LENO CONCEDES: NBC TRY TO SHORTEN HIS TENURE ON TONIGHT-YEARS AGO.
-They wanted to give the job to Conan O'Brien,as early as thirty-six months ago.
From UPI-
U.S. comedian Jay Leno says NBC executives originally planned for him to serve as host of The Tonight Show for a shorter time.
Leno, who will premiere his new prime time TV series on NBC next week,
said he was informed by NBC officials- five years ago- that they wanted to
replace him with comedian Conan O'Brien within three years, The New York Times
reported Saturday.
"Actually, they wanted me out in three years," said Leno, who departed
the Tonight Show in May. "I had to argue to get the other two. Oh, yeah.
I said: 'Let's make it five. You want me out? I'll do five.'"
Leno's recollection of those past events has been questioned by Rick
Ludwin, NBC's executive in charge of late-night programs.
"That is definitely not my recollection," Ludwin said. "I don't
remember three years being mentioned."
Now both sides are betting on the success of The Jay Leno Show with
NBC heavily promoting the new prime time series due to premiere Tonight.
"It's just so embarrassing," Leno told the Times of his response to
the wealth of "Leno" promotions. "It's a genetic fault that makes you go into
show business. It's not a plus."
