TCA: Jay Leno’s Surprise Appearance
Beverly Hills- Jay Leno made a surprise appearance at the executive session at the TCA press tour today. Not only was his appearance a surprise, but his appearance was a surprise.
Right before the session began, a very large (apparently) bald man in a fancy suit, black shirt and a distinctive beard (covering up a large chin) sat down about five feet to my left. I was more annoyed than anything, as I was getting ready to jot down notes.
The costume was so good, NBC Entertainment co-president Marc Graboff did not recognize Jay in the green room before the event (see the photo below).
“I saw Ben [Silverman] standing next to some guy, I didn’t recognize him,” Graboff said.
When he got the first question, and started jabbing Graboff and Silverman about Jay Leno’s last day on The Tonight Show, and then began following up with other, stranger questions, such as if it was cheesy for Jimmy Kimmel to show up at last week’s ABC event, I think people began to catch on.
Graboff said that Jay was the one who decided to show up at the press event, after having seen Jimmy Kimmel riddle Steve McPherson with questions, and just coming off of a USA Today article that insinuated that he was ready to leave NBC.
“He wanted to make it clear that he was a part of the process [of transitioning to Conan in 2009,]” Graboff said.
Graboff added that the network (and Conan) would give Jay a “huge” sendoff come May 29, Jay’s last night hosting The Tonight Show, but that the network desperately wanted him to stay with them in some form. Among the ideas bandied about by reporters was a primetime variety show of or a series of specials.
Given the success of Jay’s costume, maybe he could join the cast of Knight Rider as some sort of biker. The man was unrecognizable, and I was sitting five feet from him. Though I do have to admit, that beard covered it up quite well, but the chin still gave it away…
Photos: Paul Drinkwater/NBC
Teeshi commented:
I'm not sure why the bald comment was germane to this piece? Guess some folks just like to spread useless gossip?!
BigGuy commented:
NBC went with Leno because they suspected he'd work out better in the long term, which he has. They kept him because he works like a dog to keep affiliates and sponsors happy and will do whatever it takes to keep ratings up, without offending anyone. Most entertainers (most employees at any level) will refuse to sell, sell, sell for the boss the way Leno does, no matter how much they are paid. Letterman never has and never will.
Ronan commented:
Conan is the funniest man on television.
chefhollis commented:
Why NBC went with Leno over Letterman I will never understand. He isn't funny on the show and he wasn't funny when I saw him LV. Conan isn't funny either unless you're stoned outta your gourd or slightly retarded. Joel McHale puts them all to shame.
dave commented:
I had the unexpected pleasure of seeing Jay Leno do a 1 hour standup comedy act. He had the audience laughing our asses of for the entire hour. No-one can say he is not funny.
theallknowing commented:
leno is the worst, i cant stand his face, voice or attitude. the only time he is comfortable is when a comedian is sitting down with him, he should just stay on the road and do standup, preferably in the middle of a very busy road...he dissed johnny, the only thing that kept him going was clinton/lewinski and dick jokes...
omar in st louis commented:
hey, never watched leno, but hey he is free to make deal with fox or abc or whomever.
Lolamia commented:
Just tell me which channel Jay is going to and I will follow!!! Conan is funny at midnight when there is nothing else on tv.
waikiki968 commented:
Leno is bald. Go to any HairClubForMen and look at his picture in the lobby...
yeajay commented:
Conan O'Brien is about as funny as a heart attack or cancer!!! NBC will lose out on the late night talk shows!!!!
Terry Bollinger commented:
I hope that goes on tv exactly the same time on another channel that Conan {the unfunny clown} goes on because Jay will decimate Conan. and NBC will end up third in the 10:30 hour
AhClem commented:
"...after having seen Jimmy Kimmel riddle Steve McPherson with questions..."
Just like he copied some of Letterman's bits.
Doesn't this guy have *any* original ideas?!
leno_notafan commented:
I wonder where Leno ranked that costume among his "gayest faces."
NBC_Douche commented:
NBC is making a bit mistake. Conan will bomb big time; he is not funny!
Lamo commented:
The guy is a f---ing weirdo.
Just_Ed commented:
He has always been a douchebag.
Leno, just go away.