Jay Leno recently reflected on a pivotal moment that ignited a long-standing professional rivalry with Jimmy Kimmel, delving into the circumstances surrounding an on-air exchange that continues to resonate today.
During a recent appearance on “In Depth With Graham Bensinger,” Leno, 64, discussed his decision not to edit out Kimmel’s pointed remarks during a 2010 episode of “The Jay Leno Show.” The comments centered around the contentious period when Conan O’Brien briefly succeeded Leno as host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” before ultimately departing.
“When Kimmel came on my show and essentially criticized me, I let it air. I didn’t cut it,” Leno stated candidly. “Looking back, it was a mistake in judgment – trusting someone I shouldn’t have. But I accepted the consequences. We could have easily removed that segment from the broadcast.”
Bensinger questioned why he chose not to intervene, and Leno responded, “Because it happened. It felt real—a genuine event. It was my error, and that’s where you learn.” He dismissed the notion that allowing the exchange to occur was a strategic move for “good TV,” explaining, “It sparked something ongoing, really. But ultimately, he’s a comedian; people do what they need to do. I wouldn’t have done it myself, but it is what it is.”
The roots of the feud trace back to 2009 when Leno stepped down from “The Tonight Show” to pave the way for O’Brien. In return, Leno received his own primetime talk show. However, declining ratings for both programs led NBC to propose a shift in schedules that would have moved Leno’s show back into late night and pushed “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” to an earlier time slot. O’Brien refused the proposal and left NBC, leading to Leno’s return as host of “The Tonight Show.”
This sequence of events resulted in considerable public criticism directed at both Leno and NBC. Kimmel, a vocal supporter of O’Brien, seized upon the opportunity during his appearance on “The Jay Leno Show” to openly challenge Leno’s role in the situation.
Kimmel humorously referenced the incident years later during an episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” teasing guest Ben Affleck with a playful jab. As Affleck walked onstage, Kimmel remarked, “You have that look… like you’re wondering what I’m going to do next.” He then added a recollection of a Christmas gathering where both he and Leno found themselves awkwardly making small talk with the actor.
Affleck recalled the uncomfortable atmosphere, stating, “It was like, ‘This is already painful enough. What’s weird? Have you guys been feuding publicly for years?'”
Despite the past tensions and public exchanges, Kimmel revealed in 2017 that he and Leno had reconciled following the birth of his son, William John, who required emergency heart surgery.
Kimmel attributed his initial negative perspective towards Leno to his admiration for David Letterman, who also aspired to host “The Tonight Show” after Johnny Carson’s retirement but ultimately chose to join CBS when Leno was selected. He acknowledged, “I started off with a skewed view—seeing Jay as the villain and Dave as the hero, fueled by my fandom and reading about it in Bill Carter’s book. But I’ve softened my stance over time, recognizing Jay’s success and longevity.”
Ultimately, Kimmel concluded, “You can’t deny his achievements. He was one of my favorite comedians growing up.”
