http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-07-16-leno-cover_N.htm

Although Conan O'Brien will take over The Tonight Show in 2009, Leno says he isn't ready to permanently trade his sports coat for mechanic's overalls.

"I am definitely done next year — with NBC," he says, sitting in a huge recliner in his poster-strewn shop office. Would he go to another network? Leno just smiles. "I'm not a beach guy, and the last time I was in my pool was to fix a light. Don't worry, I'll find a job somewhere."

In the meantime, he'll keep coming here in between the more than 160 stand-up dates he does each year. For Leno, Hollywood's gifts are fickle, but his automotive family — from his machines to the half-dozen mechanics who work for him — grounds him in a reality that recalls his New England roots.

I'm really going to miss him!!! :( Conan's great and all, but he's no Leno!!!
Leno's my favorite late night host!!!!

sad news. Leno is the only reason i watch NBC (him and Conan.) at least he's not giving up, tho.

I can't blame him for telling NBC to go to heck, hes given them fine ratings and yet, being pushed aside, in a way they never did to Johnny.

Conan's a little to silly for me. He'll never pull in the ratings Leno does. There was talk that he may end up at ABC. Anyone know anything about that?

Conan's a little to silly for me. He'll never pull in the ratings Leno does. There was talk that he may end up at ABC. Anyone know anything about that?

A recent article in Entertainment Weekly has speculated that ABC is thinking about grabbing Leno when his contract is up with NBC.

They also say that ABC would probably dump Nightline, move Jimmy Kimmel's Show back to 12:30 and put Jay's new show head to head with Conan at 11:30.

Kimmel has been heard saying over the last few days that pushing him back to make room for Jay isn't something he's very happy about.

Jimmy and Jay are friends. They both went on each other's shows during the strike. Jimmy is all for Jay coming to ABC, if it happens. And I really think Jay wants to come to ABC after that "Tonight Show on ABC" joke Leno did on Monday...he even said this could be the future.

Jimmy is happy. Why would he do the joke at the TCA press tour pretending to be a reporter and asking Steve McPherson if ABC is really courting Jay Leno, if he wasn't happy?

Honestly, the most likely scenario is Leno taking the 11:35pm half-hour, with Jimmy remaining in the 12:05am hour. Even if Jimmy slides to 12:35, he can beat Ferguson and the new Fallon show. Any talks of Leno coming to ABC will have Jimmy Kimmel in discussion. Jimmy is the future of late night as his show is the only show right now growing and getting buzz.

When exactly in 2009 is Jay done? The spring or fall??

I really hope he comes to ABC!!! Late night won't be the same without him!!!

When exactly in 2009 is Jay done? The spring or fall??
I think it's fall 2009. I love Jay!! I've been watching him since high school (over 12 years now) - and I feel NBC really gave him a bum deal. Here's to more Headlines and jokes after NBC!! :D

If Jay Lono comes to ABC I take he will take Jimmy Kimmel 11:05 pm Central Time Bumping Jimmy Kimmel Live at 12:07 am Central Time

I really hope he comes to ABC!!! Late night won't be the same without him!!!


Still can't believe GOOFY A$$ Conan is going to take over

I think Jay Leno is Leaveing sometime in May of 2009 Jay Leno took over The Tonight Show on Monday, May 25, 1992 at 10:35 pm

Still can't believe GOOFY A$$ Conan is going to take over
He maybe goofy ass, doesnt mean he doesnt RULE though

If Jay Lono comes to ABC I take he will take Jimmy Kimmel 11:05 pm Central Time Bumping Jimmy Kimmel Live at 12:07 am Central Time

That will not happen. It makes no sense. Jimmy Kimmel at 1:05am...not a good bet there. Please he is not Carson Daly...why else would he be at 1:35 lol?

I still don't understnad why Carson has a talk show, lol. It's just really bad. To bad Jimmy Kimmel didnt get asked to take over for Conan. Conan and Jimmy would've been awesome.

Out of curiousity, when does Letterman leave in 2010?

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i7d21992b375a28c6f40874ee5c9fdfc9

Late-night shake-up may affect 'Nightline'
Jay Leno's upcoming departure presents challenges
By Paul J. Gough

July 17, 2008, 09:23 PM ET

NEW YORK -- Nearly three years after it could have been dealt a fatal blow by the departure of Ted Koppel, ABC's "Nightline" has bucked the odds to not only survive but thrive. But with Jay Leno's departure set to shake up late-night TV, "Nightline" may be facing an even stiffer challenge to survive.

Losing a talent of Koppel's magnitude has killed lesser shows, even without the radical transformation that the show underwent. "Nightline" went live after years on tape, offered three anchors instead of one and three stories every day instead of the single focus and conversation that had been a Koppel trademark.

But something unexpected happened on the way to the TV scrap heap. "Nightline" grew year-to-year in its first two years, even beating "Late Show With David Letterman" in some weeks. And in the crazy, WGA strike-impacted TV season just past, it was down only slightly while both "Late Show" and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" saw steeper declines. Season-to-date, "Nightline" is a competitive No. 2 and has increased its retention from the ABC stations' late local news from 39% in 2005 to 50%.

"The audience really responded right from the start," executive producer James Goldston said. "Clearly, there was a worry that a lot of traditional 'Nightline' viewers would reject change. Viewers don't like change at all, under any circumstances. It could all have been very different. It could have gone quite badly here."

Co-anchor Cynthia McFadden said she and colleagues Martin Bashir and Terry Moran weren't sure at the start that things would go well. But she credits the audience and the network for sticking with the new "Nightline" and its potential.

"We tried really hard to stay true to the excellence that Koppel and his team brought to this broadcast and at the same time finding new ways to tell stories," she said.

Today, "Nightline" stands as one of the brighter lights in TV journalism, a daily newsmagazine that both serves as a last word on the news and has its own sometimes serious, sometimes quirky take. "Nightline" also has played a large role in making ABC competitive in late-night for the first time, and its pairing with "Jimmy Kimmel Live" has worked so well that ABC recently extended Kimmel's deal through 2010.

But with the face of late-night TV set to change dramatically next year with the departure of Leno from "Tonight," there's a chance that no matter how successful "Nightline" has been in remaking itself, if ABC and parent company Disney decide to go after Leno, "Nightline" could be the odd show out. It would be a cruel irony for a program that has managed not only to keep its journalistic integrity intact but done everything that it's been asked to do and more ratings-wise.

The subject came up in a skit this week on "Tonight." Leno held up a magazine cover that showed "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno ... starring Jay Leno on ABC." Leno quipped, "It's like a headline from the future."

But no one's laughing at the late-night comedic shift at ABC News, which has fought hard for years to keep the coveted 11:35 p.m. time slot that was on the verge of being given to Letterman when ABC secretly attempted to lure him to the network. Even if ABC's interest in Leno isn't as secret this time around, the result could end up being the same: the end of "Nightline."

Unlike its rivals, ABC only has from 11:35 p.m.-1 a.m. for its late-night programming. That means only one show, either "Nightline" or "Kimmel," would remain if Leno joined ABC. It's something that ABC News president David Westin said he hasn't contemplated, though he understands that the network has to look at every option. But he said there's something to be said for "Nightline" as a viable alternative to late-night laughs.

"It's showing that it's fully competitive with the entertainment programs, and that's something that I don't think anyone would have expected," Westin said.

Bashir said it's providing that alternative, the serious alternative, that rings true with the audience and would be missing if "Nightline" went away. But he knows that "Nightline" has to win the right to stay every day.

"If (network executives) decide in their wisdom that it's over, that's their decision," Bashir said. "But they will have made the decision from a position of our strength, not our weakness."

That's not to say that "Nightline" is automatically a goner if Leno jumps to ABC. The show is a cheaper program to produce than "Kimmel" or anything that Leno would do. There also would be a tremendous investment in Leno, in terms of salary and putting together a show, that would run in the hundreds of millions of dollars over the life of a contract. Would ABC be able to capitalize on that, especially since Leno wouldn't be able to bring "Tonight" with him? And with staggering ratings drops for the late-night comedy shows, does there need to be another one on network TV?

Koppel was miffed in 2002 when ABC tried to lure Letterman for the "Nightline" time slot. He said this week that the news business is, in fact, a business and he understands that ABC might decide that Leno would be better for the network than keeping "Nightline." But that doesn't mean he likes the idea.

"I think it would be a terrible shame," he said. "There are plenty of good comedy shows out there. There are very few thoughtful television programs."

ABC should buy back 11pm-11:35pm from the locals and put Nightline there, although I'm sure it would cost some money, along with bringing in Leno. I'm sure Jay Leno will go somewhere, though - you can tell he definitely is not ready to go away from latenight for good.

If Nightline does get the axe, Leno should be 11:35-12:35, and Kimmel 12:35-1:35. That just seems the easiest thing to do. Leno would probably bring in the ratings ABC wants, and it would give Kimmel a ratings boost, too.

I'm really going to miss him!!! :( Conan's great and all, but he's no Leno!!!
Leno's my favorite late night host!!!!
Same here. Johnny Carson was the man and I was so happy when Jay was given the job. Just like Drew taking over for Bob Barker on TPIR.

This is not good news. :(

HEADLINES is one of the things I sooo look forward to on Monday nights. :lol:

HEADLINES is one of the things I sooo look forward to on Monday nights. :lol:


Me too!!! And then when he interviews those dunderheads on the street who have no idea who our president or how many stars are on the flag!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Me too!!! And then when he interviews those dunderheads on the street who have no idea who our president or how many stars are on the flag!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Oh I know. :lol: When we go visit Universal City Walk, I keep hoping Jay would be there because I want to be approached and show him that there are some people who do have smarts. Not like those knuckleheads. :crazy: I guess they do find people who know the answers, they just edit out that stuff and keep the duh!!! people for laughs. :lol:


I remember when Jay used to do MR. CHIN or something like that. Remember his head was HUUUGE on the screen? And then he did the other guy, who was supposed to be a know-it-all? Man, I can't remember what they were called, but those segments were friggin' hilarious. :rofl:

Julie, I don't think it would be wise to tell local ABC affiliates they can't air the 11pm news anymore. Especially since most ABC markets have the highest rated 11pm news. The chance of that happening is 0% and it really wouldn't make sense. Locals would not be happy.

It is a hard decision here on what to do if Leno leaves NBC. I personally think Leno should do a 30-minute show on ABC with just his jokes and perhaps one guest, followed by Jimmy Kimmel in its normal 12:05-1:05 slot. Nightline should be brought in for maybe primetime specials, and breaking news (elections, etc) at 11:35, and perhaps regularly on ABCNews.com and their digital news network (ABC News Now).

God am I gonna miss Leno on the Tonight Show. I can already see ratings taking a huge nosedive when Conan takes over. Once Letterman starts beating the Tonight Show all over again, we'll know it's a disaster.

I can definitely see a 30-minute show, but it still won't be the same. They could do his monologue for part of the show, then do the segments like Headlines and Jaywalking for the other part - I don't think I could live without watching Headlines every Monday night :lol: I still think just moving Kimmel to 12:35 and having Jay at 11:35 would be most reasonable; we'll just have to do without Nightline.

God am I gonna miss Leno on the Tonight Show. I can already see ratings taking a huge nosedive when Conan takes over. Once Letterman starts beating the Tonight Show all over again, we'll know it's a disaster.

I can definitely see a 30-minute show, but it still won't be the same. They could do his monologue for part of the show, then do the segments like Headlines and Jaywalking for the other part - I don't think I could live without watching Headlines every Monday night :lol: I still think just moving Kimmel to 12:35 and having Jay at 11:35 would be most reasonable; we'll just have to do without Nightline.
I totally agree. I LOVE Headlines!!!! They used to publish books of the Headlines and all author royalties were donated to charity. I have all 5. Priceless!!! :lol: :rofl: :brent

One of my favorites was the ad for "Peter Pan PETER Butter". :eek2: :rofl: :brent

I totally agree. I LOVE Headlines!!!! They used to publish books of the Headlines and all author royalties were donated to charity. I have all 5. Priceless!!! :lol: :rofl: :brent

One of my favorites was the ad for "Peter Pan PETER Butter". :eek2: :rofl: :brent
SALT SISTER, what were the names of those characters Jay did, like Mr. Chin and some other guy where we saw Jay's head with some sort of genie headgear on????? It is driving me crazy. :lol: Those were awesome.

SALT SISTER, what were the names of those characters Jay did, like Mr. Chin and some other guy where we saw Jay's head with some sort of genie headgear on????? It is driving me crazy. :lol: Those were awesome.
He did Iron Jay (the fitness guy), Evil Jay, Beyondo (the genie), Billy Tuttle (big fat guy) and Mr. Brain. I miss those days!!!! :(

He did Iron Jay (the fitness guy), Evil Jay, Beyondo (the genie), Billy Tuttle (big fat guy) and Mr. Brain. I miss those days!!!! :(
OH LORD, THANK YOU. ;) I was searching and searching the net with no luck. I kept thinking it was MR. CHIN. :rofl: It was Mr. Brain. ;)

OH LORD, THANK YOU. ;) I was searching and searching the net with no luck. I kept thinking it was MR. CHIN. :rofl: It was Mr. Brain. ;)
Anytime - what are salt sisters for?? :cool:

Anytime - what are salt sisters for?? :cool:
But of course. ;) :cool:

Check out these t-shirts::lol: :lol: :lol:

I am always looking out for a Headline to send in of my own, but I've never found anything good enough!!! :lol:
I didn't know they made books out of them!!!! COOL!!!!

I don't really like Letterman, and only watch if there's an interesting guest on. The top 10 isn't all that funny to me either.

Jimmy Kimmel's funny, but not the same as Leno.

^ The Headlines books are sadly out of print, but you can find used copies on Amazon dirt cheap. They're worth searching for - they are a lot of fun!!! :rofl:

I have two of those books. They are great. :rofl:

Even though I love Conan and dislike Leno, I believe ratings will go down some when Conan takes over "The Tonight Show." Simply because it doesn't matter which one I like. It matters which one the majority of television watchers like. And that's probably Leno. Also, I think Conan's comedy is perfect for the 12:35 timeslot, not the 11:35 timeslot.

This whole thing is a disaster. When I watch late night shows, I watch Letterman and then Conan. Carson Daly's show is not funny at all. I like Kimmel, though I don't watch his show. And I've never watched a full episode of Ferguson. But what little I've seen, I don't want to watch a full episode.

Why is Carson Daly still on? :lol:

Why is Carson Daly still on? :lol:
He is??? *sarcasm* :lol:

I can only watch Kimmel, Leno, Letterman and Conan. Ferguson is crazy. He is always playing with the camera that only leaves 5 minutes for each guest. Daly is boring. I think he got the job because he has "Carson" in his name.

Kimmel's the best to me. Love the security team. They make the show very fun! Also, no one can top Jimmy's buzz with the videos. The Emmy nominated I'm F****** Matt Damon video!

I can only watch Kimmel, Leno, Letterman and Conan. Ferguson is crazy. He is always playing with the camera that only leaves 5 minutes for each guest. Daly is boring. I think he got the job because he has "Carson" in his name.

Kimmel's the best to me. Love the security team. They make the show very fun! Also, no one can top Jimmy's buzz with the videos. The Emmy nominated I'm F****** Matt Damon video!

I love Guillermo!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: He's just adorable!!!!!

I was thinking if Jay Leno does on to The ABC Televison Network I wonder what The Name would be

He is always playing with the camera that only leaves 5 minutes for each guest.

With Craig Ferguson, a lot of it comes down to whether you watch these shows for the guests or for the hosts. If you don't really care about the guests but like the hosts - Craig's great. If you just want your hosts to get to the guests after a quick monologue and desk bit, then he's not your guy.

Craig's easily my favorite of the current late night guys, but NO ONE will ever top Johnny Carson, IMO.

I have a Question when Conan O'Briean take's over The Tonight Show will he get a new contract

I love Craig Ferguson - he's really funny, plus I watched him on Drew Carey Show all those years. I usually watch Leno, then Ferguson almost every night.

And I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates how Conan always messes around. I can't stand that - he's either acting like a monkey throughout his entire monologue, or he's playing with his hair. I don't understand how someone would actually want to watch that for an hour. Why even give him a show and a guest, he can just do that stuff on the street for money :rolleyes:

Ferguson messes around, too, doesn't he?

I do not watch Ferguson what do you mean by Messes around I just fround out Jay last taping for The Tonight Show is May 29, 2009 and Conan O'Briean will take over The Tonight Show on June 1, 2008.

But of course. ;) :cool:

Check out these t-shirts::lol: :lol: :lol:

I wish i had a "you're all idiots" T-Shirt to give to my girlfriend. She loves Jay Leno, especialll when he uses the word idiots.:lol:

I have a Question when Conan O'Briean take's over The Tonight Show will he get a new contract

I would think so Scoobie, hosting the Tonight Show is a big deal. But i could be wrong.

I hope Jay Leno fines a new Home after his Contract erxpires with NBC

Ferguson messes around, too, doesn't he?

Once in awhile, but it's usually in his jokes - he doesn't jump around the stage like a monkey all the time ;)

I hope Jay Leno fines a new Home after his Contract erxpires with NBC

I really hope so to Scoobie, he's my favorite Late Night host right now. Like some of the posters have talked about, ABC is interested in signing him. But even if he doesn't get a contract for late night work, he can always fall back on his stand up comedy. Atleast we know he and his family won't starve.:lol:

Well Leno impersonated a reporter today at the NBC TCA tour...a copy cat of Jimmy Kimmel doing the same thing last week at ABC's session. Hmmm...read more:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/07/summer-2008-tca-press-tour-nbc-day-2.html

I really hope Leno moves on for good from NBC - he'll get treated much better at ABC or any other network. After all, NBC was the network dumb enough to actually let him go from the Tonight Show.

I really hope Leno moves on for good from NBC - he'll get treated much better at ABC or any other network. After all, NBC was the network dumb enough to actually let him go from the Tonight Show.
Couldn't have said that better myself. :nod:

Once in awhile, but it's usually in his jokes - he doesn't jump around the stage like a monkey all the time ;)


A RED-HEADED MONKEY-lol

http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2008/07/jay-lenos-last-night-may-29-20.html

Jay Leno's Last Night: May 29, 2009
By Roger Catlin

Jay Leno's last night hosting "The Tonight Show" will be Friday, May 29, 2009, NBC executives announced Monday. Conan O'Brien will take over the helm of the fabled late night show on Monday, June 1, 2009.

The news came in answer to persistent questioning to NBC co-chairmen Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff from a bald, bearded man in the back of the room on the last day of the TV critics press tour.

As his questions continued to be more outlandish ("Will Leno still be paid the rest of the year?" "Is it true you've offered Jay Leno a fifth hour of the 'Today' show?" "Will 'Manimal' come back?"), it was obvious the reporter was actually a heavily disguised Leno himself.

It was a ploy that copied Jimmy Kimmel's similar turn at the ABC executive session last week, in which he appeared in disguise and asked questions about Leno's possibility coming to ABC.

After Leno fled the room, Graboff said it was not a foregone conclusion that Leno would be fleeing to ABC for a late night show, as has been widely rumored and in fact NBC is still pursuing him for future projects.

Leno took over the "Tonight" franchise in 1992 following the reign of Johnny Carson and has been consistently a late night ratings leader ever since. When O'Brien takes over, he'll being his writers and production team from New York to the West Coast, where the "Tonight" show will eminate from Universal Studios instead of its old location in Burbank.

As producer Lorne Michaels announced Sunday, O'Brien's replacement on "Late Night," Jimmy Fallon, will begin an online version of his show nightly at 12:30 a.m. this fall before premiering on air in March or April, Silverman said.

O'Brien's last show in the 12:35 a.m. slot will come some time in the first quarter, Silverman said.

http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2008/07/jay-lenos-last-night-may-29-20.html

Jay Leno's Last Night: May 29, 2009
By Roger Catlin

Jay Leno's last night hosting "The Tonight Show" will be Friday, May 29, 2009, NBC executives announced Monday. Conan O'Brien will take over the helm of the fabled late night show on Monday, June 1, 2009.

The news came in answer to persistent questioning to NBC co-chairmen Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff from a bald, bearded man in the back of the room on the last day of the TV critics press tour.

As his questions continued to be more outlandish ("Will Leno still be paid the rest of the year?" "Is it true you've offered Jay Leno a fifth hour of the 'Today' show?" "Will 'Manimal' come back?"), it was obvious the reporter was actually a heavily disguised Leno himself.

It was a ploy that copied Jimmy Kimmel's similar turn at the ABC executive session last week, in which he appeared in disguise and asked questions about Leno's possibility coming to ABC.

After Leno fled the room, Graboff said it was not a foregone conclusion that Leno would be fleeing to ABC for a late night show, as has been widely rumored and in fact NBC is still pursuing him for future projects.

Leno took over the "Tonight" franchise in 1992 following the reign of Johnny Carson and has been consistently a late night ratings leader ever since. When O'Brien takes over, he'll being his writers and production team from New York to the West Coast, where the "Tonight" show will eminate from Universal Studios instead of its old location in Burbank.

As producer Lorne Michaels announced Sunday, O'Brien's replacement on "Late Night," Jimmy Fallon, will begin an online version of his show nightly at 12:30 a.m. this fall before premiering on air in March or April, Silverman said.

O'Brien's last show in the 12:35 a.m. slot will come some time in the first quarter, Silverman said.



That's the night I will be crying like a baby-lol

That's the night I will be crying like a baby-lol
Me too!!! :(

I think it's good for him to move on. He's been hosting for what, well over 15 years now. I like him better than any of the other hosts on TV today (night-time).

I don't know why the media is acting like the man was fired and is now going to be destitute. He's said all along that he would leave the show in 2009 and hand over the reins to Connan. Why is it such a big surprise?

As for it being emotional, I never thought about that. I will definitely tune in to watch, since I do watch on occasion, depending on who the guests are.

Leno was in Vegas back in late June, so who knows... maybe he'll do more touring and so forth. I don't know that I'd pay to see him. I don't really see him as a stand-up comedian, although he is pretty funny!

Andrea

I know my gradmother will miss watching JayLeno

That's the night I will be crying like a baby-lol

Me too!!! :brent

I'm hearing from the inside a deal with ABC for 11:35PM is just about done and signed....kimmel will go to 12:35AM with more network perks like the recent primetime NBA specials...ABC feels Kimmel's ratings will actually rise with the Leno lead-in......Fox is putting on the heat with more $$$ being offered and a 11PM slot but of course it's FOX.....kinda of real come down......ABC is in the lead at this time and it's only a matter of weeks a deal will be announced.