Jay Leno's Last Day

[TN TITAN Fan In STL]

Whether he likes it or not, Jay Leno's got a date for his final Tonight: May 29, 2009.

NBC today set the calendar for the funnyman's mandatory retirement as part of a timetable for the network's rejiggered night-owl plans.

Heir apparent Conan O'Brien will be installed as Tonight Show overlord on June 1. O'Brien will abdicate his Late Night desk in the spring, most likely March or April, and move from New York to Los Angeles to prepare for his new duties.

Jimmy Fallon in turn will take over Late Night sometime in the spring, after a practice run online.

NBC will air O'Brien-fronted Late Night reruns until Fallon is deemed up to speed.

Facing questions about the much-publicized possibility of the supposedly disgruntled Leno taking his late-night antics—and possibly his sizable audience—with him to ABC, NBC Entertainment cochairs Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff stuck to their guns.

"We really believe in the decisions we've made with our partners, including Jay," Silverman told reporters at the Television Critics Assn. gathering.

In a subsequent statement, NBC tried to give props to the departing Leno, as well as the new hosts.

"The Tonight Show has a remarkable history rich in tradition. We're proud of each and every show Jay has shared with America as we look forward to Conan carrying on that outstanding tradition next year," said Rick Ludwin, NBC's chief late-night programmer.

"We also can't wait for Jimmy to showcase his winning style following Conan. Jay has left his personal stamp on The Tonight Show for what will be 17 years. He is enormously creative, generous and professional."

Leno didn't immediately comment on the network-imposed timeframe.

We're guessing he's too generous and professional to let us know how he really feels.

[cuse_man]

thats too bad... lenos the ****in man.

obrien should just take over lettermans show cause hes ****ing awful

[The Judge]

Leno is a hack and I will be glad to see him gone.

[Dr. Jack]

Not a huge LEno fan, I love Kimmel but NBC is making a foolish mistake here if you ask me

[uva3021]

no conan is so goot, can't wait

not a big leno fan

[dave nz]

Never heard of him, O'Brien that is.

[happyme]

Leno is only thought to be funny because he looks funny.
O'Brien sucks. Can't stand his witlessness.
Letterman still king of late night. I especially like his Great Moments in Presidential Speeches segment, and will miss it when W is no longer providing material for him.
Fallon I predict will not last. Seacrest should have got that job. It's a no brainer, since the others would give him a lot of free publicity with the gay jokes.

[be47320]

leno steals all his bits and employees from stern

[drewshow]

they should bring back Carson. He was good.

[mikkii10]

if o'brien had a brain he be dangerous ,But if they want to put a half witt in there thats there problem and when does take over the shows ratings will drop like fly's.No one like's that F***king clown

[be47320]

Originally Posted by mikkii10

if o'brien had a brain he be dangerous ,But if they want to put a half witt in there thats there problem and when does take over the shows ratings will drop like fly's.No one like's that F***king clown

conan > leno

[oakas]

The only thing good on Leno is his Headline News on Monday nights.

[cuse_man]

anyone that can laugh with letterman has to be at least over 80 years old... the guys a joke so king of late night... maybe for senior citizens that can laugh at some of the most corny jokes of all time.

[cuse_man]

You may have heard that Jay Leno upped the ante yesterday at the NBC executive press conference, appearing in a prosthetic bald cap, beard and glasses looking like James Lipton's older brother and harassed the folks who write him those large checks with questions.

[be47320]

Originally Posted by cuse_man

You may have heard that Jay Leno upped the ante yesterday at the NBC executive press conference, appearing in a prosthetic bald cap, beard and glasses looking like James Lipton's older brother and harassed the folks who write him those large checks with questions.

unfunny stuff like that is why he is being replaced, he does the same shit they do on the stern show but he is able to make it not funny