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Jay Leno recently reflected on the notorious incident that ignited his long-standing rivalry with Jimmy Kimmel, during an interview on “In Depth With Graham Bensinger.” The contentious moment occurred on “The Jay Leno Show” in 2010, where Kimmel openly criticized Leno regarding the controversial departure of Conan O’Brien from “The Tonight Show.”
In the interview, Leno expressed his regrets about allowing Kimmel’s jabs to remain unedited in the final broadcast. “When Kimmel came on my show and humiliated me, I let it happen. I didn’t edit it,” Leno shared. He acknowledged it as a misstep on his part, saying, “I trusted somebody. I went, ‘Ah, I made a mistake. OK, I should pay the price.’” Leno clarified that he decided not to cut Kimmel’s remarks because they represented a real moment, emphasizing, “It happened. It’s my mistake. That’s how you learn.”
When questioned whether keeping the segment was a “mistake” given its impact, Leno responded by saying it wasn’t beneficial for him but accepted that Kimmel, as a comedian, had his reasons. “It’s not good TV for me because it started a whole thing that continues to this day,” Leno stated, highlighting the ongoing nature of their feud.
The roots of the feud can be traced back to a well-publicized conflict surrounding the succession of “The Tonight Show.” Leno briefly stepped down as host in 2009 to allow O’Brien to take over, receiving his own primetime slot in return. When both programs encountered viewership issues, NBC proposed shifting Leno’s show back to late-night, and O’Brien refused, ultimately leading to O’Brien’s departure and Leno’s return. This series of events garnered significant backlash against both Leno and NBC, and Kimmel’s critical appearance on Leno’s show the following year further fueled their rivalry.
During that encounter, Leno asked Kimmel about his best prank, to which Kimmel quipped about promising to give a friend his show, only to take it back almost immediately. This humorous jab at Leno’s situation further ignited their public feud.
Recently, Kimmel revisited their contentious history on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” sharing a humorous moment with guest Ben Affleck. Kimmel recalled walking into Affleck’s home and having an awkward interaction with Leno, admitting, “You have both something with each other?” This lighthearted reflection showcased the ongoing nature of their dynamic.
Despite their ongoing public exchanges, Kimmel revealed in 2017 that he and Leno had reconciled, facilitated by a personal crisis concerning Kimmel’s son, who underwent heart surgery. “Jay and I have made peace. After my son had his operation, he called me and he was very nice,” Kimmel said, signaling a shift in their relationship.
Kimmel’s rivalry with Leno was also influenced by his admiration for David Letterman, who was originally in line for “The Tonight Show” following Johnny Carson’s departure. This connection complicated Kimmel’s feelings towards Leno, but after their reconciliation, Kimmel expressed admiration for Leno’s accomplishments: “You can’t argue with [Leno’s] success and his longevity,” he remarked.
As both Leno and Kimmel continue to navigate their professional lives, their history serves as a reminder of how personal and professional relationships can evolve over time, especially when forged through competition and rivalry.
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