Exclusive: Late-night television is the subject of an original documentary series for CNN.
Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Trevor Noah, Seth Meyers and Lorne Michaels are among the contributors to The Story of Late Night, from Canadian producer Cream Productions (The Dictator’s Playbook).
The series will track the history of late-night TV from its inception, featuring stories about hosts such as Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, David Letterman, O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Kimmel, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. It will lift the curtain on some of late-night’s most memorable moments as these legendary hosts tackled politics, pop culture and entertainment.
Other interview subjects include James Corden, Chelsea Handler, Hasan Minhaj, Andy Richter, Ray Romano, Busy Philipps and Andy Cohen as well as executives including Paul Telegdy, George Cheeks, Jeff Zucker, Warren Littlefield, Rick Ludwin, Debbie Vickers, Lloyd Braun, Nina Tassler, Jeff Ross, Dick Cavett and Merrill Markoe.
Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Trevor Noah, Seth Meyers and Lorne Michaels are among the contributors to The Story of Late Night, from Canadian producer Cream Productions (The Dictator’s Playbook).
The series will track the history of late-night TV from its inception, featuring stories about hosts such as Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, David Letterman, O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Kimmel, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. It will lift the curtain on some of late-night’s most memorable moments as these legendary hosts tackled politics, pop culture and entertainment.
Other interview subjects include James Corden, Chelsea Handler, Hasan Minhaj, Andy Richter, Ray Romano, Busy Philipps and Andy Cohen as well as executives including Paul Telegdy, George Cheeks, Jeff Zucker, Warren Littlefield, Rick Ludwin, Debbie Vickers, Lloyd Braun, Nina Tassler, Jeff Ross, Dick Cavett and Merrill Markoe.
- 12/18/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will be making his first late-night appearance on NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (11:35 p.m. Et/Pt weeknights) when he visits on Friday, Nov. 8. The senator will take to the “Tonight Show” couch to discuss the recent government shut-down, the debt ceiling, the gridlock in Washington and the current state of the Republican Party. “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” is from Big Dog Productions in association with Universal Television. Debbie Vickers is the executive producer.
- 10/31/2013
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
As the subject of much recent late-night humor, outspoken anti-Obamacare Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is getting the opportunity to turn the tables on the genre. Cruz will make his first late-night appearance on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” on Nov. 8, taking to the NBC show’s couch to discuss the recent government shutdown, the debt ceiling, the gridlock in Washington and the current state of the Republican Party, the network said. And, we expect, the Affordable Care Act. Also read: ‘Anchorman’ Ron Burgundy Returning to ‘Conan’ “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” is from Big Dog Productions in association with Universal Television.
- 10/30/2013
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Exclusive: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno staff isn’t necessarily waiting around for the show’s February finale. Bob Read and LiAnne Read, for instance, are moving over to Chelsea Lately. Bob Read is now supervising producer for Chelsea Handler’s late-night talker, producing all celebrity guests. LiAnne Read is associate producer in the talent department. They both started in 2001 — Bob Read was most recently a co-producer while LiAnne Reed was a talent coordinator In early August, Tonight Ep Debbie Vickers told staff that, per terms of Leno’s exit deal with NBC, cast and crew would be paid until his contract expires next September. The Jay Leno-hosted Tonight Show will air its last episode February 6. It was unclear how many crew and staff were at that meeting on the show’s Burbank lot. At one point it was reported Tonight had about 170 total staffers, including some contract workers.
- 9/17/2013
- by LISA DE MORAES, TV Columnist
- Deadline TV
Audiences may need to prepare to say goodbye to Jay Leno by February 6. That's the date that's being reported as the host's final night of hosting NBC's "The Tonight Show," bringing an end to his 22-year run on the show. Leno's last episode will reportedly air on February 6, 2014, but his exit deal ensures that the cast and crew will continue to get paid until his contract expires in September of that year. According to Deadline, the show's exec producer Debbie Vickers broke the news to the "Tonight Show" staff of approximately 170 on Friday, although NBC has not issued any official statements. ...
- 8/10/2013
- by HitFix Staff
- Hitfix
In the longest case of déjà vu in the history of late-night TV, NBC has set the date for Jay Leno's (second) final episode at the helm of "The Tonight Show."
The possibly-amnesiac network has set Feb. 6, 2014 as Leno's end date, Deadline reports. Longtime "Tonight Show" executive producer Debbie Vickers made the announcement to the show's staff on Friday (Aug. 9), revealing that they'd be paid through the end of September 2014, when Leno's contract with the Peacock actually expires.
Jimmy Fallon will take the reins sometime after NBC's Olympics coverage, which will run from Feb. 7-23, though no specific date has been offered as of press time.
We'd make a joke about those who forget their history being doomed to repeat it, but it's almost too easy. ...
The possibly-amnesiac network has set Feb. 6, 2014 as Leno's end date, Deadline reports. Longtime "Tonight Show" executive producer Debbie Vickers made the announcement to the show's staff on Friday (Aug. 9), revealing that they'd be paid through the end of September 2014, when Leno's contract with the Peacock actually expires.
Jimmy Fallon will take the reins sometime after NBC's Olympics coverage, which will run from Feb. 7-23, though no specific date has been offered as of press time.
We'd make a joke about those who forget their history being doomed to repeat it, but it's almost too easy. ...
- 8/9/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Exclusive: Jay Leno-hosted Tonight Show will air its last episode on February 6th, and, per terms of his show exit deal with NBC, the cast and crew will be paid until his contract expires in September. Tonight ep Debbie Vickers made the announcement today to the staffers at the show, informed sources report. It’s unclear how many crew and staff were at the meeting at the show’s Burbank lot. At one point it was reported Tonight had about 170 staffers in total, including some contract workers. NBC declined to comment on today’s news. The announcement isn’t a total surprise. At NBC’s Upfront presentation to advertisers in May, the network officially announced that Jay Leno would end his 22-year run on Tonight Show during the week leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympics – which start February 7th. NBC also announced Jimmy Fallon would replace him during the...
- 8/9/2013
- by LISA DE MORAES, TV Columnist
- Deadline TV
A woman will continue to call the shots on The Tonight Show. Veteran Late Night With Jimmy Fallon writer Amy Ozols has been named producer of the upcoming The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which will premiere in February. The Tonight Show is reverting to its former title, used for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson before “starring” was replaced by “with” for hosts Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien. Ozols will produce the show, which will originate from NBC‘s 30 Rock in New York, while Lorne Michaels serves as executive producer. “Amy Ozols has been with Jimmy since the very beginning of Late Night,” Michaels said. “She is brilliant. I think she is the right choice to lead The Tonight Show into the future.” Added Fallon, “It’s been so fun working with Amy these past four years — she’s been a standout writer and producer since we started Late Night.
- 6/11/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Jay Leno, left, will hand over NBC's Tonight Show to Jimmy Fallon. Photograph: Robyn Beck/Afp/Getty Images
After a few weeks of speculation, today NBC announced that Jimmy Fallon will indeed replace Jay Leno on The Tonight Show during the spring of 2014. Moreover, the show will move to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York, where the legendary program first debuted in 1954, with host Jack Parr.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised the move, reported CNN, saying in a statement “on behalf of all New Yorkers” that he’s “pleased to welcome ‘The Tonight Show’ back to its first home.”
When it began in 1954, the “original ‘Tonight Show’ ushered in the modern era of television,” Cuomo continued. “It is only fitting that as ‘The Tonight Show’ returns to our state, it will be headlined by New York’s own native son and resident, Jimmy Fallon.”
Though Leno has been a bulwark...
After a few weeks of speculation, today NBC announced that Jimmy Fallon will indeed replace Jay Leno on The Tonight Show during the spring of 2014. Moreover, the show will move to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York, where the legendary program first debuted in 1954, with host Jack Parr.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised the move, reported CNN, saying in a statement “on behalf of all New Yorkers” that he’s “pleased to welcome ‘The Tonight Show’ back to its first home.”
When it began in 1954, the “original ‘Tonight Show’ ushered in the modern era of television,” Cuomo continued. “It is only fitting that as ‘The Tonight Show’ returns to our state, it will be headlined by New York’s own native son and resident, Jimmy Fallon.”
Though Leno has been a bulwark...
- 4/4/2013
- by Robert Falconer
- CinemaSpy
Jimmy has sealed the deal to move from ‘Late Night’ to ‘The Tonight Show’ in Spring 2014.
Jimmy Fallon will be taking over Jay Leno‘s 11:35 p.m. Tonight Show time slot after all, NBC confirms! Jimmy has closed a deal with NBC to take over late-night hosting duties. Read on for all the details, and to watch the hilarious video of Jay and Jimmy singing.
Jimmy Fallon Signs Deal To Take Over ‘The Tonight Show’
Jimmy, 38, has signed with NBC to take over from Jay, 62.
NBC released a statement saying:
Jay Leno, longtime host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” announced today that he will wrap up what will be 22 years of headlining the iconic late-night show in Spring 2014. NBC also announced today that Jimmy Fallon, now host of NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” will transition into new hosting duties on “The Tonight Show...
Jimmy Fallon will be taking over Jay Leno‘s 11:35 p.m. Tonight Show time slot after all, NBC confirms! Jimmy has closed a deal with NBC to take over late-night hosting duties. Read on for all the details, and to watch the hilarious video of Jay and Jimmy singing.
Jimmy Fallon Signs Deal To Take Over ‘The Tonight Show’
Jimmy, 38, has signed with NBC to take over from Jay, 62.
NBC released a statement saying:
Jay Leno, longtime host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” announced today that he will wrap up what will be 22 years of headlining the iconic late-night show in Spring 2014. NBC also announced today that Jimmy Fallon, now host of NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” will transition into new hosting duties on “The Tonight Show...
- 4/3/2013
- by Eleanore Hutch
- HollywoodLife
Press Release: Universal City, Calif. – April 3, 2012 – Jay Leno, longtime host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” announced today that he will wrap up what will be 22 years of headlining the iconic late-night show in Spring 2014. NBC also announced today that Jimmy Fallon, now host of NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” will transition into new hosting duties on “The Tonight Show” franchise after Leno concludes his successful run.
As part of the transition, “The Tonight Show” will be returning to its original home in 30 Rock in New York and will be executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Lorne Michaels (“Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock”).
Programming plans for the 12:35 a.m. (Et) time period currently are in development and will be announced soon.
Said Leno: “Congratulations Jimmy. I hope you’re as lucky as me and hold on to the job until you’re the old guy. If you need me,...
As part of the transition, “The Tonight Show” will be returning to its original home in 30 Rock in New York and will be executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Lorne Michaels (“Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock”).
Programming plans for the 12:35 a.m. (Et) time period currently are in development and will be announced soon.
Said Leno: “Congratulations Jimmy. I hope you’re as lucky as me and hold on to the job until you’re the old guy. If you need me,...
- 4/3/2013
- by theTVaddict
- The TV Addict
It’s official: NBC announced today that Jimmy Fallon will succeed Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.
Leno will wrap up 22 years of hosting the franchise in Spring 2014, which marks the end of his current contract. Fallon, who currently reigns at 12:30 a.m. with his Late Night, will take over at that time. Had NBC made the decision to install Fallon earlier — like, say, around the Winter Olympics — it would have had to pay out millions in penalty fees to Leno.
As previously reported, The Tonight Show will return to its original home in 30 Rock in New York and...
Leno will wrap up 22 years of hosting the franchise in Spring 2014, which marks the end of his current contract. Fallon, who currently reigns at 12:30 a.m. with his Late Night, will take over at that time. Had NBC made the decision to install Fallon earlier — like, say, around the Winter Olympics — it would have had to pay out millions in penalty fees to Leno.
As previously reported, The Tonight Show will return to its original home in 30 Rock in New York and...
- 4/3/2013
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
Jay Leno is jumping across the network divide at the end of the month to appear on CBS’ The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, Deadline has learned. It marks the first time the NBC host will appear on CBS’ 12:30 Am late-night talker. Ferguson was on The Tonight Show last year for the first time since 1997, promoting Disney’s Winnie The Pooh movie. The host first mentioned the possibility of Leno coming last week during an appearance at the Paley Center. Behind the scenes, an insider says Late Late Show executive producer Peter Lassally — who worked for Letterman and before that Johnny Carson — personally called his Tonight Show counterpart Debbie Vickers to arrange the Leno appearance on Late Late Show, which is produced by Leno’s longtime rival David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants. Earlier this year, CBS took partial ownership of The Late Late Show from Worldwide Pants when...
- 10/12/2012
- by DOMINIC PATTEN
- Deadline TV
Etch-a-Sketch it in to the DVR. Tune in alert as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will make his first sit-down late night interview since announcing his 2012 presidential candidacy on .The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. (Monday . Friday, 11:35 p.m. Et on NBC) on Tuesday, March 27. This marks the fourth time that Romney will take to the .Tonight Show. couch. The former Massachusetts governor.s most recent appearance was on December 1, 2010. He also appeared on the show twice prior to the 2008 election on May 2, 2007 and January 18, 2008. .The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. is from Big Dog Productions in association with Universal Television. Debbie Vickers is the executive producer.
- 3/22/2012
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
Jennifer Lopez's tears are still wet, but Chris Medina's are drying in a hurry. Medina seized the American Idol audiences hearts with his emotional back-story, his fiancee was left disabled by a terrible car crash - and Chris had stayed loyally by her side. It's the type of story that carry an unworthy competitor to the single digits with sympathy votes, but Chris Medina was far from unworthy. Sure, Medina had some raw moments over the last few week's of American Idol, but it was clear that the guy had some legitimate talent, which made his ejection from American Idol tonight all that more shocking.
Don't worry yourselves Medina-ites, it looks like the spotlight is going to stay focused on Chris for just a little while longer. Medina will be the first American Idol cut from this season, so far, to perform on a national talk show, Jay Leno in fact.
Don't worry yourselves Medina-ites, it looks like the spotlight is going to stay focused on Chris for just a little while longer. Medina will be the first American Idol cut from this season, so far, to perform on a national talk show, Jay Leno in fact.
- 2/24/2011
- by Jon Lachonis
- TVovermind.com
Following Kevin Eubanks' departure, Minor will join Jay Leno in June.
By Gil Kaufman
Rickey Minor
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images
The late-night talk show turnover machine keeps churning, as Tuesday brought news that one day after Jay Leno lost longtime bandleader Kevin Eubanks, he quickly picked up a replacement: "American Idol" music director Rickey Minor.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Minor will make his debut on "The Tonight Show" on June 7, just after Eubanks' departure in May and the season-nine finale of "Idol" on May 26.
"It is a privilege for all of us to have Rickey on board," said Debbie Vickers, "Tonight Show" executive producer. "We couldn't be more excited. The 'Tonight Show' has a long tradition of acclaimed musicians in this role, and it's great to now include Rickey alongside Kevin and Branford [Marsalis]."
Minor, a mostly off-camera presence on "Idol," does bring a musical pedigree, with...
By Gil Kaufman
Rickey Minor
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images
The late-night talk show turnover machine keeps churning, as Tuesday brought news that one day after Jay Leno lost longtime bandleader Kevin Eubanks, he quickly picked up a replacement: "American Idol" music director Rickey Minor.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Minor will make his debut on "The Tonight Show" on June 7, just after Eubanks' departure in May and the season-nine finale of "Idol" on May 26.
"It is a privilege for all of us to have Rickey on board," said Debbie Vickers, "Tonight Show" executive producer. "We couldn't be more excited. The 'Tonight Show' has a long tradition of acclaimed musicians in this role, and it's great to now include Rickey alongside Kevin and Branford [Marsalis]."
Minor, a mostly off-camera presence on "Idol," does bring a musical pedigree, with...
- 4/14/2010
- MTV Music News
American Idol's Rickey Minor has been announced as the new music director of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. NBC confirmed his appointment yesterday, following the news that current music director Kevin Eubanks will be stepping down. In a statement, Minor said: "I am honoured to be a part of The Tonight Show legacy." The show's executive producer Debbie Vickers added: "It is (more)...
- 4/14/2010
- by By Lara Martin
- Digital Spy
"American Idol" music director Rickey Minor is moving over to "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," taking over as bandleader from the departing Kevin Eubanks.
Minor is scheduled to begin his "Tonight Show" gig on Monday, June 7, 10 days after Eubanks' May 28 departure (with, presumably, a week of reruns in between). "Idol" ends its season on May 27.
"It is a privilege for all of us to have Rickey on board," "Tonight Show" executive producer Debbie Vickers says. "We couldn't be more excited. The 'Tonight Show' has a long tradition of acclaimed musicians in this role, and it's great to now include Rickey alongside Kevin and Branford [Marsalis]."
There had earlier been some speculation that Max Weinberg, Conan O'Brien's long-time bandleader, would join up with Leno, but Tuesday evening's (April 13) annoucement puts the kibosh on that.
NBC's announcement says that "Minor will continue to consult and work with 'American Idol'...
Minor is scheduled to begin his "Tonight Show" gig on Monday, June 7, 10 days after Eubanks' May 28 departure (with, presumably, a week of reruns in between). "Idol" ends its season on May 27.
"It is a privilege for all of us to have Rickey on board," "Tonight Show" executive producer Debbie Vickers says. "We couldn't be more excited. The 'Tonight Show' has a long tradition of acclaimed musicians in this role, and it's great to now include Rickey alongside Kevin and Branford [Marsalis]."
There had earlier been some speculation that Max Weinberg, Conan O'Brien's long-time bandleader, would join up with Leno, but Tuesday evening's (April 13) annoucement puts the kibosh on that.
NBC's announcement says that "Minor will continue to consult and work with 'American Idol'...
- 4/14/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
NBC confirmed online reports today that Kevin Eubanks, Jay Leno's affable bandleader, will step down from his post sometime after original installments of The Tonight Show resume in March. Eubanks told the peacock he wants to try other things, a network insider said, though it's still not clear when he'll abdicate his late night gig (or whether the entire band will go with him). For now, he is expected to be present for Leno's much-talked about return to Tonight on March 1. Eubanks' potential replacement and the band's status is one of many logistical issues confronting Leno, as he and...
- 2/16/2010
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside Movies
Most of us were very surprised to see Jay Leno join Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman in a Super Bowl ad for Letterman's "Late Show." To find out how everything came together, Entertainment Weekly caught up with the show's producer Rob Burnett. "The 10 seconds we did with Dave and Oprah for the Super Bowl in 2007 went pretty well and CBS came back and said we got 10 seconds again for this one," Burnett said. "We were banging heads together. How do we come close to topping the last one? Then Dave got this idea. My first call was to Oprah . she got it right away . and then I called [CBS Corp. Chairman] Les Moonves to make sure he was Ok with Jay being on CBS. And then I called [Leno's executive producer] Debbie Vickers, who said: 'Dave and Jay, in the same room?' She laughed for a good minute and said Jay would want to call.
- 2/9/2010
- WorstPreviews.com
Amid all the multimillion-dollar ads during the Super Bowl, a quickly assembled and shot CBS promo spot nearly upstaged them all.
David Letterman pulled off a great stunt by secretly taping a 15-second spot reprising his promo from CBS' last Super Bowl broadcast in 2007, where he sat and watched the game with Oprah Winfrey. This time, he added his once and future late-night rival, Jay Leno, to the mix.
According to La Times, Letterman himself concocted the bit last week, and both Winfrey and Leno quietly flew to New York on Tuesday (Feb. 2) to tape the promo (Leno even wore a disguise when he entered the Ed Sullivan Theater). "Late Show" executive producer Rob Burnett first called his counterpart at NBC, Debbie Vickers, to see if Leno would be interested.
Leno then talked to Burnett and agreed to come to New York pending his NBC bosses' approval, which they granted.
David Letterman pulled off a great stunt by secretly taping a 15-second spot reprising his promo from CBS' last Super Bowl broadcast in 2007, where he sat and watched the game with Oprah Winfrey. This time, he added his once and future late-night rival, Jay Leno, to the mix.
According to La Times, Letterman himself concocted the bit last week, and both Winfrey and Leno quietly flew to New York on Tuesday (Feb. 2) to tape the promo (Leno even wore a disguise when he entered the Ed Sullivan Theater). "Late Show" executive producer Rob Burnett first called his counterpart at NBC, Debbie Vickers, to see if Leno would be interested.
Leno then talked to Burnett and agreed to come to New York pending his NBC bosses' approval, which they granted.
- 2/8/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
So that really out-of-the-blue Letterman/Oprah/Leno Super Bowl promo for The Late Show? It was all Dave's idea, apparently. Unless you're a football fan - and you don't need to be to watch the Super Bowl - it was arguably the highlight of the night, certainly the most interesting development of the entire first half: Dave Letterman and Oprah, recreating their 2007 ad (the first time they'd appeared together in more than a decade), and joined on the couch by Jay Leno. But why?
"How do we come close to topping the last one," asked Letterman executive producer Rob Burnett in a chat with Entertainment Weekly. "Then Dave got this idea. My first call was to Oprah – she got it right away – and then I called Les Moonves to make sure he was Ok with Jay being on CBS. I have to give Les credit...he got it immediately."
"And then I called [Leno's executive producer] Debbie Vickers,...
"How do we come close to topping the last one," asked Letterman executive producer Rob Burnett in a chat with Entertainment Weekly. "Then Dave got this idea. My first call was to Oprah – she got it right away – and then I called Les Moonves to make sure he was Ok with Jay being on CBS. I have to give Les credit...he got it immediately."
"And then I called [Leno's executive producer] Debbie Vickers,...
- 2/8/2010
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
EW talked to The Late Show executive producer Rob Burnett about David Letterman's surprising decision to include Jay Leno in a promotional spot during the Super Bowl. Entertainment Weekly: Why did you decide to do this? Rob Burnett: Well, the 10 seconds we did with Dave and Oprah for the Super Bowl in 2007 went pretty well and CBS came back and said we got 10 seconds again for this one. Nothing is more simultaneously exhilarating and fear-inducing than hearing you have 10 seconds in the Super Bowl. We were banging heads together. How do we come close to topping the last one?...
- 2/8/2010
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside Movies
With Conan O'Brien departing NBC and Jay Leno resuming control of "The Tonight Show," NBC Universal TV entertainment chairman Jeff Gaspin talked to The Hollywood Reporter about the shake-up and what happens next.
The Hollywood Reporter: What is Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" going to be like -- his previous "Tonight" or "The Jay Leno Show"? Will he still have his contributors? The race track?
Jeff Gaspin: (Executive producer) Debbie Vickers and Jay are working on that now. My guess is it will be a hybrid. They're going to make some alterations to the studio to make it more intimate. There's elements of the current show they like, and there's elements from "The Tonight Show" they'd like to bring back. I would be surprised if they didn't bring back the desk and a couch, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a new desk and couch.
THR: Are...
The Hollywood Reporter: What is Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" going to be like -- his previous "Tonight" or "The Jay Leno Show"? Will he still have his contributors? The race track?
Jeff Gaspin: (Executive producer) Debbie Vickers and Jay are working on that now. My guess is it will be a hybrid. They're going to make some alterations to the studio to make it more intimate. There's elements of the current show they like, and there's elements from "The Tonight Show" they'd like to bring back. I would be surprised if they didn't bring back the desk and a couch, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a new desk and couch.
THR: Are...
- 1/22/2010
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With Conan O'Brien departing NBC and Jay Leno resuming control of "The Tonight Show," NBC Universal TV entertainment chairman Jeff Gaspin talked to The Hollywood Reporter about the shake-up and what happens next.
The Hollywood Reporter: What is Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" going to be like -- his previous "Tonight" or "The Jay Leno Show"? Will he still have his contributors? The race track?
Jeff Gaspin: (Executive producer) Debbie Vickers and Jay are working on that now. My guess is it will be a hybrid. They're going to make some alterations to the studio to make it more intimate. There's elements of the current show they like, and there's elements from "The Tonight Show" they'd like to bring back. I would be surprised if they didn't bring back the desk and a couch, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a new desk and couch.
THR: Are...
The Hollywood Reporter: What is Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" going to be like -- his previous "Tonight" or "The Jay Leno Show"? Will he still have his contributors? The race track?
Jeff Gaspin: (Executive producer) Debbie Vickers and Jay are working on that now. My guess is it will be a hybrid. They're going to make some alterations to the studio to make it more intimate. There's elements of the current show they like, and there's elements from "The Tonight Show" they'd like to bring back. I would be surprised if they didn't bring back the desk and a couch, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a new desk and couch.
THR: Are...
- 1/21/2010
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Who will Jennifer do?
It's a question that might have big implications for the late-night TV landscape. With the debut of NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" a month away, the late-night wars are coming to a fresh boil. As one of the first A-list stars to have a movie opening after the Sept. 14 bow of "Leno," Jennifer Aniston's choice of couch to promote her romantic comedy "Love Happens" might foretell a shift in the utra-competitive world of talk-show booking.
Or at least "Leno" producers hope so. During the past two weeks, they quietly have hosted teams from the town's top PR firms for a tour of the new studio and a presentation touting promo opportunities for their clients. While the 10 p.m. show technically won't compete with traditional late-night offerings and will feature a slightly different format, it is being treated as such for the purpose of booking top guests.
It's a question that might have big implications for the late-night TV landscape. With the debut of NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" a month away, the late-night wars are coming to a fresh boil. As one of the first A-list stars to have a movie opening after the Sept. 14 bow of "Leno," Jennifer Aniston's choice of couch to promote her romantic comedy "Love Happens" might foretell a shift in the utra-competitive world of talk-show booking.
Or at least "Leno" producers hope so. During the past two weeks, they quietly have hosted teams from the town's top PR firms for a tour of the new studio and a presentation touting promo opportunities for their clients. While the 10 p.m. show technically won't compete with traditional late-night offerings and will feature a slightly different format, it is being treated as such for the purpose of booking top guests.
- 8/13/2009
- by By Matthew Belloni and Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jay Leno will pay out of his pocket for at least the next week the salaries of about 80 staffers of The Tonight Show who were laid off Friday, a source said Saturday.
Tonight Show executive producer Debbie Vickers is said to have assisted Leno with the logistics of his decision, which came to light a day after disgruntled employees charged that the late-night host had been unfair to them.
Vickers began calling laid-off Tonight Show employees Saturday to give them the news, sources said, and phone calls from Vickers and others were expected to continue through today.
Leno was the last among the high-profile late-night TV hosts to make concessions to staffers who -- suddenly out of work -- are seen as collateral damage in the ongoing WGA strike.
David Letterman, whose Worldwide Pants produces CBS' The Late Show With David Letterman and The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, is paying the staffs of both shows through year's end. Conan O'Brien on Thursday notified the nonwriting employees on his NBC-produced Late Night With Conan O'Brien that he too will pay them out of his pocket on a week-to-week basis, putting him in the same camp now occupied by Leno.
While the other hosts made the moves pre-emptively, Leno's came after the staff of his show was laid off Friday. At a staff meeting, the employees were told that they were not only out of a job but also that there were no guarantees they would be rehired once Tonight Show resumes production.
"Some people were crying. Some people were screaming," said one employee, who like many of the laid-off staffers spoke only on the condition of anonymity.
The news came as a shock to the workers who had been assured by Leno in a conference call several days into the writers strike that their jobs were safe.
"He was on speaker phone", a staffer recalled. "He told us not to panic. He said: 'I can't get into details, but nobody will miss a car payment or lose their house. We're family. Trust me. I'm going to take care of this.'"
According to insiders, Leno's early confidence stemmed from several options in the works, including the hiring of guest hosts.
Tonight Show executive producer Debbie Vickers is said to have assisted Leno with the logistics of his decision, which came to light a day after disgruntled employees charged that the late-night host had been unfair to them.
Vickers began calling laid-off Tonight Show employees Saturday to give them the news, sources said, and phone calls from Vickers and others were expected to continue through today.
Leno was the last among the high-profile late-night TV hosts to make concessions to staffers who -- suddenly out of work -- are seen as collateral damage in the ongoing WGA strike.
David Letterman, whose Worldwide Pants produces CBS' The Late Show With David Letterman and The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, is paying the staffs of both shows through year's end. Conan O'Brien on Thursday notified the nonwriting employees on his NBC-produced Late Night With Conan O'Brien that he too will pay them out of his pocket on a week-to-week basis, putting him in the same camp now occupied by Leno.
While the other hosts made the moves pre-emptively, Leno's came after the staff of his show was laid off Friday. At a staff meeting, the employees were told that they were not only out of a job but also that there were no guarantees they would be rehired once Tonight Show resumes production.
"Some people were crying. Some people were screaming," said one employee, who like many of the laid-off staffers spoke only on the condition of anonymity.
The news came as a shock to the workers who had been assured by Leno in a conference call several days into the writers strike that their jobs were safe.
"He was on speaker phone", a staffer recalled. "He told us not to panic. He said: 'I can't get into details, but nobody will miss a car payment or lose their house. We're family. Trust me. I'm going to take care of this.'"
According to insiders, Leno's early confidence stemmed from several options in the works, including the hiring of guest hosts.
- 12/1/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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