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Letterman Invites Leno To THE LATE SHOW!!

Published at:  Sep 03, 2008 3:13:23 PM CDT



I am – Hercules!!

After apparently not speaking to old friend Jay Leno for something for like a decade and a half, David Letterman has invited the exiting “Tonight Show” host to appear on “The Late Show.”

From an upcoming Letterman interview in Rolling Stone:

“I think he’d be a great guest on the show. The first night that he is out of a job, I think that would be a great situation.”


Leno has long said he’s amenable to the idea of the two hosts appearing on each other’s chat show (much as a guest-starved Leno and Jimmy Kimmel did during the writers strike earlier this year), but Letterman apparently never warmed to the idea.

Find all of The New York Times’ story on the matter here.

Jay chats with Dave about the Olympics and the female vice-presidential candidate:










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    Readers Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:47:07 PM CDT

    I'd watch

    by heckles

    Wonder if Leno would crap on NBC. You know Letterman will.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:48:00 PM CDT

    2nd,

    by wx1

    See? Who cares?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:48:29 PM CDT

    Ferguson appeared on Letterman's show

    by big jim

    earlier this year. But then Ferguson works for Letterman.Don't know if Leno would appear. He might think Letterman is rubbing it in that Leno is out of work but Letterman still has his job, even though the job he really wanted was the one Leno was just fired from. Come to think of it, it would be interesting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:51:11 PM CDT

    The Late Shift

    by bluebottle

    What I wouldn't pay to see Jay and Dave pour through the Late Shift and ask each other: "Did you really do this?"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:53:40 PM CDT

    Dave's cool in my book

    by ultron ver 2.0

    and The Chin will earn some respect points if he goes on Letterman. Even cooler if he got super-baked in the green room.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:54:15 PM CDT

    Dave has been on Conan.

    by jedirob

    I always thought that was really cool.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:54:28 PM CDT

    Big Jim what are you talking about

    by grammaton cleric binks

    Unless I missed something in the news Leno announce his retirement ages ago.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:55:21 PM CDT

    Would Letterman get to speak this time?

    by aversiontherapy2

  • Sep 03, 2008 2:58:48 PM CDT

    Leno Has Taken Every Opportunity 2 Stab Him N The Back!!!

    by media messiah

    Why Dave would continue to play with this snake shocks me???

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 3:23:43 PM CDT

    Jay Leno still has the same schtick...

    by damagedinc

    ...and yet somehow it's funny here. I was a kid when Carson left and Jay came in, and the opening monologue was a non-threatening way to find out what was going on in the world. But something happened when the O.J. Simpson trial hit and that was his bread and butter. Jay was the nicest ruthless comedian working, and he had a 4 day-a-week platform to do it. Then, things started to get unfunny. Come to think of it, I don't get why Don Ohlmeyer reprimanded Norm MacDonald for constantly bashing O.J. on his epoch-making stint as anchor of Weekend Update when Leno did the same thing every night (and then some). As a kid, the "Dancing Ito's" were hilarious.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 3:25:27 PM CDT

    Conan...

    by banzai rootskibango

    ...trumps them both. I like Letterman, I don't really think Leno is funny...but Conan...pure insane hilarity!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 3:27:03 PM CDT

    Grammaton, I could be wrong but I believe Leno

    by big jim

    leaving wasn't all his idea. His departure from the Tonight Show is linked to NBC's desire to keep Conan around by giving Conan a set date to take over the Tonight Show. Leno was forced to make a decision about retiring, much like Carson was when Leno's people were making secret deals with NBC to get Jay the Tonight Show. Karma's a bitch.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 3:46:43 PM CDT

    Jim, that is the story I had heard as well.

    by jedirob

    He was "urged" to retire.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:02:09 PM CDT

    Wow, Leno sucked even back then.

    by karl hungus

    At least he's consistent.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:10:11 PM CDT

    Leno's been joking about going to ABC

    by skimn

    and such for weeks, and has hinted at his "retirement" on air. The dude has so much money, its not even funny. I believe he lives on his salary and banks his touring money, or vice versa.I would dare say Dave has done pretty well over the close to 20 years he's been on the air, and Worldwide Pants which happened to produce a little show called Everybody Loves Raymond.Whats amazing is to see these two grow into the institutions they have become. Argue about who's funnier, they both have made their mark.And that clip reminded me just how much Leno owes to Letterman..and the incredible size of Leno's head. Use your favorite "Married Axe Murderer" line.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:11:02 PM CDT

    I HATE when "interviews" are just people doing their routine

    by shiftyeyeddog2

    save the stand up fr when youre actually performing!!!! I hate when the only reason the host is there is to lead into all the lame rehearsed stories and jokes. Leno was even just changing the subject to get to his jokes. THIS is why I don't watch talk shows.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:13:03 PM CDT

    HA, HA, HA!!!

    by mr. nice gaius

    Classic move by Letterman. It's this kind of stuff that still sets Dave above the rest. If Leno agrees to appear, it will probably be one of those memorable TV moments. That's why I love the idea.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:14:00 PM CDT

    Re: Ferguson

    by skimn

    Is the most relaxed and natural, suprisingly. Watch Ben Kingsley on his show and there's a delight in the conversation thats almost childlike.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:17:55 PM CDT

    Ugh, I can't even watch Leno in that video.

    by flim springfield

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:22:40 PM CDT

    Letterman has already appologised to

    by emeraldboy

    Oprah. By having her on his show. You can only get to see the tonight/Conan in ireland if you subscribe to a sky package and get CNBC. and I am not.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:40:39 PM CDT

    no subject

    by future help

    Ferguson had a rough start..but really grew into his own. the funniest one/host going now. BUT is till miss the other Craig too.
    (im cool with Jimmy and Conan.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:41:20 PM CDT

    i still

    by future help

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:43:23 PM CDT

    Letterman Hates NBC More Than Leno

    by mjgtexas

    Satan may finally stop raping him for the Doritos commercial.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:53:06 PM CDT

    Instant (almost) Karma gets Jay!

    by rev. slappy

    Essentially what's happening to Jay is what Jay's manager Helen Kushnick (the woman the word"cunt" was apparently invented to describe) orchestrated with Johnny Carson. Johnny wasn't ready to retire yet either, but Jay's manager was able to get NBC to give Jay the Tonight Show despite Caron's publicly known wishes for Dave to replace him. In order to keep Conan happy, NBC gives him the Tonight Show, effectively pushing Jay out the door. The infuriating thing is both Carson and Leno have made literally hundreds of millions of dollars for NBC, you'd think the network would have some gratitude. I like Conan but I think he will flounder in the earlier time slot. Ferguson will maul Jimmy Fallon. I'd like to see CBS and Worldwide Pants put some more money into the Ferguson show, it's really, really good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 4:57:13 PM CDT

    mjgtexas

    by thenels82

    Satan will continue to rape him until he has both Joey Lawrence and Patrick Duffy on his final show. Together at last.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 5:01:32 PM CDT

    I think Satan has moved on to better things...Jimmy Fallon

    by mjgtexas

    He tosses his salad the moment that hack cracks up...most likely during a twin interview with Joey Lawrence and Patrick Duffy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 5:28:37 PM CDT

    Letterman is losing his edge...

    by yeti

    First Oprah, now this?? Bah!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 5:34:43 PM CDT

    Jay used to be funny, didn't he?

    by larry of arabia

    I hear he was a hell of a standup before he had to gun for ratings. Other comics universally praised him, Dave looked up to him. He appears dead and lifeless now.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 5:46:27 PM CDT

    life is too short for showbiz

    by larry of arabia

    These guys used to be great friends, and face it Dave isn't the kind that has a lot of friends. When a lot of you get older you'll realize this. If you have what you need and have done well for yourself there is no need to bear any grudges. When you are up against each other you will naturally be cutthroat, that's the job. They both know it, are multimillionaires, and respected legends. I don't care if they go on each other's show. I hope they do make up.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 5:58:53 PM CDT

    Letterman needs to stop being a dick about this

    by aloy

    Leno did what anyone in the business would have done if offered the gig. As Leno has said they both have their place in history and more money than many small countries, so lose the attitude Dave "if he's out of a job...". Life is too short for this kind of childish grudge.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 6:05:43 PM CDT

    Here's how you know.

    by die_hardest

    Here's how you know if you're a Letterman or a Leno guy. If you laughed hysterically when Letterman asked him "In every one of his movies, does Elvis play a guy named Rick?" Then you're a Letterman guy, like me. I'd love to see Leno fullfill his promise and come back on to give that Elvis impression.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 6:11:49 PM CDT

    Sitting beside them in the extra guest chairs

    by skimn

    should be Daniel Roebuck and John Michael Higgins.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 6:19:40 PM CDT

    no subject

    by mikethespike

    I love how Letterman went back to the Rick thing even after Leno tried getting back into his standup routine. Part of him genuinely wants to know. Come to think of it, I do too...

    I love this, though. Leno screws Letterman out of the Tonight Show, and he's eventually reduced to going on Dave's show as a guest some 15 years later. That's poetic.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 6:48:02 PM CDT

    Dave's going to destroy poor Conan next year.

    by flim springfield

    The average age of Leno/Letterman viewers is well over 50. They're not going to watch Conan. A big chunk of Leno's viewers are going to switch to Letterman (unless Jay pops up somewhere else.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 7:30:18 PM CDT

    gosh, leno wasn't very funny.

    by ironic_name

  • Sep 03, 2008 8:07:46 PM CDT

    Not invited.

    by embeedeuce

    Read that interview. Mentioning he'd be a great guest is a long way from inviting him. Would love to see it though.

    As for Leno as a stand-up, saw him at the Comedy & Magic Store in Hermosa Beach. I can't stand the Tonight Show, but I had forgotten how truly funny Leno is as a comedian.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 10:10:45 PM CDT

    CONAN will crush LETTERMAN

    by enan

    Conan has humanity. He seems to appreciate his position. Letterman's smugness has nothing on Conan's candor. Granted Conan appeals to a sillier, younger audience, but I think he will evolve with the time slot. He has to. Letterman has no where to go. He is boring...fucking top 10 lists...what? lists? I know its a staple, but that shit does nothing but put me to sleep. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that Letterman doesn't seem fake. However, not seeming fake, only emphasizes what a small-dicked jerkface he really is. I'm sorry. I know people must like him if he is still cracking...but Letterman and his pretentious fans can kiss my ass for thinking some gap toothed dumb shit who drops shit from roofs is half the powerhouse Conan OBrien is. May I remind you that Conan wrote for the Simpsons during the golden age of Springfield. Conan will eventually destroy David. Ha! David...have any of you actually met a David that wasn't a prick? I am going to come right out and say it, all David's are tools. CONZY RULES!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 10:46:47 PM CDT

    Letterman is totally LAME

    by mygirleatsbannanas

    In Australia we have 5 free to air commercial stations and we get Letterman.He would have to be the biggest try hard wanker ever to host a show.He has access to great people but he has a rare talent that makes everyone appear bored by his innane questions.As for his TOP 10....is that meant to be funny ?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 11:28:46 PM CDT

    Jeez...Leno wasn't funny 24 years ago either.

    by darthcorleone

    Love how he just prattles on and on with what essentially is a lame monologue and Letterman can trump all of it with just one dry remark.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 11:37:53 PM CDT

    Ferguson is the best of the bunch

    by dr hemlock

    He's head and shoulders above the other four. He's the future of late night TV. You heard it hear first. (Unless someone else said it before I did.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 11:38:11 PM CDT

    DarthCorleone

    by badass_harry_callahan

    You have obviously never seen Collision Course with Pat Morita and Jay Leno. It is sort of like Rush hour, but cheaper and better. Oh and his stint on Laverne and Shirley as Bobby Bitts is priceless

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2008 11:58:44 PM CDT

    Weird thing about Jay Leno

    by darthvedder81

    Is that he's actually a really quirky funny guy apart from hosting the Tonight Show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 12:13:50 AM CDT

    Conan is loosing his edge..

    by mistergreen

    His show has been pretty boring lately.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 12:17:20 AM CDT

    Leno Stole Letterman's Jokes

    by mistergreen

    There were stories of Leno stealing jokes from one of Letterman's writer's session.

    Leno is a douche.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 12:21:44 AM CDT

    Cheeky Monkeys like Craig.

    by the mcpoyle clan

    And so do I.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 2:16:29 AM CDT

    Conan rules

    by toby___wong

    Letterman sucks unbelievably. And Leno I would like to punch on his chin. In fact, I would like to punch both Letterman and Leno. Letterman so he can get a new set of teeth and Leno because that chin of his just asks for it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 2:51:39 AM CDT

    Tried watching the 2nd video

    by noodleshahn

    When Leno had to explain Memphis was Elvis' hometown I couldn't contine.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 4:15:15 AM CDT

    Dick Tracey Villian!

    by orionsangels

    I think the man of letters sees Conan as a threat. Because he sees a young self in Conan.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 6:50:02 AM CDT

    Big Jim, yeah I suppose it's possible he

    by grammaton cleric binks

    was "retired" May 2009 is the last date, I forget the day. I think you're mistaken about Johnny though. I think that was his own choice. He was an icon.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 7:51:57 AM CDT

    Conan is still the best of the bunch

    by studmaster

    I can't stand Ferguson. I don't understand where the love fer that guy is coming from. Leno was funny in his day, but he's gotten soft and complacent.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 8:34:24 AM CDT

    Letterman is the best by a mile

    by waggy

    Conan is a funny and charming guy, but his bits have been stale for a while now. Letterman is always entertaining because he barely has bits, they're just excuses for him to riff off his staff and audience. Leno... the less said, the better.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 10:16:57 AM CDT

    I did think Leno was funny back then

    by oisin5199

    Then again, I was barely a teenager. He actually had a bit of an 'edge' at that point before he became a safe, support the establishment host. Not a Bill Hicks edge or anything, but at least he had a little bite.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 10:19:19 AM CDT

    I lost interest in Conan after Andy left

    by inwosuxred

    Letterman is still my favorite, but I rarely watch any of them. Leno is the only one I actually dislike.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 10:25:29 AM CDT

    Last time Leno was actually funny

    by jackofhearts29

    .. was when he used to appear on Letterman's show. Maybe, if he returns to Letterman as a guest, he will once again be funny for one night. It would be a nice change of pace

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 11:20:43 AM CDT

    Craig Ferguson

    by arcadiands

    is drop dead hilarious. This guy should be getting the Tonight Show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 11:21:31 AM CDT

    They need a show hosted by a robot.

    by zerocorpse

    I'd watch that.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 11:45:21 AM CDT

    Leno was a great character comic...

    by emeraldboy

    Those characters were iconic. Ed hall, left and Leno lost his best writer. the headlines are funny. But not much else. Lenos monologues were great. Razor Sharp. But I did notice over time Leno became narky. It was like he was bored and straitjacketed. Must have been the pounding that he got from letterman for a while. and the fact that Tonight kept getting beating at the emmys must have pissed him off.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 11:58:39 AM CDT

    I think what this is all about is this....

    by emeraldboy

    Leno Interviewed Russell Brand, while brand was promoting Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Brand started to Flirt with Eva longoria parker. BRand said something very rude(what he would like to do her vagina) and then said he would like to piss on Tony parker. May 2009 cant come quick enough for jay leno. Which is why he is mending his fences with letterman, who is the king.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 1:04:12 PM CDT

    Get rid of the Tonight Show.

    by mrfan

    Put on Roller Derby.Yeah. That's right.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 4:13:26 PM CDT

    Grammaton, again I may have it wrong,

    by big jim

    but the way I remember it from The Late Shift, Leno and his people made a secret deal with NBC that gave him the Tonight Show whenever Carson retired. NBC made the deal to keep Leno from being hired by another network. The deal was supposed to be a secret so that NBC could also keep stringing Letterman along in letting him think he would be eventually getting the Tonight Show. A story came out in a New York paper claiming that Carson was set to retire (he had not yet made that decision) and that NBC had chosen Leno as his replacement. While Carson did make the choice to retire it was seen as a forced choice as it seemed that NBC wanted him out sooner than later. In other words, thanks for your years of service, et al, but we now want to bring in someone younger who we've got signed, sealed and delivered and all we need is for you to step aside.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 6:59:58 PM CDT

    fallon

    by bigtexas42

    anyone else thinking that fallon is going to stink up the joint when he replaces conan?

    Oh, does anyone know if Max and Joel are going with Conan? or do we get conan with Kevin and John Melendez?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2008 11:12:27 PM CDT

    Jay Leno of the 80's is FRIENDS - Chandler Bing!!!

    by theblight

    Why wasn't Jay on FRIENDS!!!
    2 shows on NBC, one paycheck.
    Lost opportunity...

    PS: Shit jikes! Baby's on planes and Halitosis.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 05, 2008 12:52:29 AM CDT

    NBC is 80% owned by GE

    by the mcpoyle clan

    It's part of GE's corporate culture to be hard-assed, so it should be no surprise that they treat their employees, even the most prominent ones, as expendable.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 05, 2008 4:17:41 PM CDT

    Where's the love for CHELSEA, LATELY?

    by thegreatwhatzit

    She's stuck in the graveyard shift (2 AM) but some of her shows definitely click (one of her guests, Howie Mandel, ripped Chelsea's show at the seams: "Did your audience bring their own folding chairs?" Chelsea played straight woman). No doubt the talkers will miss the depature of George Bush; they'll rip the McCain administration (4 years of "senile" jokes) but it won't be as much fun (no political debate here. I'm a Democrat but I can see the writing on the walls).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 05, 2008 5:25:53 PM CDT

    Go to Youtube

    by die_hardest

    And look up the clip of Letterman going to the GE offices after NBC got sold to them. He tries to get in and give them a fruit basket. They are not amused.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 06, 2008 12:10:37 PM CDT

    The only guy who likes Chelse Lately

    by inwosuxred

    is the E! executive fucking her.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 06, 2008 3:05:48 PM CDT

    Why are talk shows all about the laughs?

    by crimson dynamo

    Remember when Paar, Snyder, Carson, Douglas and Griffin would have guests on and spend time having an interesting conversations, smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee and getting the guests to put down their guard and let the interviewer get into their heads? Now it's all about skits, plugging something, or people doing their schtick in interview form, like ShiftyEyedDog2 said, and the interviews seem all pre-rehearsed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 06, 2008 8:26:07 PM CDT

    Dynamo, that's one of the reason why I like

    by big jim

    Ferguson's show. Sure he does the stupid skits, and the monlogue, and his guests are promoting something. But half the time they hardly talk about the project. They often go off on some tangent which isn't the same old thing. For example, try and find on Youtube his recent interview with Kristin Davis. She is promoting Sex & The City but they mostly talk about being alcoholics.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 06, 2008 10:38:38 PM CDT

    Or, if you don't want to go looking for it, here it is

    by big jim

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfQdCX5cDzw and part 2 with Joel McHale:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcudYft8kcc

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 08, 2008 10:15:23 PM CDT

    I agree

    by crimson dynamo

    Ferguson is one of the better hosts

    Reply to Talkback

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