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 jackiemorr

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HUH? Obviously the wrong You Tube ad...and obviously no one edits these stories. BOOHOO, Conan got mega millions to NOT work on the Tonight Show ! I wish someone would give me that option ! :)

By nebraskafan79

Give me a break. The ratings decided it. People watch Leno. People didn't watch Conan.

IF Conan was so great, where were you when he needed you?

By lita

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You that is exactly it, I just dont understand if all these people loved Conan why were his rating so low. HUM, makes you think. People get a life you dont like Leno. DONT WATCH IT.

By Sinnycal

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That's such a simple-minded analysis. Even Jay Leno didn't get Jay Leno numbers when he first started hosting. It takes time to build an audience. Letterman beat Leno for the first 18 months they went head-to-head. Leno only started to take a consistent lead when Must-See-TV of the 90's turned NBC into the #1 overall network. His lead-ins where ratings juggernauts, he was on the top network, and subsequently he won the late night war. Conan, meanwhile, took over the show at a time when NBC was already the last place network, and they hurt his lead-in even further by inserting the ratings black hole that was The Jay Leno Show in primetime. They dug a hole for him and then gave him nowhere near a fair amount of time to climb out of it.

Sunday 21 February

By Gabby

You do realize no one was watching Leno's show, that's why this whole thing happened. Leno's show bombed and then NBC continued to kiss his ass and tried keeping him around. You have to remember LENO'S SHOW GOT CANCELLED NOT CONAN'S!!!!! Conan just refused to agree to yet another terrible idea by NBC

By semadsen

You are really reaching here, Mr Hess, I highly doubt anyone will think that was a dig at Conan.

By kyle76066

Ummmmm, it's just TV.
It's not real, and most of them are not real people.

By backwaterbandit

recently i watched dom deluise doing his egg trick on the johnny carson tonite show. this was humor. this was funny. these were people there to make you feel good. leno needs to look back at what the tonite show once was, then quit.

By gordie

Jay Leno - biggest blow hard of the century. Makes you sick to see the idiots who talk crap make millions. They do not even write the material they use.

By Jeannie

I liked Conan and Jay. I think it was just business and can't blame Jay for it. Conan walks away with a pile of money so I'm not worried that he won't be able to feed his family. I think Jay will return and kick Dave's butt. I used to like Dave but the past few years I've quit watching him. Jay's show moves and Dave's drags; I keep thinking "Get on with it, Dave!" that's not funny.

By Diane

What is interesting is Conan was the thief who took Leno's job, but Leno is made out to be the bad guy... just an observation.

By Margaret Studer

How could Conan possibly steal Leno's job. That's just stupid. The network asked Leno if he wanted to do it and he said yes. Conan has been promised the spot would be his for five years. Jay's choice also. So how did Conan steal anything?

By sherri

MUST WE GO BACK TO THIS AGAIN......

By patti

In my opinion, with Jay Leno and NBC continuing this harrassment of Conan shows their character. NBC is probably still sulking over the amount of money it cost them and (probably wouldn't have cost that much if they weren't wrong in what they did to him). And for Jay, his ego got in the way of his humility if he has any left.Shame, shame

By Dave Jennings

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Thank CBS that we still have Letterman. Nuff said

By Ron

To Mike Hess: What's wrong with you? Why are you trying to make Leno look bad? There is absolutely nothing in that ad against Conan. It is actually more clever than most ads.

By CatWoman

I like it. It is creative. It is original. And it is harmless. I never liked Conan and never will. He wasn't funny at all. His humor lies within the boundaries of the egg where it hatches laughing. NOT FUNNY GRAMS. LAY OFF THE CHILDREN. AND I'M NOT A TV GIRL. BUT I SURE CAN SWADDLE WITH LENO. NOW LETS SEE IF THIS ONE GETS POSTED. LOL==> HAHAHAHAHAH

By CindyTink

Leno is a selfish jerk.

By Kelly

I didn't get the ad either. Just meant he's going back to his old time. Leno did deserve the night show. He filled in for Johnny Carson whenever he needed time off...which towards the end there was all the time. It was only logical to give it to Leno. Leno never should have been ousted. Johnny had it all those years and Leno should have it until he retires too. Conan never deserved it. I tried watching his show a few times and all I seen was him interupting his guests trying to be funny. I love Jay!

By Cindy

Wasn't it Letterman who filled in for Johnny during his time off? I understood that Letterman was Carson's choice for a replacement, just not the network's choice.

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