Celebrity News
Jay Leno Turns to Friend Oprah Winfrey to Help Restore ‘Nice Guy Image’
![mini-JayLeno[1]](http://hotmommagossip.allihub.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mini-JayLeno1.jpg "mini-JayLeno[1]")
(HMG) – Jay Leno realizes he is losing ground in the Court of Public Opinion following the ousting of his Tonight Show successor Conan O’Brien, and is turning to Oprah Winfrey to tell his side of the story. Conan’s departure after his $45 million settlement with NBC paves the way for Jay to return as host of The Tonight Show March 1.
The comic plans to sit down on The Oprah Winfrey Show next week in hopes of convincing the public that it isn’t his fault O’Brien is out of a job. And while fellow entertainment hosts like David Letterman to Jimmy Kimmel have been rough on Jay, according to the NY Post, Oprah will treat him with kid gloves. “Oprah and Jay love each other,” said a source. “They talk constantly.” An NBC rep said, of Leno’s “Oprah” appearance.
Unfortunately for Mr. Leno and his bosses at NBC, this story just won’t go away. And their endless explanations don’t seem to help much, either.
For any readers too young to recall – or maybe just not interested in late night TV history – it might help your perspective on the current Leno vs O’Brien mess to read some background on the original Leno vs Letterman feud. Here’s the full story of how Jay Leno took over the ‘The Tonight Show’ hosting gig from long-time host Johnny Carson, way back in 1993.
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http://bit.ly/6FjAQq (complete article – NY Times; 1994)