Jimmy Kimmel goes after Jay Leno during ''Leno' appearance

Jay Leno doesn't appear to have any allies left among his late-night colleagues. On Thursday night, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel used an appearance on "The Jay Leno Show" to rip the host, who good-naturedly put up with the sharp-edged ribbing.

When Leno asked Kimmel what show he would still like to host, the ABC comedian responded: “Oh, this is a trick, right? Where you get me to host 'The Tonight Show,' and then take it back from me? Listen, Lucy, I’m not Charlie Brown. I don’t fall for that trick.”

A few minutes later, when Leno suggested he might make the jump to ABC, Kimmel stuck the knife in deeper: "Listen, Jay, Conan and I have children....You've got $800 million. For God's sake, leave our shows alone!"

-- Matea Gold

Comments

[Jere]

You cut out the most cutting part: when he said "Conan and I have kids. We have lives to lead. All you have to take care of is cars," I was flabbergasted. That slices harder than anything anyone can say in this late night mess.

[The Answer]

If Kimmel was funny he wouldn't have to resort to attacks.

[Meat]

Bout damn time that Leno took some flack for this. If he wasn't pushing for the return this wouldn't be an issue. If Leno does this to Conan I will no longer be watching NBC under any freaking circumstances . . . and certainly nothing Leno related.

Screw You Jay!!!!!!!

[sam]

BURN!

[Eric in Winnetka]

One can only hope that Americans realize what a prime example Jay Leno is.. when he steals back the Tonight Show.

That man is an astounding example of whats terrible about the Show Business industry..

He is as bad as Tiger Woods is, when it comes to being totally selfish, egotistical and not give a Tinkers Damn about anyone elses lives or feelings.

At least Tiger didnt take down the NBC Network and make a fool out of Jeff Zucker.. Leave that to Leno.. he's been taking from NBC and Americans for the last few decades. Maybe this last time, Americans will realize what a hypocrite he is and how mean (and evil) he really is..

Perhaps this is his is way to pay back the world for that BIG chip on his shoulder.. and when I say chip, I mean chin and when I say shoulder, I mean his face!

[Gil - Houston]

All of you are just bitter people. Get over it. Jay got screwed in the first place by being forced out of the Tonight Show and I didn't hear anyone calling Conan a usurper of power. Leno wanted to leave the Tonight Show -- NBC wanted to keep Conan happy so they gave him the Tonight Show.

If anyone is to blame it is NBC and Conan isn't the little angel everyone is making him out to be here.

[bbfan88]

Why are people blaming Leno? NBC Executives get to ultimately choose who they want. And it's clear they'd rather have Leno than O' Brien.

If NBC lets Leno leave he'll probably find another job. And their afraid that he'll take his fans with him.

I don't see how Leno is in control of the situation. Ultimately the network decides what they want. And they've chosen Leno.

[Gil - Houston]

Correction: Leno wanted to stay at the Tonight Show, not leave. There are articles on the NY Times that prove this.

[Maggie]

I hate Conan O'Brien, never will watch him no matter who's on. Sorry, Jimmy Kimmel your getting and doing stupid things just like Conan. Be a man and do your own thing. Everyone I know wants Jay back on the Tonight Show for an hour, not half. Who every decided to change this in the first place needs to be fired. If Jay's not on, we're jusy going to get more sleep everynight

[Franklin Thomas]

It appeared to me that Leno bit first when he declined to return the favor and appear on Kimmel's show. Jimmy seemed momentarily shocked and seconds later overcome by a vengeful resolve. After followed the attacks.

[Nelcisco]

I hate to say this because Jay is one of the only celebs that in public conducts himself as a real down to earth average guy around Burbank, but he's wrong about this. At first I thought Jay was just cought up in the NBC decision to change the line-up, but he and not Conan should've shown integrety and allowed his show to be cancled and move on. I believe this will backlash on Jay, I have a new respect for Conan on his decision to move on, he could've very well have just gone along with NBC. Conan clearly showed America that he's the better man.

[Mary]

Fun fact: back in the day, NBC offered to let David Letterman take over the Tonight Show after Jay Leno had spent seventeen months on the job. Letterman REFUSED because he didn't want even the appearance of forcing Jay Leno out of his job. So don't tell me that Jay Leno is a poor hapless victim of the network. Letterman took a principled stand in refusing "The Tonight Show," and Conan took a principled stand by refusing to move. Don't tell me it can't be done. Leno is an opportunistic snake, and a mean-spirited one at that: Conan's already been humiliated and is about to lose his job, and Leno's reaction is to MAKE FUN OF HIM. Ugly, petty behavior totally lacking in class or honor.

[Billy Fury]

Does Leno even realize how badly his reputation and image are being battered? He seemed uncomfortable during the Kimmel segment. He looks like an opportunistic jerk and is not doing anything to combat this perception. Just laughing it off and throwing the blame to his employers may or may not salvage his appeal. As for those who say Leno got the raw deal: Remember, he quit. Regardless of whether or not he was forced into announcing his leave, he went along with it. He also had the opportunities to go elsewhere. He chose to stay with a company that really does not want him. He is only going back to late night because the affiliates want him off of the prime time schedule. His return to late night does not fix any of NBC's problems. Even if he regains his ratings domination, it still leaves the inevitable question for NBC: When, and how, will they eventually replace Leno? He is getting old and cannot host forever. They will have to revisit this mess once again.

[Todd]

Leno didn't have to retire from the tonight show... He CHOSE to. after-wards he decided he wasn't ready to retire. So he took a prime-time spin-off that obviously didn't work. Now he decides to un-retire and Conan gets screwed. bbfan, some blame has to land on Leno.

[Anonymous]

Quote: "If Kimmel was funny he wouldn't have to resort to attacks. - Posted by: The Answer | January 15, 2010 at 09:48 AM"

Responce: If Leno were funny, he'd still have his 10pm show.

[Brett]

I met Kimmel on a plane once. He is a bit of a jerk, so these comments don't surprise me.

[Merry]

WHY's everybody not noticing Craig Ferguson? He's very funny especially when he's not doing a skit but just being what seems to be a spontaneous scream. I think these other guys are kinda stuck in a zone that's funny any more.

[Jordan]

Listen! It's not Jay Leno's fault that Conan is not doing a good job of hosting the Tonight Show. the rating for that show are down compared to when Jay did the show so nbc is saying well since conan isn't doing a good job at the 11:35 slot, put jay back where he reigned and move conan back, but conan is being a big baby about it

and Letterman and Kimmel are mad because if Jay comes back to that time slot, their rating will go back down

[Ginger]

Leno stepped down - he took another job and Conan took his place. Now Leno failed and expects his old job back. NBC....do you even participate in the real world? Apparently not because no where in reality would someone that takes a new job, fails at that new job and then expects his old job back, firing the new guy. This is stupid. I used to watch Leno off and on but NEVER AGAIN. He has proven to be selfish, classless and massively egotistical. HE FAILED now it's his turn to exit gracefully and retire, why should O'Brien have to suffer. NBC, I hope its late night goes down in flames. I hope when Leno takes back over there are protestors and massive BOOS from the audience. Classless Leno, totally Classless.

[anthony]

I am fan of conan but his humor works alot better on fox or at 12:30am. As for jay hes no saint but the other hosts are coming after him for 1 reason and that is cuase he has beaten in the ratings soundly for so many years that want him gone and take their chances against a conan whom is out of his element at 11:35..

GO TO FOX CONAN IT WILL BE THE GREATEST SHOW EVER!!