AOL Interview With Jay Leno On Conan O'Brien, New Show, and Being 'Future of TV' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 09-12-2009, 08:51 PM

After saying goodbye to The Tonight Show in May after 17 years, Jay Leno will re-emerge on Monday, Sept. 14, as the star of his own nightly prime-time show on NBC. The Jay Leno Show promises such familiar fare as Jaywalking and Headlines along with several new bits -- and of course plenty of celebrity guests to go around.

AOL TV caught up with the comedian during a conference call to talk about prime-time jitters, Conan O'Brien's floundering ratings and what it feels like to be labeled "the future of television."

Are you surprised by the dip in the Tonight Show ratings since Conan O'Brien took over?

That's not my problem. I mean, I went through this when I took over from Johnny. You go through the 6-8 weeks of "you stink, you suck, we hate you." You know, people are loyal to whoever the last person was. And you either whine and complain about it or you put your nose to the grindstone, you write the jokes and you do it.

I think Conan has handled it great. He doesn't complain. He does what he has to do and puts on a good show every night. And now it's up to people to either pick up on it or not. He'll be fine.

It's the same thing I went through. You know, someone sent me an article from 1969 that said, "When is Jack Paar coming back? This Johnny Carson with these sex jokes, it's rude, it's this, it's that." And Johnny had been on for seven years, and they're still asking when Paar's coming back?

But eventually you work hard and you make it your own.

Is that viewer loyalty why you decided not to shake things up too much on this new show?

Well, we're not having the same format as The Tonight Show, we're keeping elements of The Tonight Show that people seemed to like and seemed to work well. Don't forget, we're doing a show every day and the [old] elements, there are maybe seven or eight of them. So we have to add a lot of new stuff.

We're not throwing the whole thing out. We're keeping the stuff that works and getting rid of the stuff that doesn't work.

Are you nervous about making the leap to prime time?

I'm hopefully optimistic. Like I say, NBC is in fourth place, so you can't do any worse. [Laughs] I'm still pretty laid back. I mean, this is not as nerve-wracking as taking over from Johnny, because then I was sort of an unknown entity; at this point people kind of know what I do.

They either like it or they don't, and you kind of keep doing what you always did but maybe with new energy and new excitement and some new bits, and you see how people like it. I mean all you can do is give it your best shot, you know?

You've said that 10 o'clock is the new 11:30. What do you mean?

When I was a kid -- a kid? When I was in my 20s and 30s, I always stayed up until two o'clock in the morning watching the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder and so did most of my friends.

Nowadays I find people go to bed at 12, 12:30 at the latest. They don't stay up that late, whether it's because people are carpooling or working two jobs or they've just go more responsibility or whatever it might be.

And one thing I seem to get from people is, "Oh, I like your monologue but, god, I only get about halfway through." Either I'm putting them to sleep, which is a very real possibility, or it's just too late.

What's your response to the Time magazine headline that you're "the future of television"?

Well, that is hilarious. That shows you the trouble we are in. I mean, if you read the article it's just telling you, I think, that television has to change. The advertising dollars are not there anymore. The numbers that get you to No. 1 now are numbers that would have gotten you canceled 20 years ago.

I mean I never thought I'd see the day when prime-time shows would be in single digits in the ratings. I can remember when Nancy Kerrigan hosted Saturday Night Live and only got a 14 rating and everybody went, "Oh, we thought it'd be higher than that." Well, 14, that would make you the biggest hit in the history of NBC these days.

So, you know, it's a different model. It's a changing thing.

http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/09/11/j...-future-of-tv/

Marvo301 · 09-12-2009, 09:00 PM

Can't wait for Monday night!

JulieSomoski · 09-12-2009, 09:36 PM

Same here - I couldn't look more forward to watching Leno again. It's been a long summer without him.

catlover79 · 09-12-2009, 09:41 PM

I can't wait for the new show!!

Schmoopie · 09-13-2009, 04:18 AM

I've got my DVR set to record it! Bring on Jerry Seinfeld!!!

I was reading a couple of magazine articles about Jay's show tonight and I forget the names of the mags (I think Time was one of them) but neither one was very optimistic about Jay's new show. I think that a lot of people are going to appreciate that he's going to be on earlier now, even though he says it's a different show. It sounds pretty similar to me, with the guest stars, the same band (LOVE Kevin Eubanks!

) and his popular segments). That was the main reason I never watched The Tonight Show that much (unless someone I REALLY liked was on-like Jerry Seinfeld or Harry Connick Jr), because it's on late. Not that I go to bed early by any means. I just think that Jay's loyal viewers are going to check out this new show. I love Jay's monologues and even if I didn't like his guests, I would always check out his opening segment.

I'm really excited about his new show, especially since it's premiering the night before my birthday!!!

I wish Jay the best of luck!!!

On a related note regarding that article, I think that was very crappy of them to ask him what he thinks of The Tonight Show's sinking ratings. What did they expect him to say? Anyone with less class than Jay would probably say something derogatory. I love how he's optomistic about Conan's new gig. It sucks that Conan landed the Tonight Show spot that way, though. I never fully understood the whole NBC-Leno "feud" regarding his exit from The Tonight Show until I read those mag articles. It would have served NBC right if Jay would have gone to ABC or CBS or even a cable network to do his new show.

JulieSomoski · 09-13-2009, 12:55 PM

His monologue was always the best of the latenight hosts, and being on at 10pm to watch it is even better. With the same old band and basically the same format (just with the comedy bits at the end instead of the 15 minute mark), the loyal viewers and possibly a few new viewers will still be there. I can't wait to see the new set (I'm hoping its similar to his old Tonight Show set, with the night club feel and all), and Monday's show should be fantastic!

09-12-2009, 08:51 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,117	AOL Interview With Jay Leno On Conan O'Brien, New Show, and Being 'Future of TV' After saying goodbye to The Tonight Show in May after 17 years, Jay Leno will re-emerge on Monday, Sept. 14, as the star of his own nightly prime-time show on NBC. The Jay Leno Show promises such familiar fare as Jaywalking and Headlines along with several new bits -- and of course plenty of celebrity guests to go around. AOL TV caught up with the comedian during a conference call to talk about prime-time jitters, Conan O'Brien's floundering ratings and what it feels like to be labeled "the future of television." Are you surprised by the dip in the Tonight Show ratings since Conan O'Brien took over? That's not my problem. I mean, I went through this when I took over from Johnny. You go through the 6-8 weeks of "you stink, you suck, we hate you." You know, people are loyal to whoever the last person was. And you either whine and complain about it or you put your nose to the grindstone, you write the jokes and you do it. I think Conan has handled it great. He doesn't complain. He does what he has to do and puts on a good show every night. And now it's up to people to either pick up on it or not. He'll be fine. It's the same thing I went through. You know, someone sent me an article from 1969 that said, "When is Jack Paar coming back? This Johnny Carson with these sex jokes, it's rude, it's this, it's that." And Johnny had been on for seven years, and they're still asking when Paar's coming back? But eventually you work hard and you make it your own. Is that viewer loyalty why you decided not to shake things up too much on this new show? Well, we're not having the same format as The Tonight Show, we're keeping elements of The Tonight Show that people seemed to like and seemed to work well. Don't forget, we're doing a show every day and the [old] elements, there are maybe seven or eight of them. So we have to add a lot of new stuff. We're not throwing the whole thing out. We're keeping the stuff that works and getting rid of the stuff that doesn't work. Are you nervous about making the leap to prime time? I'm hopefully optimistic. Like I say, NBC is in fourth place, so you can't do any worse. [Laughs] I'm still pretty laid back. I mean, this is not as nerve-wracking as taking over from Johnny, because then I was sort of an unknown entity; at this point people kind of know what I do. They either like it or they don't, and you kind of keep doing what you always did but maybe with new energy and new excitement and some new bits, and you see how people like it. I mean all you can do is give it your best shot, you know? You've said that 10 o'clock is the new 11:30. What do you mean? When I was a kid -- a kid? When I was in my 20s and 30s, I always stayed up until two o'clock in the morning watching the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder and so did most of my friends. Nowadays I find people go to bed at 12, 12:30 at the latest. They don't stay up that late, whether it's because people are carpooling or working two jobs or they've just go more responsibility or whatever it might be. And one thing I seem to get from people is, "Oh, I like your monologue but, god, I only get about halfway through." Either I'm putting them to sleep, which is a very real possibility, or it's just too late. What's your response to the Time magazine headline that you're "the future of television"? Well, that is hilarious. That shows you the trouble we are in. I mean, if you read the article it's just telling you, I think, that television has to change. The advertising dollars are not there anymore. The numbers that get you to No. 1 now are numbers that would have gotten you canceled 20 years ago. I mean I never thought I'd see the day when prime-time shows would be in single digits in the ratings. I can remember when Nancy Kerrigan hosted Saturday Night Live and only got a 14 rating and everybody went, "Oh, we thought it'd be higher than that." Well, 14, that would make you the biggest hit in the history of NBC these days. So, you know, it's a different model. It's a changing thing. http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/09/11/j...-future-of-tv/ Attached Images

09-12-2009, 09:00 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Can't wait for Monday night!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-12-2009, 09:41 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I can't wait for the new show!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-13-2009, 04:18 AM	#5
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I've got my DVR set to record it! Bring on Jerry Seinfeld!!! I was reading a couple of magazine articles about Jay's show tonight and I forget the names of the mags (I think Time was one of them) but neither one was very optimistic about Jay's new show. I think that a lot of people are going to appreciate that he's going to be on earlier now, even though he says it's a different show. It sounds pretty similar to me, with the guest stars, the same band (LOVE Kevin Eubanks!) and his popular segments). That was the main reason I never watched The Tonight Show that much (unless someone I REALLY liked was on-like Jerry Seinfeld or Harry Connick Jr), because it's on late. Not that I go to bed early by any means. I just think that Jay's loyal viewers are going to check out this new show. I love Jay's monologues and even if I didn't like his guests, I would always check out his opening segment. I'm really excited about his new show, especially since it's premiering the night before my birthday!!! I wish Jay the best of luck!!! On a related note regarding that article, I think that was very crappy of them to ask him what he thinks of The Tonight Show's sinking ratings. What did they expect him to say? Anyone with less class than Jay would probably say something derogatory. I love how he's optomistic about Conan's new gig. It sucks that Conan landed the Tonight Show spot that way, though. I never fully understood the whole NBC-Leno "feud" regarding his exit from The Tonight Show until I read those mag articles. It would have served NBC right if Jay would have gone to ABC or CBS or even a cable network to do his new show.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

09-12-2009, 09:36 PM	#3
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Same here - I couldn't look more forward to watching Leno again. It's been a long summer without him.

09-13-2009, 12:55 PM	#6
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	His monologue was always the best of the latenight hosts, and being on at 10pm to watch it is even better. With the same old band and basically the same format (just with the comedy bits at the end instead of the 15 minute mark), the loyal viewers and possibly a few new viewers will still be there. I can't wait to see the new set (I'm hoping its similar to his old Tonight Show set, with the night club feel and all), and Monday's show should be fantastic!