NBC's Jay Leno not feeling all the love

Despite his new prime-time perch and a larger audience tuning in, comedian Jay Leno actually has a smaller pool of guests to draw from.

ABC and CBS have asked their stars not to appear on Leno's new 10 p.m. show because they don't want to take the chance of stealing viewers from their own networks that air expensive dramas in the 10 p.m. slot.

The issue came up Tuesday night when former 'Seinfeld" star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who now headlines the CBS comedy "The New Adventures of Old Christine," became the first CBS star to go on Leno's new show. She told Leno that she wanted to honor her commitment to appear as a guest because she and Leno were longtime friends. She did not disclose who might have encouraged her not to appear on Leno's talk show.

"Yes, there was a little pressure, because as you know you are now on prime time and I'm on a different network," said Louis-Dreyfus, looking a little uncomfortable.

Leno interjected: "Both CBS and ABC have told their stars they can't do our show -- so that means we are doing well." Louis-Dreyfus said, "Yeah."

Tuesday night, according to Nielsen Co., 6.6 million viewers watched Leno -- down dramatically from the audience that tuned in for Leno's initial telecasts in mid-September. Still, that's about 1.5 million viewers more than had regularly watched the comedian's former 11:35 p.m. program. 

NBC executives say they are satisfied with the ratings of Leno's prime-time show.

Leno on Tuesday thanked Louis-Dreyfus for appearing, saying, "Can I give you a hug?"

Then her appearance took a comedic turn.  Louis-Dreyfus stood up and hugged Leno, revealing a plug for her new network on the backside of her dress. The CBS "eye" logo was stripped across her fanny along with the words:  "WATCH CBS."  Louis-Dreyfus then raised her calf and waved her foot, revealing for the cameras a shot of the sole of her pink pump, which was branded with: "Old Christine." 

-- Meg James

Comments

[John B.F. Smith]

Jay Leno is the kindness,most gentle considerate, compassionate, thoughtful, loving human being that I have ever met.

[dj]

i love jay leno, at late night,it doesn't work for me at 10 pm

[dj]

people get in a routine and we love jay at late night, 10pm doesn't work

[Hanford Jr.]

... Hang TOUGH Jay!?! As an International, award-winning print-journalist of 35+ yrs. in the mainstream-&-gay media on both coasts (17 with "Billboard Magazine in L.A., Vegas-&-the Bflo./Rochester, NY markets) & two of L.A.'s premiere PR firms, you'll-make-it. There's enough room for ALL, including Conan, Letterman, Kimmell-&-Ferguson. We enjoy-you-ALL here in thee Bflo./Niagara region!!! Keep makin'-US-laugh!!!

[Mike]

It's just the Tonight show on at a different time. Very boring. It'll be gone in a year or two.

[Balanor]

CBS and ABC are not going to keep me from Jay; they need to think out of the box and find a way to get around the Leno show!

[Dawn]

Have none of the TV execs ever heard of TIVO? The only way to watch the tube!!!!

[Good]

It is ABC's and the CBS's loss. In fact, I welcome the fact that those clowns will not be on NBC. This will force NBC to have some people with more, better, and real talent. Since I do not watch or care for programs on ABC and CBS, I will not miss any of the clowns that will not be on Jay's show.

In my opinion, however, this move will actually back fire since many people watch the shows that are promoted/talked about in the talk show. I.e. many movies I have seen were because they were on Jay (tonight show) and we saw a clip. If the clowns from ABC/CBS don't show up, it will be their loss in the end; which works for me. :)

With once exception, I guess, is that I may try and watch Louis-Dreyfus on cBS. She is really good looking and seems to be funny. I may have to give her a try.

[Apres Ski]

Not only does Jay have a smaller pool, I'm waiting to see just how long he'll take this beating until he says "ENOUGH! I want my old time slot back!"

So far, I've had to miss Leno because I'm going to bed earlier to wake up earlier. And if I have to make a choice, I'm usually watching one of the CSI's or ABC. I'm giving this 6 months to a year because NBC sends both Conan and Jay back to their original slots. Yeah, Jay is a Taurus and he'll slug it out in that time period, but it's only a matter of time before even good, ole Jay hollers "UNCLE".

[Cheryl]

It would be ANOTHER major mistake by NBC, to take from, reduce the time or remove Jay Leno. I would not watch NBC any more..It is routine for all of my co workers and myself to watch Leno. The restrictions are ridiculous.