Jay Leno Reflects on Humiliation by Jimmy Kimmel: ‘It Was My Mistake’

Jay Leno is reflecting on a notorious moment that marked the beginning of his ongoing rivalry with fellow comedian Jimmy Kimmel. This incident took place during Leno’s own show in 2010, a time when tensions over late-night television were at an all-time high.

During a recent appearance on ‘In Depth With Graham Bensinger’, Leno, 64, opened up about his regrets regarding the on-air encounter with Kimmel, 57. He discussed the widely criticized remarks Kimmel made about Leno following the infamous ‘Tonight Show’ transition involving Conan O’Brien.

The Controversial 2010 Incident

When Kimmel guest-starred on ‘The Jay Leno Show’, he did not hold back. With sharp jabs aimed at Leno, Kimmel took shots over the much-publicized debacle that unfolded when Leno returned to the ‘The Tonight Show’ after O’Brien’s brief tenure as host. Reflecting on this moment, Leno stated, ‘When Kimmel came on my show and humiliated me, I let it happen. I didn’t edit it.’

Leno acknowledged that his decision not to cut Kimmel’s comments from the broadcast was a significant error. He elaborated, ‘It was my mistake. I trusted somebody. I went, ‘Ah, I made a mistake. OK, I should pay the price.’ And it’s fine, it’s fine. I mean, we could have edited it out of the show.’

The Impact of the Comments

When asked by Bensinger if he considered the encounter a mistake, Leno argued against that viewpoint. ‘It’s real — it happened. It’s my mistake. That’s how you learn,’ he insisted. He later noted that although the moment may have made for entertaining television, the ongoing consequences of that night were anything but amusing for him.

‘It’s not good TV for me because it started a whole thing that continues to this day, really,’ Leno added. His comments underline the complexity of relationships in the entertainment industry and how public interactions can reverberate far beyond their original context.

The Backstory of Their Rivalry

Understanding the roots of Leno and Kimmel’s feud requires delving into the history of late-night television dynamics. The events leading to their conflict stemmed from NBC’s decisions regarding its talk shows. In 2009, Leno agreed to step down to allow O’Brien to take over. However, when both shows faced declining ratings, NBC attempted to switch Leno back to late night and O’Brien’s program to a later time slot, resulting in a dramatic shakeup.

Fallout from the Late-Night Shakeup

O’Brien refused the offer to shift his show, which ultimately led to his departure from NBC. Leno subsequently reclaimed his hosting duties on ‘The Tonight Show’, a move that drew immense backlash against him and the network. This tumultuous period intensified Kimmel’s animosity toward Leno, as he openly supported O’Brien during the conflict.

Kimmel’s attempt to hold Leno accountable culminated in the fiery moments on Leno’s own show. Reflecting on the situation, Kimmel later joked about a prank he played that mirrored the very competition they were embroiled in: ‘I told a guy that five years from now I’m going to give you my show, and then when the five years came, I gave it to him, and then I took it back almost instantly.’

Kimmel’s Recent Reflections

In a recent episode of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’, Kimmel revisited his rivalry with Leno while teasing his guest Ben Affleck. He humorously recalled an awkward encounter between the three of them during a previous holiday gathering. Kimmel mentioned, ‘It’s not going to be like when I came to your house for Christmas, and I walk in the door and then Jay Leno walks right in after me.’

Despite their long history of public disputes and barbs, Kimmel confirmed in 2017 that the two had reconciled. He revealed that the birth of his son led to a healing of old wounds, stating, ‘Jay and I have made peace. After my son had his operation, he called me and he was very nice.’

Lessons Learned

Kimmel’s experiences reflect the complicated nature of relationships in Hollywood. Initially, his animosity towards Leno stemmed from his admiration for David Letterman, who had been favored to take over the ‘Tonight Show’. Kimmel spoke candidly about his past feelings: ‘When all that stuff happened, I was just a fan, reading Bill Carter’s book, and there was a villain and a hero, and Dave was the hero and Jay was the villain.’

Yet, following a heartfelt conversation with Leno, Kimmel found a new perspective. ‘You can’t argue with [Leno’s] success and his longevity,’ he remarked, indicating a newfound respect for Leno’s contributions to the comedy world.

The Continuing Legacy

In the ever-evolving landscape of late-night television, the interactions between Leno and Kimmel serve as a reminder of the complexities of personal and professional relationships. Many fans continue to follow their journey from rivalry to reconciliation while recognizing the impact of their choices.

As both entertainers navigate their respective careers, their unresolved conflicts and moments of humility will undoubtedly continue to shape their legacies in the industry.