics as telling Leno to "Get Back To Where HE Once Belonged", which was 11:35 PM. That makes a lot more sense than a ridiculous slap at O'Brien.

By Mike

Absolutely right, George. And believe me, I am NOT a Leno fan at all. But it's totally true that Leno ONCE belonged at 11:35! This writer, Mike Hess, is really reaching here. Desperation for sensational "journalism". Weak, pathetic....try another career, Hess.

By www.batsale.com

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i like it...he looks like very ...Amen

By George Lopez the biggest racist on t.v.

George Lopez the biggest racist ON T.V. BOYCOTT TBS TILL THEY CANCEL THE SHOW....

By BothPartiesSuck

Agreed. George Lopez SUCKS.

By BTDT

You're right, but what has it got to do with Leno?

By o

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so it sounds like you feel the treatment minority people have endured for over 200 years or more,not very nice,is it?...

By Mark

I agree George Lopez is racist. It's ashame he can be funny at times. Why does everything have to be white/Black/Brown/Yellow we are all the same inside, his racism just insites the young and weak minded.

By jantuoferm

YOU ARE SOOOO RIGHT!!!!!

By outlawsgun

CONAN WAS AND IS FUNNIER THAN JAY LENO WILL EVER BE. THE ONLY THING SUPER ABOUT JAY IS THE SIZE OF HIS CHIN AND HIS EGO.

Saturday 20 February

By jmwhitmore

Hahahaha....obviously, no one agrees with you. Not NBC, not people who watch TV at 11:35 and not me.

By Elgineo

I don't think this ad was meant as a dig against Conan, but it's also just not funny. Maybe a bit smug, but not remotely funny. Which seems to be par for the course with Jay.

By Scp

Conan O'Brien never belonged on the Tonight Show. He never had the ratings in that spot that Jay Leno had. People only watched him when he followed Jay Leno. If he had moved his show just one half of an hour as he was first asked, none of this nonsense would have happened. He would have once again followed Jay Leno and his ratings would have been better. Conan had to be a cry baby, so now he has no job. I doubt he will show up anywhere anytime soon. He is a non-funny childish loser.

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