Huffington Post
Jay Leno turned serious on his show to discuss the late-night chaos at NBC, telling viewers that he’d been doubtful about launching a prime-time show but was prevented by NBC from going to another network instead.
Leno, in explaining events from his standpoint, also said Monday that he had told NBC he’d return to the “Tonight” slot only after Conan O’Brien rejected the network’s plan to put both men on in late night.
NBC continued negotiations Monday on an exit deal with O’Brien that would clear the way for Leno to reclaim the 11:35 p.m. EST slot occupied by “Tonight,” which he hosted for 17 years before turning it over to O’Brien last spring.
The network is ending its prime-time experiment, “The Jay Leno Show,” because of low ratings and affiliate station complaints. More…