Jay Leno Dishes on Conan, NBC, And Ratings
By Krystal Clark
Jay Leno appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” Thursday afternoon to discuss the much talked about NBC late-night debacle. Over the past month he and Conan O’Brien have been at the center of a major media frenzy that’s caused much of the country to take sides. When he spoke to Winfrey in a sit down interview, his attempt to gain sympathy from viewers may have fallen on deaf ears…
If there was one thing that Jay Leno blamed for the current late night shuffle it would be the ratings. That was his whole argument during yesterday’s show. The words “numbers” and “show business” popped up multiple times as his reason for why both his and Conan’s shows failed with audiences. He also stated that he had no idea that NBC would offer him “The Tonight Show” again once O’Brien decided to walk away from the 12:05 time slot they pitched.
Leno feels as if he’s been painted as a villain in this scenario, who appears selfish for taking back a program he promised someone five years prior. According to him, the reason he decided to do the 10 o’clock show and “The Tonight Show” AGAIN was mainly because of his staff.
“You say to the 170 people who work here, ‘Listen, I don’t want to get my reputation ruined, I don’t want anyone talking bad about me. I’ve got enough money. You people can all fend for yourself.’ That’s… the selfish thing to do.”
That’s interesting considering the fact that thousands of people lost their jobs when all those primetime dramas were wiped out for his show. Oprah brought up the irony of that statement and Leno replied with, “I wasn’t thinking about that at the time.” We’re sure you weren’t Jay.
A lot of his interview came off as cold and nonchalant, which in no way made me feel for his case. When “The Tonight Show” returns in March with Leno at the helm, I’m not sure he’ll have the same numbers as before. There’s a bad part of him that’s been exposed to the general public that has changed his image forever.
Did you watch the Oprah interview? Did you think Leno was genuine or cold?
Source: EW
Sunday, January 31, 2010 12:01AM
Jay is not the bad guy here! There are several things that smell foul to me and the odor isn't coming from Jay. It's coming from Jeff Zucker and Conan O'Brien. They were friends from college. Can anybody say "behind the scenes' deal?" Conan always wanted to be the host of "The Tonight Show." He/his people went to NBC in 2004 and demanded he replace #1 Jay. Who has the real ego problem? Jay was #1 with his lead in to Conan and Conan came in 3rd in the late-night wars behind Craig Ferguson. Jay was #1, Conan wasn't. For him to blame Jay shows a total lack of integrity. He simply does not have the wide appeal that Jay has. Conan bragged on one of his first shows that NBC told him he had to have a broader appeal, Conan basically said "In your face, NBC, I'm going to do what I want to do." NBC was right. Conan appeals to high school to college to those in their twenties. After that, he drops off in his appeal. That's not Jay's fault!
Sunday, January 31, 2010 12:06AM
It is obvious that Conan and his college friend Jeff Zucker made a lame behind the scene's deal in 2004 to dethrone Jay from his #1 slot. What kind of an ego does it take to do that? The stench from this mess is not coming from Jay, it is coming from Conan and his ego. He came in 3rd behind Craig Ferguson and then blames Jay for his failure. Jay was #1 and Conan came in last! What does that say? Conan appeals to few beyond high school, college and twenties. Jay has a broader appeal. He has already proved that. Conan is a sore loser!
Monday, February 1, 2010 2:36AM
You guys are way off base. Conan and Zucker may have went to school together but they were certainly NOT friends. Zucker worked for the school paper and Conan a lampoon magazine. As a prank Conan and a few co-conspiritors swiped the days papers before they could be issued.
Zucker ACTUALLY called the city police (not the campus police) and had Conan arrested and put in handcuffs.
They were rivals not friends.
It is more believable that Leno and Zucker got rid of Conan
Monday, February 1, 2010 12:21PM
The interview wasn't that good. Oprah kept asking the same questions. Jay is right though. It is all about ratings. Conan tried to push Jay out of the way in 2004. Now he is crying foul because he failed. Boo Hoo Hoo. Conan was happy to shove his way into a time slot that Jay was winning. I'm not a fan of either show but Conan lost his audience. He failed.
Monday, April 12, 2010 8:05AM
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