Jay Leno on His Feud with Jimmy Kimmel
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- čas přidán 6. 08. 2022
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A can’t miss conversation with the great Jay Leno, where Bill Maher and Jay share hilarious stories like Jay’s true feelings about his beef with Jimmy Kimmel, the time Jay took toilet paper as payment for a stand-up gig, why Jay hid in the closet and eavesdropped on NBC execs during the Tonight Show drama, what NBC told Jay when they fired him, what made the blind guy who climbed Mount Everest furious, and Jay’s dinner with Gorbachev.
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Finally, one of these guys gives Ferguson the credit he deserves. He was the true inheritor to Letterman, in terms of creativity, uniqueness, and risk-taking. To this day, he's the only other one of them who even tried to do something truly different. I still miss watching Craig and Geoff every night.
Craig Ferguson is still my favorite late night show. So underrated
Furguson was the only comedian that got a real laugh out if Williams.
I've always wondered why Letterman didn't get any shit for why Ferguson didn't get his show. If Letterman supposedly was Carson's heir apparent why wasn't Ferguson considered Letterman's? And btw Conan SUCKS. He never should've gotten the tonight show at all.
Yes, Ferguson actually had real conversations with his guests.
@@jefflandreneau7027 when letterman left they killed the show
I liked Craig, because he came off as actually trying to talk to the guest, rather than just ask the same questions. I loved that he just ripped up the blue card full of notes.
I feel like half the time I saw Craig with guests they didn't even talk about what they were there to promote, and that's great! Made me actually like the guest which in turn made me care about the thing being promoted.
Yeah before they talked he would rip up the notes
I was a Conan fan and the first time I came across Craig was when he was interviewing Kristin Davis and it was so light, funny and interesting- I immediately started watching Ferguson after that
Talk? He talked all over them, and just wouldn't shut the fuck up!
He would have someone in his show trying to promote their thing and ask them if they wanted to talk about that, some got confused, since that was probably the whole point, he said "we don't have to do that, unless you want to, or we can talk about anything you want", and often they did exactly that and you could see the genuine joy in their faces as they chatted about horses or pie or whatever.
Leno spends the whole interview denying Kimmel’s allegation that Jay was scheming to get his old show back, and then in the next breath he answers “let’s just play this out and see what happens” in regards to why he didn’t go to another network.
Yeah and I have seen interviews after this originally happened, I think the 60 minutes interview, where he keeps saying NBC wouldn't let him out of his contract. Now here he says he's loyal and let's see what happens? I am not saying Conan is all righteous and clean either, I know he lobbied for the Tonight Show and wanted Jay out, but you announced you were leaving, then stuck around to wait it out, went wherever they told you, then came back and took the Tonight Show again. Not one person in this whole debacle had any brains. It was a mess and NBC, Jay and Conan are all to blame. Conan less than the others, but still what a shit show.
@@watchreport RE: "but you announced you were leaving,"
But let's remember this wasn't his idea. *NBC* wanted Jay to publicly congratulate Conan.
RE: "...then stuck around to wait it out,"
Even when this plan was revealed in 2004, Jay couldn't just walk away. He was only half way through his then current contract. Now Conan could've left early in 2006 and had a show at *FOX,* but he chose to green light *NBC's* weird 5 year plan (something Jay was not even informed of until after the decision was made).
RE: "...then came back and took the Tonight Show again."
Conan chose to resign. Why should Jay not accept an offer to return to the show that Conan's deal originally took away from him?
Though this was primarily *NBC's* fault, Conan's at least as responsible for that debacle as Jay was.
@@gallery7596 Sure Conan chose to leave. NBC stabbed him in the back with Jay's help. He was promised The Tonight Show...not the Tomorrow Show. And having a 10PM talk show lead-in undermined Conan on The Tonight Show at 11:35. I am fairly certain the NBC execs were expecting this outcome from the beginning. I blame NBC for cooking up this scheme and also blame Jay for being a willing part of it. I find nothing that Jay has said here persuasive. And I don't see how you blame Conan...at all. He wanted The Tonight Show and made it known to NBC. NBC could have refused and told Conan he had a job on Late Night for as long as he wanted, but they wanted to keep Jay on the Tonight Show. Conan would have probably left NBC. That isn't his fault. Instead, NBC hatched this scheme to try to have it both ways. They knew Jay at 10:00PM wasn't going to work and it would only serve to tank Conan's ratings on The Tonight Show at 11:35. Jay knew it too. Either way it would give NBC what it wanted...Jay back on the air at 11:35. And they wanted Jay on at 11:35 more than they wanted Conan at NBC. What stinks here is the way NBC handled it. Jay knew what was going on and went along with it.
@@watchreport Chris Rock said the smartest thing about it in regrads to Conan. He said Conan had lousy lawyers because any smart lawyer would have made sure the contract was very clear and iron clad. Instead he had a contract that didn't specify time slots which created a loophole for NBC to get around.
They dropped the ball on Craig. Criminally underrated.
I missed that show while it was on unfortunately. But it couldn't last. It was apolitical, unpolished, improvised, and genuinely kind.
It was everything Hollywood hates because it doesn't have a specific formula an exec can take credit for and can't be used to sell whatever propaganda is the topic of the day.
Who's 'they'? Ferguson wasn't cancelled, he quit cuz he didn't want to do it anymore. So what r u talking about?
@@EclecticBuddha WTF are you talking about? "Hollywood" loves ratings - Craig had them but was burned out and wanted to leave.
Sadly, Craigs style of comedy was even more sexually charged than even Conan's, so if definitely wouldn't have played at 11:30.
Craig I think is one of the best. He is actually on the level of Conan as far as I’m concerned. It would be amazing to see Craig, Conan and Andy have a show together.
Ferguson reinvented what it meant to be a late night host. I'm glad Jay said what he said because he did not get the recognition he deserved. A truly phenomenal show.
I've been rewatching Ferguson on youtube a lot lately. God I loved that show. Deconstructed the whole late night thing, just brilliant.
I always thought all these late night hosts were funny except him. He’s the only one I watched where I couldn’t even crack a smile.
@@johnrcornell It sounds like you like the normal stuff - nothing wrong with that.
I get why people like Ferguson but in no way at the time it would have made sense to put him over Conan. Conan is still thriving like crazy in podcasting but I don't hear much about Ferguson. Like Conan in his early career reinvented the talk-show, so did Ferguson but Conan is solid and earned it with it thru years. It's just crazy to watch a spike in Ferguson and cause all that commosion. The way people rallied for Conan to be swindled just proves that it should have been his as promised.
@@johnrcornell sounds like you dont have a sense of humor ....d0uche
Craig Ferguson was the one host that made me laugh, and by far the only one that didn't feel stale. He engaged with the guest and you could see him making them either weird them out or almost pass out by laughter.
Craig was amazing and I was super bummed when he ended up parting ways with the Late Late Show. He's just a very funny off the cuff comedian and perfect for those late show formats. It's kind of a crime that he was followed up with James Corden. Personally, I think Craig shouldve gotten a shot at the big job. Or just stayed with his old show. Either way, I miss seeing Craig every night.
@@jayg339 James Corden killed the show, he's just not funny at all. Craig could interview anyone without any writing or PR team telling him what to ask. Yeah he's missed.
There's no longer any tonight shows, just political mouthpieces.
Very under rated. I put him right behind Carson, O'Brien, and Letterman
Craig Ferguson to James Corden has to be the biggest downgrade in the history of mankind 😂
The NBC executives hated Letterman because since he started at NBC in the 1970s, he relentlessly made fun of them, live on air 😆
And when they asked him to host an event for the network, or tickets for an executive's son to come to a taping of his show, Letterman would turn them down. And yet he was shocked when *NBC* chose Jay as Carson's successor. Amazing how a guy that talented and smart could be so dense.
@@gallery7596NBC is corrupt you mean
and that why letterman went to cbs to host the late show
He made fun of CBS all the time too. But they happily paid him more than Leno ever got from NBC.
I watched them all, Jay, Dave, Conan, Craig. I took them for granted. I didn't realize how lucky we were to have them.
Letterman and Conan are the two best in my opinion
i like jay the best, conan second. dave was annoying and turned into a curmudgeon by the end.
I'm still wondering why Jon Stewart didn't take over for Tom Snyder, because he was very well suited for that job the few times he was the guest host. Jon understood that show very well, and he was one of the few who could've taken over that show and kept Tom's version of it alive for awhile longer.
Craig Ferguson was the best late night host...his show made me laugh way harder than any other show
In the battle of the douches, he was the biggest douche
Why you tslking about craig who cares
Still watch Craig's clips on CZcams. Loved that show!!!
............huh? Lol
Carson and Leno were the best the rest were just wannabes who thought they were funny including that poc stern
Holy f, this is first time IN MY LIFE I've seen someone actually acknowledge Craig. That dude is seriously the greatest talk show host there ever was and in my opinion, probably will be. So natural, smooth and funny.
Hes no talk show host and makes the viewer and guests feel so uncomfy.
Agreed, Craig Ferguson is easily my favorite talk show host of all time after Johnny Carson and no one else is even close. Nothing touches his interviews with Robin Williams, Russell Brand, etc. He had the talk show thing figured out and threw out the rules and just had conversations with his guests. GOAT.
@@maxsavage3998 Nonsense.
@@maxsavage3998 you obviously never seen much, it's the complete opposite
@@redmint4894 Carson #1 -- Ferguson # 2 Conan # 3 Leno # 4 Letterman # 5
I always wanted a late night show hosted by Conan, where Norm Macdonald was always the first guest, and then there’d be another guest after that, I suppose…
Compared to those two Kimmel sucks
Yeah, Norm and Conan was peak late night talk show.
Still perhaps the only one constantly giving credit to Ferguson and recognising that he actually had become a real threat to the other hosts becuz he was simply so damn goood!!
A lot of people give credit to Ferguson. I think Letterman thought a lot of him.
I agree, Ferguson was a breath of fresh air in late night. Scratching my head as to why they didn’t move him into a Letterman’s slot, but I heard it was in his contract that when Letterman retired he took over or they would pay him a huge buyout, so good for Craig.
Funny how Leno forgets that he wasn't number one for years when he first got the Tonight Show. It wasn't till the Hugh Grant interview did Leno become number one. Conan had six months.
@@monotech20.14 The tv scene in 2008 was very different compared to 1992 when Jay took over.
Only one…huh? 😂
Ferguson was a BEAST. Incredibly funny, innovative and had the power to show the network execs his collection of avians.
Hey, hey, hey...let's not bring the damn birs into this whole thing!
Larry Sanders hands down best late night show host ever. 😊
Hey now!
@@stormbringercoming8105lol. You stole my comment!!!!
I'll be honest... I was a conan guy. Him and Craig were on at the same time and I made my choice. Now that conan is off the air I can go back and watch Craig Ferguson clips. He was great. They both were.
Craig Ferguson was absolutely, hands down the funniest of them all.
Came across to me as a puppet show host.
i tried watching him many times. never found it funny. but, to each their own, I wasnt going to bash him for it.
Well... I don't know about "hands down"... Letterman, Ferguson, and Conan are all brilliant in their own ways. They all pushed the boundaries. Today? I think Kimmel tries to... and has grown to be a relaxed, excellent talk show host. He's not afraid to speak out and that lack of fear makes him pretty great, too.
I think maybe because I’m English/ Aussie I found Craig’s humour more relatable. He’s slightly insane and had such great interaction with his guests especially other comedians, it comes across as natural and unrehearsed, and makes me laugh uncontrollably. It’s a personal opinion and living in Oz we didn’t get a lot of Conan though I’ve seen snippets on the internet and he seems to have the spontaneity that is a little lacking in some of the other more scripted late night shows.
I still like to watch Crag Ferguson interviews, he's just so good at talking to people and making it funny for the audience
Craig Ferguson is my favorite all time late night host
I did infrequently watch the tonight show years ago but I was never a devoted fan. Having said that, I’ve always believed that Leno, at his very core, is a very good guy. I’m glad he addressed this because people have been making public statements and have shared their perspective on the shake up and Jay has never spoken about how things unfolded from his side; at least he hasn’t, to my knowledge. I sincerely wish him well. I think he’s one of the good ones and he’s lasted because he does his own thing and keeps to himself and leaves the chatter and the back biting to those who want to participate in it.
Completely agree. I think he may have an issue with saying 'no' when asked for a favor; and NBC really pushed that and left an unwarranted bruise on his legacy for their efforts. I guess people can argue that "Jay could've prevented a lot of this" - but so could have a LOT of other people involved. Just happens that Jay is the biggest & most successful of them all.
It was tough seeing such a genuinely nice guy just getting beat up constantly during that period just because NBC couldn't let go(or just be honest with Conan and tell him that they didn't want to give him the seat; NO BALLS from NBC execs though, they hid behind Jay...).
@@RyTrapp0 Exactly! Had Jay declined, NBC would have continued to try and find a better fit than Conan as the ratings took a nose dive after he took Jay's spot. Too bad Conan can't admit that. As much as he appears to treat his staff well by always mentioning them publicly, doesn't mean Jay didn't. Like you said, he's a quiet man and caught hell when it wasn't warranted. Him stating that his ratings were much better in that time slot wasn't a lie or grandstanding, which so many misconstrue.
Leno is a two-faced, lying POS……….good to see he has you fooled, too 👍If you’re just some guy on a park bench, he’s the nicest guy ever……….but if he feels you are even remotely funny or a challenge to him, then he’s a backstabbing a-hole!
Very good discussion - very relaxed. Great to get Jay's take on this.
Jay trusts Bill
Craig was the only host I watched as a teen. Easily the funniest and most outrageous.
i watched this guy called conan i think? maybe youve heard of him
that style wouldn't work at 11:30
Need to get Kimmel, Conan, Jay, Dave along with some old TV Execs to hash this out on live TV. Ratings would be bonkers.
No they wouldn't. Late nite is dead. TV in general is dying. Nobody gives a crap anymore.
Remember: don’t blame Conan.
@@ghostpiratelechuck2259 But really we can blame Conan.
I would watch that, ‘specially since I had no clue what was going on at the time. But I like history.
@@lcflngn Start by watching the movie, I think it was called 'Late Night'. it's about the time when NBC chose Leno over Letterman to be Carson's replacement; Jay is talking about it in the beginning of this video
I want to see a group interview between Jay, Kimmel, Letterman, Conan, and Howard Stern all moderated by Bill Maher. I would even buy tickets to the live event. 😂
I've always liked Jay Leno. When my Grandson was little, while I was watching the Tonight Show, he said " I like that guy with the white hair, he's funny." 😂
Leno needs his own denim brand
Bill is so spot-on; thanks for bring up Ageism.
Fear of Letterman by Exec's is why they chose Leno. I don't remember ever watching Leno with the exception of the Bobcat's campfire drill (on CZcams.)
"There were a lot of executives that did not like Letterman" thats a true mark of distinction. This just makes me miss Dave even more
Letterman went from a good host, to just an annoying old fart with a chip on his shoulder because he got caught cheating on his wife.
yep. often when people are really good at what they do, or at the very least are very true to themselves, others wont like them. because they are "difficult"
Yet. Jay year after year beat Letterman in the ratings. What idiots those execs were.
Not staying for "The Tonight Show" was the best decision Dave ever made. He wasn't going to have an easy time of it at *NBC.*
@@patricklemire9278 Woah he beat him in cable ratings?
Cable which is now dead?
Cable which is now looked at as irrelevant slop for low brow goons who shouldn't have freedom of choice beyond their pre-approved channels?
Yeah, shut up.
David Letterman is and always will be an original and a legend.
Jay Leno is a hack
Jay Leno should have a been a bit more honest and basically say that he is a businessman first and he made a business decision. Case closed
In other words, it sounds like if he were a golfer, he'd be playing on the, 'Liv and Let Die,' tour
@@buckchile614 You wouldnt?
it's not show friends, it's show business 100%
He fought for the tonight show and won. Letterman also fought for it but was seen as a worse choice. He never wanted to leave the tonight show and filled in when Conan's run ended. I don't know why he is considered some villain. The only sketchy thing was hiding in closers and spying on meetings.
@@muximus2771 In my present situation, probably. But, I'm not well off enough, like those that chose to go. Greed is a sin too, although Fox only recognizes envy. Again, w/ only half the story
Kimmel couldn't hold Fergusons jock strap. Should be Craig at that spot
I used to stay up late when I was a teenager so I could watch the late late show,Craig will be always be my favourite talk show host
5:38 Answer: The Tonight Show has a legacy, has a huge audience and is considered the top spot. That's why he didn't go to Fox or anywhere else. It definitely wasn't loyalty.
You think Dave or Conan would have been as successful as leno at that time?
@@JJ-nu8qi No. They proved that. They both had their shot to be as successful and neither could pull it off. Leno got #1 about a year after taking over for Carson and never surrendered it. Letterman could out pull Leno with a decent guest but that was few and far between.
@@bechtoea Thats my point he was just more likeable for that time slot and audience.
@@JJ-nu8qi Jay was a lot more like Carson than the other two ever were. Those two wanted to host their own style of show. Jay ran his show like he was still guest hosting Johnny's show.
@@bechtoea Conan didn't get a chance. Leno's 10 pm show rapidly dropped off to become a ratings bomb. Leno took over for Carson, who had the only game in town for decades, and then years of benefiting from scripted dramas with good ratings as the pre-news lead-in. Conan had Leno's unwatched show and seven months. Not a recipe for success.
That said I'm honestly not sure if Conan would have ultimately succeeded at 11:35. For most of my life it's been the network time slot where comedy goes to die - played generally safe and extremely repetitive, often with the sensibilities of middle America in mind. Jay's existing audience certainly wasn't tailor-made for Conan. For the show to have found its ratings footing he would have needed time.
This is such a great episode
Jay's show was the most '90s' to me, w.e that means.. I think it was the most fun. When I think of Jay I think of things like Jim Carrey movies and playstation 1.. loved Jay and Kevin Eubanks
The show was *never the same* after Kevin Eubanks left with his band (shortly after he began his second stint).
I used to make sure to stay up late just to watch his headlines segment every Monday before going to bed. I recently found compilations of them on CZcams
always loved Conan . his Conan needs a friend podcast is great . he's just naturally funny .
100%
Yes indeed 😀
I’m Team Conan 100% too
Team Conan! 100%
Conan
For my money, Craig Ferguson is the best late night host we’ve had since Johnny. Craig is even over Sullivan.
1. Letterman. (He paved the way. He was the master). 2. tie between Ferguson and Conan. (Conan took some time to get there... but when he's on, he's top shelf). 3. Kimmel (went from Man Show flunky to actually being an unafraid, impactful presence.) .... I do not include Jon Stewart and his disciples in this list... they were different and BRILLIANT. The Daily Show and The Colbert Report were legendary shows.
@@johnmavroudis2054 I gotta disagree on a few points. I couldn’t stand Letterman, I just never found him really funny except for the interviews he did with Harmony, the director of Kids, those were hysterical. Jay wasn’t really my cuppa tea either. For my money it’s Carson, Ferguson, Norm, Leno, Conan, Letterman. I could watch Carson interviews all day long on here. Conan just gets way too annoying for me at times with the voices and stuff, but when he would interact with his staff, that was always good stuff. Ferguson was just brilliant imo, from Geoff to his flirting his way thru interviewing unrealistically gorgeous women to the way you could tell when the guest was a dud, but Craig turned it into a funny as hell talk. The original original Daily Show was ok, once it got overtly one sided politically, I lost interest real quick. Colbert is just awful, his Neo con character was pretty good, but he would take it too far, and now it’s just sad. Kimmel is a bigger joke than Fallon. Talk about overtly political with Kimmel and Colbert now, it’s like they are funded by the DNC and the DNC gets script approval. Going after politicians is good, it’s what they should do, but they treat the Ds like angels who do no wrong while the GOP are all racist scumbags. Then there’s the chunky Brit. Why he’s on TV I’ll never understand.
Letterman >>>>>>>
@@KelticTim If you didn’t find Letterman funny, that disqualifies you from voting.
@@johnmavroudis2054 Good for him, it's meaningless!
Jay was honest and had an interesting story. Bill Maher just likes listening to the sound of his own voice.
Saw Leno do a two hour standup in a small theatre and had the place rocking. Never used one swear word…not one. Class act.
He does 2 hours every Sunday in Hermosa Beach CA. It is so bad. I mean I guess it's ok for people 70 and up but that's about it. I took my mom and she had fun.
Yes, I believe he just started hosting the tonight show when he rolled thru Dayton for a Saturday night personal appearance. Clean and very funny. I'm old enough to remember Jack Parr and Johnny Carson. Johnny was amazing. But yes, Jay was a class act as well!
@@jesseycutter371 maybe you didn't UNDERSTAND the jokes!
Seinfeld said that swearing was a crutch (i'm paraphrasing)
It can be, but so can being “clean”
No one seems to have commented, but Jay thought of his crew and saw an opportunity for them to keep their income for at least two more years no matter the outcome of his 10pm show. For some on his staff that might have been enough time to make it to retirement, or for others to double their income for a time to save enough for a down payment on a house, or pay for their kids collage education. Plus in the end, that staff ended up working several more years than the 2 year guarantee tell Jay retired a 2nd time. It was a good business decision for his staff for sure.
Jay took a multi million dollar pay cut once so that his staff cutbacks wouldn't happen and they could all keep their jobs.
Thats a guy who actually thinks of others instead of the usual self. Getting rare in Hollywierd today I am sure.
yet he copes all the blame for nothing. All I see is Letterman and Conan having a sook like little girls
That’s true, and Conan has done just as much for his people as well.
Jay didn’t seem to care about Conan’s team that relocated to the west coast and then had a garbage lead in.
It's actually quite interesting to hear Jay's perspective on this whole thing. I've only ever heard Letterman's.
He only recently started talking about it. I wish him and Conan would reconcile at some point.
yeah it's riveting when Jay runs it back.
Jay was in fact the winner and the most reasonable too. He could have stayed longer or could have signed with a competing network and received a 50million dollar signing bonus but he remained civil and gracefully retreated
It was refreshing to hear Jay's take on the various skirmishes over The Tonight Show. I was a Dave fan. But I have to admit Jay kept that show at Number 1 and took it back to that spot upon his return. I only wish him well.
Also interesting how stupid Maher is when he is high.
Hope Jay Leno is recovering fast after that car fire prayers for him
Yeah he didn’t learn huh. Motorcycles are a lot more dangerous. He isn’t 20 anymore
@@fedfreds832 He seems to be doing alright
Bob Saget? Are you commenting from heaven?
fire prayers usually do the trick
Part of the story I think get's overlooked in the Johnny-Dave-Jay saga that Jay mentions here, is that Johnny was frequently gone in the last years. Jay was the "permanent" guest host and did over 300 episodes in the final years of Johnny's tenure. Some folks like to say it was always Dave's, but if you're a "permanent" guest host of a show for 300 episodes, why can't you make a run for it too?
It was never Dave's. He just thought it should be for some reason.
Johnny disliked Leno and was not HIS choice to take over the show.
I haven't watched late night TV in 20 years, but Jay was my favorite. Recently, I discovered Craig Ferguson's shows on CZcams and he's HILARIOUS. He's just so quick on his feet. Watch the interview with Jay Leno where Craig imitates Jay's Scottish mother. So funny.
i remember I first stumbled upon his show summer of 2011 when I was in high school. it was like nothing I had seen on late night, which was always so fake and scripted to me, within 10 minutes of watching Craig I was crying laughing, I was completely floored that a show like that existed, with cursing bunny puppets, dancing horses, him ripping up the "questions" he was supposed to ask guests and completely winging it. He was amazing
My dad used to let me stay up to watch Craig, I was so crushed when he stepped down but goddamn he is my number 2 next to Carson. Witty, quick on his feet, flirty, and just downright silly and surreal. Still love watching the clips on CZcams.
Craig is by far the best interviewer
@@ineedausernamenow999 Jay was the best of them in terms of doing a stand up comedy routine with new material nightly. In terms of actually interviewing guests, watch Gram Norton and you will quickly realize how contrived, fake and terrible all these American shows are at just having a real conversation.
@@YTAG33 the part that grossed me out about the interviews is the selling of women as sex objects. Scantily clad women paraded out to talk cute as opposed to real women coming out dressed like people and having a conversation. You know...the msm we're all trying to escape from.
Feud with Kimmel, Feud with Conan, Feud with Stern, Feud with Letterman. Arsenio Hall and Carson never spoke his name once they went off air.
Leno didn't have a feud with any of those guys. It takes two parties to have a feud.
@@stretch54 okay yes you're correct...Leno was too busy counting his $450 million
the common lenominator
Watch Jay's interview with Howie Mandel. Howie is basically livid with Jay on why Jay never explained the real truth about all the Tonight Show drama. The real story with Dave and especially Conan is completely backwards from the narrative accepted by the public. Apparently Jay never wanted to pour gas on the fire, so he never publicly defended himself.
Jay can't help it that these guys never stacked up to what the broadcasting company wanted. Jay gets blamed because the brass wanted Jay and or other people for the 12:30 slot. And stern was an ahole till his new style of interviews after seeking theropy, he was funny but in a total douche kinda way.
The only people who talk trash about Leno are the competition he beat and the fans of the competition he beat.
Multiple applicants for a job, 1 winner, rest are bitter about losing the job. Company hires new manager, realize it doesn't work out, ask the old manager back to right the ship. It's just business.
Holy shit! Finally someone with credentials gave Craig Ferguson his over due props ! That dude was fascinating! A lady killler……chicks went lo lo over him and he was sharp funny and kick back……
That dude had a mind that worked even faster than Letterman. Which is incredible. I didn't want to like him, but damn! Watching him doing shit gameshows is too depressing. What a waste.
And he was Scottish.
The lady's flirted with him something fierce. It was awesome.
Craig has always been my fav. Nice to see him being mentioned again.
Leno is clearly a great guy (keeping his staff working) and was entitled to keep working. Sore losers have always been a thing.
I love and appreciate that Bill is completely stoned and is not afraid of showing it. LOL. Jay is a great guest and was very forthcoming. I really enjoy this format. Great show!
I think they both are lol
Hes just copying Joe Rogan of which there's only one
@@franklyandrewjames copying? these two have been around well before Rogan. lmao
@@volourn9764 think...... you can do it
So, Maher's stoned. Big deal. Who isn't these days ? He's an empty suit. Leno didn't have to do this. Disappointed in him. Maher is the usual jerk.
Get Conan and letterman on to tell their side, Kimmel’s dislike for Jay is deeper than just being a “letterman guy”
Kimmel just hates Leno because his best buddy Howard Stern hates Leno too.
no one cares anymore. all of that squabble and bs happened too many years ago for the majority of people to gve a shit about.
In fairness, they have been telling their side of the story for many years. Jay has stayed largely quiet as he usually does. At the end of the day, it was NBC making stupid decisions at the top and then trying to reverse them. A lot of people were mad at Jay because he took back the role of tonight show host for a few years after Conan was let go. However, I've not seen many claim Conan did well on the tonight show. He didn't. There was something off, like they couldn't get going and the writing was on the wall fast. There was a reason NBC let Conan go in the end that can't be blamed on Jay.
In hindsight, it worked out because Conan on TBS was fantastic!!! He was so comfortable there and produced some of the best skits and interviews in the past decade+ of late night TV. He bounced back hard, while Jay retired from hosting and spends his time doing stand up and working on his cars. It worked out lol.
@C L What did Kimmel help Jay with?
It's arrogance. He's one of many comedians who look down at Jay, they think he sucks but can't comprehend that he always was no.1 in ratings.
I like how Bill shuts up and lets his guests talk.
This really adds information to all of the speculation from this time period. I wish he would've come out much sooner with this.
"The War For Late Night: When Leno Went Early & Television Went Insane" by Bill Carter is an excellent account of what happened during that period.
Yeah, take it with a grain of salt. Leno was forced to come back? Hardly
@@JohnSmith-oe5kx To 11:35, you mean? When they proposed doing 30 minutes and bumping Conan to 12:05am, Jay asked if he could get out of his contract. *NBC* told him no. So, he couldn't just ealk away, and nobody can possibly expect Jay to risk being taken to court for breach of contract to suit the guy whose decision cost him "TTS" in the first place.
I hate when people make Leno seem like he was evil for doing what he did.
Like Kimmel or Colbert wouldn’t have said yes on the spot if they were offered The Tonight Show at that moment either.
I think it goes beyond that and enters into his undercutting Conan the, 'Red-headed Barbarian'
@@buckchile614
It was an ugly thing, no question about it.
But when Comcast offers you a dump truck of money….. I don’t think anyone would say no.
@@buckchile614 "Undercutting" Conan? Conan, for whatever reason, wasn't getting the expected ratings with the Tonight show. They screwed with the time slot a bit, which was NBC's idea, not Jay's, but it still didn't work. Maybe it was the shift in the market, maybe the writing, my own personal view is that Conan is best when he is being zany. I think his bits and sketches are fondly remembered far more often than his interviews. The tonight show is different. But whatever, it happened, nobody was happy with it, and rather than bet on a new horse they brought back Leno for a little while. If you were offered a gazillion dollars to do something you already know how to do well, are you going to turn it down?
And what if Leno had turned it down, then what? There was already too much blood in the water, Conan was out. NBC simply would have gotten a new host, perhaps Fallon earlier, perhaps someone else, instead of Conan. And for all of Conan's tears, he was paid out an enormous sum for himself and his crew. Reportedly $33 million for Conan, and $12 million to his staff of about 200 people (roughly $65,000 each averaged out...not bad considering a lot of those staffers would go on to work for Conan on TBS.)
But somehow Leno is the bad guy who just refused to give up the Tonight Show...which is an odd assertion given that he would end up giving up the Tonight Show anyway in 2014.
Buckwheat Breath Conie Baloney IS hilarious imo BUT he was a whiney red headed freak on these issues
@@kev3d That money breakdown of what went to Conan and what he paid his staff is really fascinating to read. Where did you come by it?
Jay kept the "Tonight Show" as close to Carson's "Tonight Show" as anyone could replicate it.Letterman would not have--different style.Conan,different style.Fallon's "Tonight Show" is like watching Romper Room compared to Carson hosting it. A lot of people didn't like Leno,but he DID keep the show as Johnny Carson had done it.I give him credit for that.
I like leno, stopped watching when Conan took over and Fallon is just not funny to me. I watch kimmel, Seth myers, and Colbert even though colbert isn't as funny as he was on the Colbert report.
So glad you commented about Fallon's show being like watching Romper Room. He was funny on Saturday Night Live, but as a talk show host???
Simply stated---NO.
@@susanlandsman9572 he was not funny on SNL. He’s never been funny.
"Romper Room", you said it best! Cannot stand any of the late night shows or the hosts....Miss Johnny and Jay.
You Can Tell Jay Was Very FIRED Up About This Topic, You Could Definitely See The FLAMES In His Eyes When Discussing About Kimmel. Don't Get So HEATED Leno, We Love You Dude(: Wouldn't Wanna See You All BURNT Out Over A HOT Conversation.
Don't *quit* your day job, drunk.
@@gallery7596 Thank You Thank You😄 & I'm Pretty Sure You Meant "Quit" & Not "Quite"
@@drunkpunk313 Oh, yeah. My bad. I'll rephrase.
Your attempt at humor was kind of nauseating.
Cheers, drunk. :)
@@gallery7596 Thank You! I Do Dabble Into Crass Humor QUITE Often, But Anyways Cheers To You As Well Awesome Person(:
I started watching Jay Leno because 2pac mentioned him on a song
I LOVED Conan in the 90’s, but it got stale in the 2000’s, and then I found Craig Ferguson. Pure genius. Never cared for Jay Leno, but he is a class act who has been painted as a villain.
Ferguson was a nothing. Kimmel isn’t funny, and Jay was a corn ball and backstabber. Conan and Lettermen were the only post Carson talents. I won’t even mention that little mouse on NBC. I will say this Kimmel is the worst of the bunch.
Conan was the best in the 2000’s
@@Paul-dw2cl I dunno. All those classic bits dreamed up in the 90’s were never rivaled after Andy Richter left in 2000. Pimpbot, Masturbating Bear, In the year 2000, Driving his desk, Triumph the insult comic dog, Staring contest, Fake Arnold Schwarzenegger in the live feed. When Richter left, some of that comic chemistry magic went with him. I can’t think of a 2000s era bit that’s as memorable as those early days. Ferguson had amazing chemistry with his guests and a fast wit.
Jay’s a douche.
Ferguson was actual, uncut late night. He'd pick up on his guests, talk shit right to their faces, and get some of the guests completely weirded out by the insane stuff he said out loud. How he's not the king of late night with these other three delicate wisps is beyond me
Him and Conan were very similar that way, they had their own off-beat style of comedy that was infinitely entertaining to watch, and always very engaging with the guests. Jay tho, it beats me how he was number 1 for so long with his pompous attitude and lack of real humour or identity. It was truly enjoyable watching Kimmel grill Jay on his own show lol. One of the few times I've laughed at and applauded Kimmel.
I can’t stand the coward Kimmel
Jay was very neutral with his opinions, he made jokes about both sides of the political spectrum equally. I think he was a giant and his network knew it and wanted to squeeze every bit of value he had out of him. He did the best he could, and when he expressed his desire to retire everyone was bitter with him for making a choice for himself. I’m glad he avoided the people who wanted to take advantage of him and eventually retired like he wanted.
It's a shame, though, that the network tried to forcibly retire Jay before his time when they made their 2004 deal with Conan so he could have "The Tonight Show." And they placed Jay in an even more awkward position by imploring him not to complain about it publicly which could've hurt Conan's image with the "Tonight Show" audience.
At least in 2014 Jay was actually ready to retire from the show.
@@gallery7596 Agreed. Sometimes, Hollywood wants to milk an individual for every ounce of their worth. They don’t care what bridges they burn, or the trauma they cause. They just care about dollar signs. Jay was able to put his foot down and walk out when he wanted. That’s very respectable.
I still remember he did some tame ass Obama joke and there was a lot of calls to get him fired as he was alluded to being a Right Wing Bigoted Racist.
This started early on with the Media in the Obama admin. Remember the first month with the Rodeo Clown. Yeah it was a spicy act, but as soon as they found out that it was the same act he'd been doing about all the presidents for the prior 20 years, they needed to stop calling it Racist and calling it....Equality.
And yes they actually did do this, but they only did it once out of every 50 times. And then would just og on as if they never realized the Truth of the Matter.
Dude had to go into hiding for his Life. There were many such hypocritical Divisive moments by the media during that admin (he was basically Bush in Black face as he doubled down on every singled hated Bush Policy, yet got nothing but Love where Bush got Hate)
the networks chose to go political because thats the way the ownership wanted it.
But there's just so much material on the Orangatang man that got impeached twice though. And how about Marjorie Taylor Green, Mat Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley? There's just so much material on the Republicans side these days 😂😂
I was always a devoted fan of The Tonight Show when Carson hosted, but strayed when Jay took over. I only tuned in when he had a guest I wanted to see. Jay was never my cup of tea...a little too corporate, slick, over-polished and safe. He wasn't edgy. When he retired I started watching his Jay Leno's Garage online and absolutely loved it - and came to admire the guy for being a real genuine person - not the network TV show host he formerly was.
That's fair enough. To this day its sad Conan wasn't really given a decent chance on Late Night as he's been the only host, along with Dave and Craig, who have been able to truly make me laugh out loud and watch their stuff again and again on CZcams.
Jay Leno has more class in his little finger than Kimmel has or will ever has in his entire being
Ferguson was the best guy at that job since Johnny Carson.
Also hands down the best interviewer on any talk show ever.
I love Conan but unless he knows the guest he kinda goes into autopilot during every interview, most guys do.
Conan is still the best with comedians
It's all the same.. bring someone on and talk to them
Nah that's Conan. Ferguson was really godo or a foul asshole. Little in between
@@calholli yeah but some are funnier than others. Amber heard would be good at it
@@kendallandrews8691 I don't think she would make it, her dog did step on a bee you know.
All I know is that as a kid my brother and I would sneak out of bed to watch the show and we would laugh so loud we always got busted. It was better in the summer because it was less trouble and I could more peacefully drink my hot mint tea, eat fruit loops and watch Jay Leno. Those were the days. I grieved so much when he went off the air and had no choice but to name my cat after him so the joyous nights could always live on. I loved the silly news clips and will never forget the one about the cops rolling through KFC and ordering extra biscuits. Hanging out with my brother in childhood late nights were the best memories
Letterman destroys Leno as far as a show went….both were incredible stand up comedians, Jay seems to be more of a regular “dude” though
Jaywalking segment was the best !
Love your post 😊
You were a kid drinking hot mint tea? The fuck..
@@cavemanvi well, yeah. It’s been a life long favorite
I didn't even know there was a feud ... I would pick Team Leno over Kimmel.
Thanks to Leno for the shout out to Craig Ferguson.
Craig Ferguson was the funniest and most talented host out of them all. The only thing with Craig is sometimes he had a lot of dead space in conversation because he didn’t follow a Question Card at all, and he had way too much sexual innuendos. But If Craig refined his style a bit and got some more Production on his Show I think he would’ve surpassed even Johnny Carson as the GOAT!
all Ferguson did was hit on his female guests, which was 90% of his guests
I mean he kinda teaches you free game. Women like him.
No one will ever surpass Johnny; it's just not possible!
That’s what made his show so cool, you called him the funniest and then tore down his two best qualities. That’s what most real conversations with strangers are, awkward and unpredictable.
@@rishabhaniket1952 I didn’t tear him down at all, I love Craig and his sex innuendos and awkward silences, it’s super fun! I’m saying if he had some prepared questions and lightened up on the innuendos, and got more production he could have been more mainstream, for all audiences, and maybe even topped Johnny! 🙂
This was a great interview. Loved it and really love Leno.
Really? I think that Jay really came off as being disingenuous in this interview. Basically said two times that he should’ve reached out and made amends with Conan and Kimmel but just never did and maybe that’s why they do not like me.
Yeah, that might be it Jay.
@@anthonymg73 It's not why I don't like him. But it's obviously one of the reasons Conan and Kimmel don't like him. He says that he should have reached out to them, but he didn't, and he doesn't know why???? Who would know the reason why better than him? He's as insincere as they come.
@@anthonymg73 I can see how he should've done a follow up with Kimmel. But Jay should've been making amends to Conan? Conan's the one who made a deal with *NBC* that was forcibly retiring Jay- the guy who discouraged *NBC* from firing Conan during his early low-rated days as host of ''Late Night." And Jay didn't publicly rant about it the way he could've, thereby sparing Conan all kinds of criticism from Jay's fans and the "The Tonight Show" audience. But Jay is the one who should've reached out and made amends to Conan? I never understand why Conan gets a pass for his questionable decisions that contributed to the creation of that debacle.
I wonder how bad interview would look like to you then.
@@anthonymg73 lol Letterman and Conan are both sooks, seriously get over it. Jay was better, he won. He shouldn't need to explain sh*t
Bill is doing his best to drag a very interesting conversation off topic. If what Leno is saying is true he was unfairly labelled a backstabber by Kimmel, Letterman and Conan.
Maher's always been in Jay's corner concerning the Conan debacle. When both Conan and Letterman were speaking out against him, Bill said:
"You're not a kid who got his ice cream knocked to the ground by Jay Leno. He beat you for something."
I respect Jay Leno being upfront about the “it is what it is” late night battles with Conan
Is it just me or has Leno not really aged in about 20 years?
It’s because he has Benjamin Button Chin Disease
Yes, he turned 70 at 50
he has aged like crazy
He doesn't drink or smoke weed or anything
Poor lighting.
I have no problem with Jay looking out for himself first. Who wouldn't, that's business. Look out for #1.
Kimmel is a pain beyond measure.....
Bill might be a little too stoned here lol.
Craig Ferguson interviewing Kate Mara was pure gold.
Never got Jay or Bills humor, no disrespect to either. No one in my opinion could ever replace Carson. Actually I couldn't care less about all these multimillionaires
Craig was the best, funniest and most entertaining late night show. I miss Craig.
Cracks me up he is STONED 🤣🤣
Jay: "Then we became friends"
Kimmel: "We are not friends"
BEST Talk Show Hosts: Carson, Letterman, and a tie between Conan and Ferguson for 3rd. Legends all. But Kimmel is moving up, too.
None of these lists include Jon Stewart who belongs on any top-shelf discussion in legendary TV hosts. What he did (and the spin offs like The Colbert Report) was absolutely BRILLIANT.
Agree. What I also notice is that not one single person has mentioned the current TS host Jimmy Fallon. I’m not shocked . Really never got him on SNL and think he’s just as out of place on the talk show Carson ruled .
Love jay Leno! My favorite. Ferguson was very good also
And they even became friends.
His hair is amazing
Always loved your show Jay an also Letterman 😆😘 they were the Best ‼️❤️💙💞🇺🇸
Jay was the last of a dying breed. He made fun of both sides, it wasn’t vitriolic.
Uh, almost everyone on late night makes fun of both sides when they deserve it, actually. The left gets flack for their over wokeness (rightly). The right just gets far more ridicule because they are OBJECTIVELY more ridiculous. This is the party that nominated Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger for high level government positions all while “hating Hollywood elites” 🤣
@@Skankhunt42.... you’re an insane person if you think the late night shows today are anything more than propaganda and one sided. It is what it is, I don’t watch. But it’s nothing like it was when it was Leno, Letterman, and Carson
@@captdaddy lol. I’m a sucker for a giant chin, what can I say
Can we get conan and letterman on now to tell their side of the story?
What’s been keeping THEM quiet? 😄
If they had a more interesting version they’d have told it by now.
Letterman has told his side many times, despite trying to act like he's too cool to do such things. And he did it publicly on the Late Show, for everybody to see. He's sh*t on Leno repeatedly and with great enthusiasm.
@@JustSomeCanadianGuy and Conan literally made a documentary about it.
@@JustSomeCanadianGuy I meant on the show with Bill just like Jimmy Kimmel told his side.
Yes please
Thing is Jays shows aren’t something you want to rewatch. Unlike the others.
I think that's open to debate.
*House Carpenter:* "I’m sure it is"
Then House Carpenter probably shouldn't be saying Jay's shows aren't something you want to rewatch. Makes House Carpenter sound like he/she is speaking for everybody.
@@gallery7596 I’m sure it is
You barely get to hear Leno speak openly and when you do is transparent/legit/even good! He should done that back in the day. Displaying substance goes a long way
I loved Jay Leno!
Yesss
Norm MacDonald would have been funnier than all of them.
I watched the 10 pm show. They should have made it a variety like Carols show. No talk just skits and a musical guest. Only once a week
Jay explains everything very clearly. Haters never understood.
God Jay sounds completely full of shit. He acts like he had nothing to do and he just stood around waiting for everything to flesh out around him.
@@cainpitt "The War For Late Night: When Leno Went Early & Television Went Insane" by Bill Carter. 👍
Its not hate its jealousy and ego
“So, this is how I pitched it…I mean how it happened”. Jay Leno
Craig Ferguson for me was the funniest guy ever! say for example Craig Ferguson was not a comedian or in showbiz, the man would still be super funny. Thanks a lot to youtube that I am able to view all of Craig’s late late show episodes whenever I want. No one else even comes close.
This is such an odd take. It’s like saying if Lebron didn’t play basketball, he’d still be an amazing ball player 🤔
@@RoamingHeathen well being funny isn’t activity like playing basketball per say. Craig is naturally a funny guy. I am sure there are people who might be as good or better than Jordan in real life who never made it pro
He asked Zucker if Letterman has the job. As in 26 year old, 2 years with the company Zucker? I'm supposed to believe that Jay Leno asked some random 26 year old field producer for the Today Show (which he was at the time) who will be the next host of the Tonight Show? And that this same 26 year old field producer actually knew the answer? Okey dokey.
I can hear Leno spinning things, oh Jay you haven't changed
It's not spin. Read The Late Shift by Bill Carter. Letterman never went after the Tonight Show and was never offered it. He just sat around assuming that somebody would put it in his lap and then when it didn't happen, he was outraged. It's not at all clear he could have gotten it if he tried, but he didn't try.
@@GDuncan8002Correct. He himself once said that he had a meeting with an NBC executive and the meeting ended with the exec asking Dave if there was anything he would like to talk about and Dave said he didn’t.
Years later, he wondered if he should have said that he wanted to take over the Tonight Show.
After all, he told Merrill Markoe that was his goal on their first date.
It must be extremely exhausting to talk to Bill when he is that baked :D
I still watch Leno on his car shows !!!
Hear-Here!!
I love Conan I think he should’ve gotten it. He’s a GD National treasure, he’s incredibly underrated. I wish him more success.
Conan is the best but he's madly rich and just sold his company for a TON of money. He's not hurting and he has his own podcast now.
This is coming from a Conan fan... he's really the only late night guy I liked.
I never understood the appeal of Conan.
Do you...bark about everything that doesn’t make your tail wag for a living wage? How lucrative is this? Should I apply?
I love Conan but I wouldn't say he's underrated.
👀 👀 simpleton tv
Craig Ferguson vs. Conan O’Brien at 11:30 would have been something to see.
Leno hit the nail on the head. Conan was truly brilliant. But when Craig came along…NO ONE was ever going to hold a candle to him. Craig might be the single greatest talk show host of the past 25 years.