In less than a month, Jimmy Fallon will take over NBC's The Tonight Show from Jay Leno — a story that might sound a little familiar to anyone who was around when Conan O'Brien took over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno in 2009. As you probably remember, O'Brien's ratings sagged, Leno stuck around at 10 p.m., the situation quickly devolved, NBC executives panicked, and within a year, Conan was out and Leno was back in.
So what makes this time different?
"This time, I was asked," said Leno during a dual interview with Fallon on Today on Monday. "The last time, I was sort of told, 'This is what's happening.' If [Fallon] wasn't here, would I still be here? Probably another year or so." Leno was also unreserved in his praise for Fallon, who he said he admires as both a comic and a performer. "I think he's probably the closest to [Johnny Carson] of anybody else in late night," Leno said. Which all sounds very nice — but come on, is Jay Leno really ready to give up The Tonight Show once and for all? "Of course, of course. Yes, yes, please. No problem," insisted Leno, who adds that while he'll miss doing the job, he has no plans to headline a competing late-night show.
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At the end of the segment, Leno and Fallon were asked to write each other "letters" of advice and praise as they head into the transition. "Don't do any joke you don't believe in," said Leno. "Never put your personal opinion ahead of the joke."
Fallon's message to Leno was simpler: "I hope I make you proud."
