Jay Leno’s last monologue on The Tonight Show will be May 29, 2009. His successor, Conan O’Brien, will leap into his seat when the weekend’s over, on June 1, 2009. It could be the fastest transition in late night history.
The dates were delivered to a gathering of reporters at a Television Critics Association meeting with NBC executives today.
Still way up in the air is what will become of Jay. Leno appeared at the meeting dressed incognito, similar to a recent stunt by Jimmy Kimmel, and asked pointed questions about “Jay’s” departure. The executives didn’t have a satisfactory answer.
Where Leno will go – if anywhere – is becoming one of the biggest questions in the industry. His choices seem to be anywhere from moving to ABC and taking on David Letterman and Conan O’Brien directly, moving into syndication, doing stand-up in Vegas, or retiring outright.
Which do you think he’ll do? Take this poll and let us know!
Comments
Leno should retire.
Many people don’t like his overly-sarcastic
humor.
At least LETTERMAN has a sense of humor!
Letterman has been THE man for 27 years. Leno owes his career to Dave. Even Johnny wanted Dave to succeed him and if he, not NBC and GE, had the say, Dave would. Dave is the one with the Emmys and the critical praise, Dave is the one who PUTS ON THE QUALITY SHOW.