Why is leno acting like the victim? - The Jay Leno Show (2009) Discussion

[–] ditto65 14 years ago

He's playing the victim to distract people from his real accountability in this mess.

He's a bad person.

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] ditto65 14 years ago

He's playing the victim to distract people from his real accountability in this mess.

He's a bad person.

After his ridiculous 'Oh gee!' speech last night, I believe my original statement even more now.

Jay can say all the many many many words he wants, but he only really needed to do things to save face:

1/. About a month ago, when he was asked if he would take the 11:35 time slot/ TS host title back (ie, the job that Conan already had at the time), he should've said 'there's already somebody else there at the moment, so that is an invalid question.' Instead, he said 'yes I would.' That's despicable. Can old people understand the underhandedness of that?? Yes, I think they can. That's why Jay doesn't broadcast that he ever said this.

2/. When NBC approached Jay to ask him if he wanted the 11:35 slot back about a week ago (again, knowing that Conan still contractually owned that TS host title/time slot), Jay should have spoken to Conan about it before he gave his answer to NBC.

Done.

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[–] a_l_i_e_n 10 years ago

When NBC approached Jay to ask him if he wanted the 11:35 slot back about a week ago (again, knowing that Conan still contractually owned that TS host title/time slot

But he did not own the time slot. Every talk show host had a time slot guarantee written into their contract, except Conan O'Brien. And that mistake rests squarely on both his shoulders, and his agent's.

Jay should have spoken to Conan about it before he gave his answer to NBC.

And 4 years later we know from reading Bill Carter's book that in 2004 Conan never spoke to Jay to see how he would feel about giving up The Tonight Show for him. Conan simply gave his consent to Jeff Zucker's deal, which meant Jay got blindsided with the news that N-B-C would be dumping him so Conan would stick around in exchange for Jay's job. Considering what you said in your above comment about Jay's actions, what's your opinion now about what Conan did, ditto?

EDIT: And I never got an answer. 

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[–] liketoknowwhy 14 years ago

In Leno's defense, he has no choice. But I really don't think it helped.

From Leno's speech

I said, ‘Okay. You think Conan will go for that?’ (moving to 12:05) ‘Yes, yes. [laughter from the audience] Almost guarantee you.’ I said okay. Shake hands, that’s it.

Anyone in their right mind would've/should've said, "I think I should talk to Conan before agreeing to this." Even now at my job and with family and friend relationships, I always talk about the situation to the other side, just to get their opinions. And also to not look like an ass if an annoucement is made and the other person is like, "Huh, what?" Making me look and feel stupid.

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[–] ditto65 14 years ago

In Leno's defense, he has no choice.

Everybody always has a choice. Always. Conan gave up his dream of the TS. That was a difficult choice for him (and even one that Leno profited from), but he exorcised his 'right to choice'.

The rest of your post I agree with.

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[–] fctiger 14 years ago

Yes, Leno had a choice, he couldve said NO!!

He couldve simply said he wanted to be let out of his contract. NBC wouldve balked but they know publically firing one man and FORCING anotehr to do a show he has supposedly left already wouldve made NBC a bigger dick than it does now....instead now they both look like dicks.

Leno isnt fooling anyone. Sure, he didnt want to screw Conan over on purpose, I get that, but NBC didnt need to twist his arm to help screw Conan over either.

Go F|U|C|K yourself Jay Leno!!!

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] 9sam1 14 years ago

Leno had a choice. His contract was up, he had the choice to not sign the new contract and just walk away. It's not like they grabbed his arm and forced him to sign it. And he still had a choice AFTER he signed. He could have gotten out of his contract just like Conan did.

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] liketoknowwhy 14 years ago

Thanks ditto...but what I mean is that he couldn't have come out with the speech and said hey guys, I'm really a scumbag. I could've said no to NBC and went on my merry way but I still don't see a point in giving Conan a chance so moving TTS to 12:05 is a perfect idea.

I think what he was trying to say was that NBC made a mistake in 2004 by forcing him out which is why he doesn't see the problem with having TTS back - therefore, placing the blame on NBC.

But I agree with you that Leno had a choice, a chance, to say no, but he didn't. Sure NBC is at fault, but all of this could've been avoided if he just said no and none of this debacle would've ever happened. The news headline would've read, The Jay Leno Show cancelled.

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[–] Lancer01 14 years ago

Leno is a old fashioned old school performer scumbag.

All he cares about is the next gig. The hell with anyone in his way. All he wants to do is work a gig. That's why even when he had TTS, he was still doing his act in Vegas on the weekends. He has no other life then the next gig.

Leno is those type of people who want everyone to like them. Leno will stab you in the back and still put on a face that he still wants to be friends. Why do you think Jay does that lame phony hand shake when he comes out on his shows.

You would think someone with so much negative press like Jay's gotten would sort of lay low for a while (i.e. Tiger Woods). But since Jay's a attention and 'i want to be loved' whore, he is loving every minute of it. Any normal person wouldn't want this, but Jay loves it, because HEY MAVIS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT ME! As long as his name is out there no matter positive or negative light, he loves it bec. he loves getting all the attention.

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