DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum NBC Sets Date for Jay Leno's Last Show

http://tv.yahoo.com/the-tonight-show-wit...8825d__ER:78408

By Marcus Errico
Mon Jul 21, 7:43 AM PDT

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.

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I hope Jay stays on with someone...I'll miss him. I've tried watching Conan and I found him completely unwatchable. Must be an age thing.

I guess I don't understand the bruhaha.. Leno announced that he was retiring from the Tonight show in 2009.. Does the actual date of the last show really matter all that much? And why shouldn't the network decide those things in the way its best for the network?

I guess I don't see any issue!

jimmy fallon? c'mon, the guy's worthless

i am glad to see conan get the nod, he's the best late night talk guy right now

Not a big Conan fan either and I'll miss Jay.. heck, I still miss Carson

17 years! It is hard to imagine it will have been that long. I caught most of the Tonight Shows during Carson's final year. After he left I never got back into watching late night talk shows.

I've never been a Leno fan. Sorry he's leaving for those of you that are.

I find Conan a great interviewer and he has some awesome random comedy. ... but I don't like his Monologues...

I tend to like Craig Ferguson's Monologues a whole bunch better.

I think Jay ends up on ABC considering how Buddy Buddy he's been with Jimmy Kimmel as of late.

I find Conan more painful than dealing with hemmoroids, while sitting in a room full of Steeler fans

I thought Leno wanted to retire?

Conan is the man.

Nothing against Leno but I find Conan waaaay funnier, really though I think Craig Ferguson is the best of all of them, even if he does rag on my British relatives a lot

KING

I love when Conan drives the desk

You can actually do that if you tour the studio.

All of them bow down to Kimmel...

I'm sure Jay is back in late night sometime soon. My guess is Fox.

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Not a big Conan fan either and I'll miss Jay.. heck, I still miss Carson

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I don't care for Conan either.. not at all. Not my cup of tea. Jay was good,, CARSON WAS THE BEST EVER!

Neither Conan or Jay know how to interview a guest..

As for Fallon,, I'll give him a chance.. Who knows, he may surprise.

I haven't watched any significant amount of late night TV since Carson. He was the last and only one, IMHO, that was worth staying up for; although Letterman was great for a while.
He shoulda got the nod over Leno. Never understood Leno getting that gig over Letterman.

Wow... Finally. 16 1/2 years too late.

Maybe because Letterman sucked as bad as the Bengals for the last 15 years

I don't know about that, I would watch Letterman over Leno, any day of the week. I am rarely up when these programs are on but when I am, Letterman is my choice when I view, which is rare anyways but I always liked Letterman's top 10 list some of those are damn funny.

I would watch a lifetime movie before I would watch Letterman

I like David Letterman, too.

You do realize that Bengal fans love Letterman

Conan! Conan! Conan!... Love the dude, watched him since I went to college in '98 fairly religiously. He'll be fine

Love Letterman too as some have said - watch him any day over Leno. The "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" bit is probably the best bit out there and Allan Kulter (sp), the announcer, is hilarious. In fact, the only time I'll watch Leno is if he has someone who interests me on there. Like Will Ferrell or someone like that

Fallon will work out. He'll play to the younger crowd like Conan does and has for awhile then in 20 years or so he'll be in the 11:30 slot.

I never watched Leno, don't find him entertaining in the least. Letterman is very funny, that's the only one I watch.

I thought Leno was funny doing stand up.. I don't watch any of the late night hosts unless I see a guest I'm particularly interested in seeing.