Jay Leno's ABC Future Discussed On "Jimmy Kimmel"

Jimmy Kimmel hosted his potential replacement Thursday night, and didn't ignore the elephant in the room.

"Joining us on the show tonight, the host of 'The Tonight Show' and who knows, maybe even the host of this show evenutally, Jay Leno is here tonight!" Kimmel intro'ed. "First I'm gonna try to convince him not to come take the show away from us, and then I'm going to ask if I can be his announcer."

"I don't know what will happen," Leno said when asked about the possibility of coming to ABC when his NBC contract is up next year. "I'm not allowed to talk to anybody until next-whatever."

Kimmel jokingly suggested that Leno should focus on writing books or getting back into standup when he leaves "The Tonight Show."

"I'm not a good guy with free time," Leno said.

Watch:

Jay Leno's run on "The Tonight Show" ends next year, and many people think there may be a future for him at ABC (he hinted at this possibility in July).

Comments

[MarshFinch]

Cancel Nightline, give Jay the 11:30 slot, move Kimmel to 12:30. He's hitting his stride, but Jay would be a sure bet.

[shirleyfeeney]

I have been a loyal Letterman watcher for decades. I never understood why Leno got TTS in the first place outside of politics, and can't stomach his show at all, no matter who the guest is. I've also seen Jimmy Kimmel's show, and have to say I've found it very funny. He is great, and I'd hate to see him lose his show to Leno. At least when Dave is a repeat I have something to watch with Kimmel.

I'd hate to see one highly underrated show get lost in all of this, and that's Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show. I DVR that frequently, and really enjoy it. I'd love to see that show get a better time slot so us over 40s can actually watch it once in a while!

[dansama]

Jimmy is awesome, he took an ABC's late night spot that couldn't compete with Letterman and Leno and has done great. To say that he is not as good as two hosts that are the quintessential late night hosts and have been so for decades is unfair. I think you have to respect Kimmel for how hard of a job he had and how he made it his own. I hope ABC doesn't ditch him for Leno, but this is TV and they don't know the word loyalty.

[AnHonestAnswer]

Jimmy Kimmel has no business being on television. He would be the fourth or fifth funniest guy on a dorm room floor. He is not smart. His interviews are vapid. Why is he on TV?

Jay Leno will be taking over ABC deservedly so. He's funny, smart and a star!

XO

[HatingTheGame]

Thanks Stuttering John. Trying to ensure your job as a coffee cup hoister and goofy smiler, eh?

[LeaveArtieAlone]

LMAO!!!!! HTG, that was brilliant!

[ColinInLa]

A return to someone with interview skills ala Paar, Snyder or Cavett or even Costas would be terrific. But America embraces the bland and just isn't much on 'thoughtful' these days.

Jay used to be funny. But on the job training as an interviewer hasn't really worked out too well.

[yorkie]

I think late night tv may be in for a long term overhaul,,,,LENO has not really been that great,, too loud and stand up type to be good interviewer,,,,,CONAN has no second act after his wacky bits fade,,,,I bet he lasts 2-3 yrs at best,,,,,I hope the Tonight Show returns to NYC where CONAN currently does his show,,,The world of biz, politics,,etc is centered there and near WASH,DC...and LETTERMAN I bet won't be on too much longer..wonder though if wacky Scotsman Craig Ferguson can take over with his show???? The networks seem to be behind the times as Comedy Central with both Stewart and Colbert are the hits and future of interview with comedy shows,,,,,With O soon to be in WHT HSE AMERICANS seem to be returning to wanting people with brains, wit and thoughtful conversations as well...Hopefully a return to a JACK PAAR type of show/host,,,,,I also hope along with being back in NYC,,that the TONIGHT SHOW returns to doing it LIVE !

[LollieDotCom]

Yorkie, great name. My Yorkie is adorable. A teacup sized dog with a teakettle's worth of fight.

We have a lot in common because we both remember Paar. I'd sneak into the living room after the other kids were asleep and hide behind a chair, peeking out and watching till my mother would notice me. I was watching the night he quit. I'll never forget how my mother cried that night. So you can see how I've loved that show all my life.

Jay Leno is GREAT in that chair. He was my choice to replace Johnny before he was Johnny's permanent replacement choice. And when he leaves it, I'll switch to where ever he goes. My daughter watches him religiously too. For us, he IS the Tonight Show.

[auramac]

Conan is funny. But he's no Letterman. Leno was funny before he took the Tonight Show and started wearing suits. I think Leno should go back to standup, do some HBO specials, turn his Conservative badge in and get edgy again. No more talk shows, though. He was best as a guest on Letterman! Conan should not try to become Leno, or sell out to the earlier time slot. Letterman will hopefully keep going- he's the one I'll be watching.

[LollieDotCom]

Conservative? You mean like politically? Not so much. Remember the night Carter was on and he couldn't yet endorse Obama but he did say that all of his kids and grandkids were for Obama? hint hint. Jay immediately followed with the fact that he couldn't say who he was for either, but then asked Kevin - Obama, then the other guy - Obama, oh yeah and the band and the writers, Obama. hint hint.

Have you seen one honest, intelligent, in touch with reality person who wasn't for Obama? Me neither. :)

[adampap]

i think he meant conservative in terms of his comic material.

[anonimost]

Jay in entertaining and regular TV puts limits on what he can say. He'd probably be a bit more edgy on cable. Sorry to see him forced out. Conan is just too nasal and unattractive for my ears and eyes. Sorry!

[twokidsonecat]

I agree - Conans show has always been dreadful. I can't watch it.

[meede]

I watch Conan about once every three months to confirm he's still bad. He's repetitive with his opening tricks. It's old. Like a soap opera -- you can tune in ever 3 months or so and pick the story up. He'll fall flat.

Anonimost -- Jay isn't being forced out. He announced he was leaving in whatever number of years it was. He did it to himself and then there was no turning back. The network went on to hire Conan. Mistake. The other mistake is Jimmy Falin getting Conan's. Even a worse mistake. The network can kiss their latenight goodbye.

[LollieDotCom]

Conan has his really funny moments, but that thing he does with the fake strings attached to his hips literally makes me too nauseas to watch him. Sometimes I'll watch him after he's sitting down because he hardly ever does it once he's been seated.

Actually I should have a youtube clip of him doing that on my cell phone and watch it just before I order every time I eat out.

[hilaritee]

jay leno is not funny and he is a horrible interviewer. abc would be crazy to replace kimmel with leno, unless they are looking for a very old demographic.

[damnadamson]

Not going to happen ... Leno is no Kimmel !! ya he is a horrible interview. Leno looked nervous and I wonder why ... unless he knows something we don't know hmmmmmmmmmm !!!

[macbabe]

Leno has been a stand up for a LONG time :)

[Thumperdumper]

Jay Leno as a stand-up comic? That would be funny! I laughed at something he said in his monologue once, but seriously, I didn't know he did comedy.

[GiannaX]

Funny , those are my exact thoughts about Conan O'Brien.

[Majus]

About the only thing funny about Conan is his looks.

[LollieDotCom]

Stand up comedians put out a new show every what, three or four years? And he's standing up there being funny five nights a week. Letterman is the one who is least often funny. He's funny, just not much of the time. Leno's comedy has gotten me through a few hard break ups, the loss of good friends, and 9/11. Not every line is a solid gold hit, but he delivers solid gold lines every night. I love the way he loves his wife, his cars, other comedians and his cat.

Jay Leno is the brother I deserved.
((: far removed from the ditto head I got. :))