Conan O’Brien reflects on Jay Leno’s actions in 60 Minutes interview (Spoiler Alert)

(HMG) – In the highly anticipated first interview since walking away from NBC, that will air on 60 Minutes on Sunday, Conan O’Brien said that he “wouldn’t have done” what Jay Leno did when he reclaimed The Tonight Show in March. Because of his departure agreement with NBC Conan was prohibited from appearing on television or any other form of media until after May 1. At times Conan reportedly seemed to hold back in the interview, acknowledging that he signed an agreement that he not disparage either Leno or network executives.

But O’Brien still had some pointed comments about Leno, reflecting on what he would have done in the same situation: “He went and took that show back, and I think in a similar situation, if roles had been reversed, I know—I know me, I wouldn’t have done that.” O’Brien said that if he had “surrendered and handed over [the show] to somebody publicly, and wished them well,” he wouldn’t have taken it back. Instead, he would have “done something else, go someplace else.” He told Steve Kroft how his relationship with NBC soured: “I think this relationship is going to be toxic and maybe we just need to go our separate ways,” he said. “That’s really how it felt to me… and I started to feel that I’m not sure these people even really want me here… I can’t do it [anymore].” Later in the interview, he notes, “I sleep well at night.”

When Kroft suggests that he “got screwed,” Mr. O’Brien says, “No, I didn’t. I’m fine. It just didn’t work out.” But he also made the point that he was “absolutely not” given a fair chance to make the show work, comparing the seven months he had as host to the 18 months it took Leno before he took over the top spot in the late-night ratings battle against David Letterman.