American television host, writer, and comedian Jay Leno talked about his “Tonight Show” shake-up and following controversy inflicted on host Conan O’Brien. The comedian/ host addresses his controversial exit and returns to NBC’s tonight show. Jay Leno said, he did not sabotage Conan O’Brien who succeeded him in 2009. He also added that he does regret how he treated Jimmy Kimmel when Leno was up for a job at ABC. 

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Jay Leno’s comment on Conan O’Brien taking over the show

Conan O’Brien Jay Lenon
Conan O’Brien Jay Lenon

Jay Leno was recently at Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast and he denied that he “deliberately sabotaged” the NBC late-night talk show after O’Brien took over in 2009. The incident following Leno’s departure to lead “The Jay Leno Show” at the 10 PM time slot whereas Conan O’Brien’s show aired on 11: 35 PM. 

“I was not deliberately sabotaging the show to try and get the tonight show. That doesn’t work it doesn’t work that way. You try and do the best you can and this all happened fairly quickly.”

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Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel’s relationship

Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel
Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel

The host also shared his experience with Jimmy Kimmel about joining ABC, but he never followed up with Kimmel after deciding to stay at NBC. “I called Jimmy Kimmel and I said I’m getting off some ABC. I don’t want to start a whole thing here if at that time put me on 11:30. Would you want to go on a 12:30?”, said Jay Leno

“I think he said yeah you might too. I said okay we became friends and then that didn’t happen and it became public. I suppose I should have called jimmy and explained to him again but I didn’t. I don’t know why I didn’t I just didn’t I thought he probably figured out but I think maybe he was hurt by that and I apologize to him for that now Conan said at the time that he wouldn’t have done what Leno did.”

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Jay Leno
Jay Leno and Kevin Eubanks

In 2009, Jay Leno left “The Tonight Show” after 17 years, making the way for Conan O’Brien to take over the show. Jay Leno now hosts the new version of the 1947  classic comedy game show, “You Bet Your Life”, alongside former Tonight Show guitarist and prolific composer Kevin Eubanks. 

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Source: Club Random

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