Jay Leno On Letterman Scandal: "Dave Has Never Pretended To Be Mr. Moral America"

In a wide-ranging interview with trade publication Broadcasting & Cable, Jay Leno weighs in on everything from his negative press to his relationship with NBC affiliates to the sex scandal plaguing his old rival David Letterman.

When asked if he regretted moving to 10PM to host "The Jay Leno Show," Leno told B&C, "Would I have preferred to stay at 11:30? Yeah, sure. I would have preferred that. I think it's too soon to say whether I regret anything or not."

Leno also said that while he "wouldn't trade places with [Letterman] now for anything!" he doesn't believe the sex scandal will ultimately affect Letterman's reputation as he "never pretended to be Mr. Moral America":

He's not being a hypocrite; Dave has never set himself up as [a model citizen]. If it were me, it would kill me. I'm the guy who's been married 29 years. But Dave has never pretended to be Mr. Moral America, he's never set himself up that way. He's not a hypocrite. I don't know how it will be viewed. He doesn't do corporate days like me, he's not as advertiser-friendly as I am. I'm the guy when Coke or Pepsi is here, I come down and shake hands and take pictures, but he doesn't do that. I don't think it will have a big effect at all.

Leno also added that he phoned several NBC affiliates — rumored to be upset with his show as it bleeds viewers for the late-night local newscasts — and that the affiliates seem to be taking a long view on his performance.

"Unless they are the greatest actors in the world, they seem to be hanging in there and say they are in it for the long haul," Leno said. "I called Baltimore, Boston, the head of the affiliate board. They don't see it as dire as a lot of people are making it out to be....I think they seemed pleased that someone on at 10 o'clock is concerned about their well-being and their lead-in."

Read the full interview at Broadcasting & Cable.

Comments

[Rapier]

Well at least Jay is funny as also

http://whatstodo.us/ComedyShows.html

[Majormarj]

Thanks--that is exactly what I thought/think. No one has brought up the bright idea--I'm not going too far out on the limb here, and certainly not to make excuses for Dave (and besides, all this is STILL NOBODY'S BUSINESS EXCEPT HIS AND REGINA'S, OBTW!) but my theory is that the alleged affair(s) happened around the same year as his heart surgery. So that coupled with a mid-life crisis and surely it is much more understandable. But Stephanie is now in hiding, the blackmailer is awaiting trial and Dave is back on top of the ratings, where he has always deserved to be. Let's finally let this alone.

[WarOnErrorism]

Bleh. I'd rather watch Conan.

[mzwednesday]

Can you imagine bonking Letterman? yuk....awf­ul....you'­d deserve a promotion after that.

[barbiegun]

I'd rather d0 Dave than Jay.

[rp27964]

they say he is very good and it is a most impressive tool he has

[superbenA02]

You better have some Viagra on you if you are boinking him. He's no spring chicken. Plus, some condoms wouldn't hurt as well. And you better hope that what happened to Steve Martin in the Pink Panther doesn't happen to him when he goes to take it. Here is a link to a clip to show you what I mean:
http://www.spike.com/video/pink-panther-fresh/2691603

[jessicajuliette]

jay is a pu*z...MYO­B Mr Funny Guy.... no. Mr So NOT funny guy....

i was feeling guilty for cheating on Dave with Conan, but Dave can hardly call anyone out for cheating can he???

[Jazzwoman53]

As the economy drove me from my beloved L.A. I especially appreciated watching Leno's "Tonight Show." I love Jay, but I love my cop dramas. I'll watch him in his new time slot only when my shows go in to reruns...s­orry.

Likewise, I love Dave. I find his material and guests to be topical and quite a bit more intelligent than the schtick that Jay Leno offered. (Quite often Jay would succumb to vulgar humor that was not appropriate for TV.)

Conan's humor is too frantic and slapstick.­..shades of Soupy Sales without the great jazz musicians.

Jimmy Kimmel does a fine show and receives very little comment...­probably a good thing as no one is kicking him around like they do the other boys.

[wiseRN]

It is the TIME of the show. It seems out of place. If I were going to watch his show I would watch
it at 11:00 instead of 10:00. Most people who stay up to 10:00 watch the news at that time at
least in the south and most likely the western areas too. It it were 10:30 he would probably do
better. I just don't think it will make it due to the "change" of time and it just doesn't fit in with
the "mold" of the last 30 or 40 years for late night comedy.

[mamacat]

He is not a gay Republican politician getting elected by bashing gays. He is not a Southern politician calling for Clinton's impeachment who then flies to Argentina to cheat on his own wife. He is not someone running as a member of the "party of family values" who then reinstitutes the use of torture on prisoners and destroys a vital CIA spy network needed for our national security. He is not a leader who brings down the world economy with his insane ideology, or who causes the needless deaths of thousands of American soldiers by lying to America and the world about the need for war. He is not an incompetent president flying over people as they are dying in New Orleans who then fails to fully mobilise the resources of the federal government to save them, and he is not a rabble rousing ideologue who resigns her job as governor to seek the big bucks on the speaking circuit.

This episode is newsworthy solely because Dave is a well known comedian who became famous lampooning the hypocrisy and inanity of politicians. But, while the politicians Dave has harpooned with his wit have hurt millions of people, causing the deaths of thousands, Dave has violated his marriage vows. I find it much easier to understand someone who betrays his spouse than someone who betrays the nation and the world.

[MichaelMcKLA]

Dave said that all this took place before he was married.

[mamacat]

Since to me this is mostly a story about the lack of perspective and value of the MSM, I haven't bothered to go much below the headlines. Thanks for the info.

[nantucketsunset]

Apparently he took his mistress several times to the Indy 500, staying together in his hospitality suite, without his wife and kid there, so I think that the infidelity happened after his marriage too.

Also, he was in a committed relationship with his now-wife for many, many years. Is having several mistresses completely okay when you are in a very lengthy committed relationship?

[rp27964]

Of course that is all true, but what does this tome have to do with what Leno said?
I agree wholeheartedly with you, but ... what do you think about what Jay said. And it was reported all this was premarital like Palin's daughter's sex. See? what does that have to do with Dave? I understand your passion, but in articles about the bastards. God knows there are enough on this site.

[DesertShores]

Amen!

[Atra]

Personally I don't care what happens to him. From what little I know, he seems to alway land the right way up. As long as the show keeps going, and distracts me for an hour or so every night, I hope all is well for him.

[countfloyd]

Interesting. Other media outlets, including my local paper, picked up on Leno saying he would go back to the Tonight Show if asked and didn't mention his comments about Letterman.

[rp27964]

what is your point? that Arianna made it up?

[countfloyd]

No but it does bring up what is the bigger story from the interview. Leno's comments on Letterman or the fact he didn't want to leave 11:30 in the first place and would go back in a instant if offered?

[la2012verdad]

It would be OK if Dave would preface every monologue by saying "I may poke fun at someone for not keeping their zipper up -- but remember, I was boinking multiple staffers while simultaneously in a long-term relationship with the mother of my son."

[countfloyd]

Or he could preface it by saying I'm just a TV talk show host who makes jokes about current events.

[Andman0121]

Did you not read the article? Letterman never said he was on the moral highground. He pokes fun at those who DO claim they are on that highground yet turn around and do something hypocritical! Will you and your ilk realize this soon? Because we are getting tired of saying this to you over and over and over again.

[therealjujubear]

or you could choose to not watch the program.

[joefoss]

=Jay's right. Dave never pretended to be "Mr. Moral America."
He pretended to be something else--the "All-American Nerd." And that's what makes his fall from grace all the more disappointing.
=Dave was the role model for the 99.9% of us who don't have lots of money or girlfriends and, sometimes, can't even get laid on a regular basis. We could relate to "Dave," the inadequate guy, who
played the part of the kid with his face pressed up against the candy-store window, yearning for what he can't have. That "how did I ever get this lucky" attitude made him endearing.
=Dave's real genius, of course, is how he--a world-famous celebrity and multi-mill­ionaire--p­ulled off his nerd act!

[countfloyd]

Letterman has never fit into one category. When it comes to sports Leno is the nerd. Letterman looked good the other night taking some batting practice at age 62. Dave has been an enigma his entire career and this is just another part of it.

[MysticalPippin]

well that's cause he has not fallen from grace. currently he still has the highest viewers on late night tv.I wouldn't call that a fall from grace.

[rp27964]

agree

[pearl23]

I've always found David Letterman funny, sexy, intelligent and original. He had an afternoon show back in the late sixties/early seventies reflecting himself as a loyal member of the boomer generation--. He's always had that insubordinate, rebellious, social political conscience that Leno does not have. Leno is probably the same age as Letterman, but sold out. Letterman has remained true to the ideology of his generation in attempting to rid the world of nonsensical stayed values & atitudes that pass for morality. Leno straddles both sides of the political arena with his middle of the road "humor" trying to get a laugh from conservative and liberals alike. This lack of backbone and has little to do with morality. Letterman is outspoken and unafraid to express how he feels. There is nothing nerdy about him. He is hysterically funny. He is flirtatious with practically every beautiful actress he interviews and does not hide it. I don't see how anyone can view him as a role model for nerds.

[Majormarj]

My reply was misplaced, perar23--see at the start of the conments, maybe. I agree with you perfectly.

[nantucketsunset]

It's no nerd "act" - he really is a nerd. And he is a nerd without much *academic* brainpower, so it's even more surprising. I have no idea how anyone thinks he is handsome or physically attractive, even with his millions or whatnot, no way.

I'm not saying that he isn't funny, he is definitely funny on occasion.

I never would have held him up to any kind of moral standard. I never got the feeling from him that he was the most angelic person. He never said he was.

One can see that he's very cynical about life and humanity in general, and probably plays strategic mindgames for fun and profit. Many people who do that in the professional sphere also play such games in their interpersonal relationships.

He shouldn't have created a toxic workplace, but millions of men do.

I'm glad this is out in the open - it has exposed some shadowy areas of life that some people think don't go on, but they certainly do. I'm glad to see it discussed in the media.

[Heythatsmybike]

nor has dave pretended to be Mr. funny

[IAmNoOne]

Leno certainly isn't.

[therealjujubear]

yep...nor mr original. fortunately for leno, there are few laws against stealing other peoples' material.

[Bettysdad]

When will people stop talking about the Letterman "sex scandal?"

There never was one.

Consensual sex between a boss and a subordinate.

Never any complaints.

End of story

[MysticalPippin]

I really hate the way this country has become so obsessed wih labels. No one is whining about J. Kimmel who is dating a subordinate as well and yes he isn't married but neither was Dave when he had the affair.
So two people date or sleep together - whatever - why is it considered a scandal. BOTH were consenting adults. It's so hypocritical to IMPLY it's sexual harrassment.

[Badgirl]

When Betty's in the job market, you may feel differently dad. Dave makes $46 million a year and owns homes in at least 3 different states. His assistant made $46,000 a year and lived in a soon-to-be­-foreclose­d upon Cape Cod with her boyfriend. The imbalance of authority, power and money is what makes this workplace romance questionable. Love or service?

[Bettysdad]

What do those dollar figures and residences have to do with consensual sex?

Nothing, unless you're determined to make all women victims.

[countfloyd]

Letterman is not making $46M a year and how do you know his assistants situation?

[Dalovely]

Are people so sad that they look to late night talk show hosts as their morals leaders?
The problem with us Americans is that we look to entertainers to be role models. Look at your family members or community leaders, a priest, rabbi or pastor ...someone who at least feigns an interest in
society's morals but a late night tv host is equivalent to relying on a comedian at a strip joint to for getting a viewpoint on social values.