Jay Leno to Take on Letterman in NYC Showdown

By Rob Shuter Posted Mar 2nd 2010 02:00AM

After the brouhaha over Jay Leno's 'Tonight Show' takeover, don't expect the reinstated king of late night to rest on his laurels. Now that Leno's back in his old time slot, we hear he's gunning for a battle with Letterman -- and he has his eyes set on Dave's home of New York City. Leno-Letterman scoop, plus details on Marie Osmond and more after the jump!

Leno Takes Manhattan

Jay Leno is back behind the desk at 'The Tonight Show' and he'll do whatever it takes to keep his reclaimed seat -- even if that means going toe-to-toe with Letterman in the Big Apple. "Jay and NBC are talking about bringing 'The Tonight Show' to New York for a week. Similar to what Oprah did when she brought her show to New York," a TV insider tells me. "New York has an energy and buzz about it that LA simply doesn't have."

Although nothing has been set in stone, sources tell me Jay would like nothing better than beating Dave on his rival's home turf. And if the battle for the number one late night show doesn't end in Jay's favor, we'd still love to see a good, old-fashioned dance-off in the big city -- West Side Story-style!

A Leno spokesperson told me in an e-mail: "As of now, no plans to bring show to NYC."

Marie Osmond Pushed Toward Vegas

Marie Osmond has kept a low profile since the tragic passing of her son Michael. Now, friends are encouraging the singer to return to her Las Vegas show -- for therapeutic purposes. "Being on stage, surrounded by love, is exactly what Marie needs right now. It will take her mind of all the awful questions going round and round in her head," a source tells me. "It's not about money, it's simply about keeping busy as a form of therapy."

I say: take your time, Marie. Do what your heart tells you. Vegas will welcome you back with open arms whenever you're ready.

Naughty Chefs Need Love Too

Any reporter could ask Rocco DiSpirito for advice on wine pairings, but I was more interested in his thoughts on dessert. I caught the handsome celebrity chef by surprise at the Food Network South Beach Food and Wine festival last weekend when I asked him what chef he would most like to see naked. Rocco was ready with an answer: "The Food Networks Sandra Lee," he told me, "to see if she is really semi-homemade!"

The always-bubbly Rachael Ray screamed with laughter when I asked her the same question . She answered with a blush, "None of them. Ewwwww. They are all like my brothers."

Only chefs Michael White and Mark Fuller had a total sense of humor failure, telling me through their publicist, "We do not have anything to contribute." Let's hope their food has more personality!

Tags: Dave Letterman, david letterman, jay leno, tonight show

Comments

(13)

Tuesday 02 March

By TR

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Glad to see Leno back....Was disappointed that he turned down the request from the guys from The Buried Life...All they asked is to tell on joke on Late night TV and Conan,Kimmel,Letterman & Leno turned them down, How cold is that...Sorry guys, You should call Craig Ferguson..He is cool I sure he would love to have you on his show.

By spikedncNYC

Hey Jay, stay in L.A.

By TATRODDER

Hell yeah!! I'd watch a dance off between Jay & Dave. Now that's "Must see TV!" KICK IT BOOYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

By WILL

JAY IS THE KING OF LA

By ROb shuter

I THINK JAY SHOULD STAY IN LA

By junesongprovider

Leno's notion of "beating Dave on his own turf" is pretty unfair.

If Leno does a week in NYC, it is a special event. If Letterman does a week in NYC, it's every week. I know that whenever Conan did a week of Late Night in Chicago or Toronto, I would make absolute sure to tune in. I was much more likely to miss a show or two when he was in NYC like always.

Leno in NYC is a gimmick likely to draw more viewers. Letterman in NYC is normal. The two truly going head-to-head is every night when Leno is in LA and Letterman is in NYC.

By Andi

Kinck his butt Jay!

Wednesday 03 March

By Wish Belkin

"a TV insider tells me." They're going to New York.
"A Leno spokesperson told me" They're not going to New York.

Gosh, this guy is never wrong!

Friday 05 March

By Stella

Leno has more viewers than dave because he is a kiss-ass. Republicans love their lap dog.

Wednesday 10 March

By Bug

If Osmond plays on her adopted son's death to make a buck I'll know my vile impression of the Osmonds was correct all along.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LOVE OF MONEY AND FAME AND WITH THE OSMONDS, IT'S FACETIME ON TV I THINK. SUCKS

Wednesday 17 March

By Mary Bear

A fan of Jay Leno Tonight show since the beginning, I would miss tuning in for Jay as I kept forgetting he was on at 10 pm, but am so happy he is back at 11:35 pm as I fine both Dave and Conan boring.

By vickie

I think its time Dave Lettermen & Jimmy Kimmel grow up!! They must be really jealous of Jay Leno! They act like high-school kids!! GROW UP!

Tuesday 27 April

By KJ

Jay is the Best. King of late nite anywhere. Letterman is just in it for the money. Jay does it cause he loves it. It is in his veins. Work Work Work and make people laugh... Great Job Jay and sooooooooooo glad you are back where you are suppose to be.

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