Dave responded to Jay's "Don't Blame Conan"

Blame Conan!' He Pleads
Just when you think David Letterman couldn't get any more fired up about his nemesis Jay Leno and the current 'Tonight'-gate debacle over at NBC, the 'Late Show' host comes out and unloads another massive anti-Jay manifesto for the world to see. On Tuesday, Dave responded to Jay's "Don't Blame Conan" statement with a heated and harsh statement of his own, calling Leno "phony" and saying that nobody in the world is blaming Conan for the current situation.

[@dividepaths]

Letterman not knowing Fallon's name has to be one of my all time favorite things.

[@shangee2275]

But that guess, though! 😂

[@dividepaths]

Holy shit 400 likes, what is this.

[@rab46290]

Who's Falling?

[@Zerox5861]

Who

[@HawksFanMattMan]

I remember watching this live when it happened and when he came out with Lonnie Donegan, I laughed for about ten minutes straight.

[@laurenjcoates]

Conan is one of the greatest late night hosts of all time. The fact that he kept all his staff on payroll during the network switch really speaks volumes about his character. A true class act, and an amazingly funny guy. He may not be getting as big numbers on TBS, but at least he has more creative control

[@gondy5936]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@qs4177]

Yeah and then Conan does the same thing to Lopez so yeah....no one is exactly clean

[@qs4177]

@Doubbledikdan the same thing that leno was going to do to him ... moved lopez' timeslot an hour later causing lower ratings and eventual cancellation....truth be told it was neither lenos or conans fault in either situation but the tv execs who just pinned the blame on the talent...

[@qs4177]

@Doubbledikdan thats the point he did and he didn't...after Lopez was cancelled he tried justifying it by saying that he had actually saved lopez by giving them another season which is the complete opposite of what Lopez later said actually happened.....conan had his part in the play no doubt just as much as Leno did in his departure from the tonight show....truth be told conan shouldve known what would happen but he had a crew he was paying out of pocket at that point so i cant really blame him either.

[@Ste88til2]

@@qs4177 fuck lopez he aint shit

[@nathanfugate8210]

I loved the way Dave protected Conan, just like Johnny Carson protected Dave.

[@jordanabeaulieu2530]

Wow! David Letterman did a great impression of Jay Leno 😅

[@muffdiver240]

Nathan Fugate says: *"...just like Johnny Carson protected Dave."?* Some "protection". Leno got Carson's job, and Dave switched networks.

[@nathanfugate8210]

@@muffdiver240 that wasn't Johnny's fault. That was the network acting like Hitler. What Jay did was ridiculous.

[@muffdiver240]

@@nathanfugate8210 You have a tendency to ridiculously overstate your case: *1.)* "That was the network" hiring the man with the broadest appeal. This amounts to logic/economic common sense, *NOT* "acting like Hitler". *2.)* "What Jay did was" to pursue & attain his worthwhile goal. I feel sorry for you if you consider that to be "ridiculous". *3.)* Obviously it "wasn't Johnny's fault" - there's no "fault" to begin with, and Johnny was powerless to "protect" Dave, though he may have wished that he could. I personally like Dave more than Jay, particularly back in the 80's/early 90's, but I can hardly blame NBC for protecting its bottom line for the shareholders- that's what corporations are supposed to do.

[@muffdiver240]

That "Jay Leno is terrible" is ultimately irrelevant: over the years, he consistently garnered higher ratings than Letterman, and all other competitors in his time slot, as well. That's a fact. Feel free to stfu, @@DrSpaceman42. Class dismissed.

[@dewaard3301]

I'll have you all know that in 2022, I'm not blaming Conan. Thanks for keeping it real, Dave.

[@gallery7596]

We could blame Dave. Conan's ratings were also hurt by the revelation of his sex scandal, and the accompanying on air apologies Dave had to deliver in it's wake.

[@andrewclover1462]

I come back to this video every so often, when I start thinking about blaming Conan.

[@masterdon187]

@@gallery7596I'm seeing your replies from 10 months ago 6 months ago 5 months ago on different comments defending Jay Leno, damn mate just how much did Leno pay you to keep coming back to this vid?

[@gallery7596]

Right. Jay Leno paid me. That's the problem with Team CoCo tribalism. Not just the inability to see both sides of a controversy like this, but you even doubt the sincerity of someone's opinion because it doesn't reflect your own. I always find that disappointing.

[@bwtv147]

@@gallery7596 What does that mean? A sex scandal on CBS attracted viewers away from NBC? I guess that's not all that far fetched. Letterman was regularly beating Leno until Leno had Hugh Grant on after Grant was busted with a Hollywood hooker while Elizabeth Hurley was in England.

[@jeremygunther9403]

I almost blamed Conan today, but I decided to come back here and watch this. Crisis averted.

[@rosedawg7895]

🤣😂🤣😂

[@79mrdoright]

Lol

[@lamjiajun3579]

Goodjob, im so proud of you

[@hopsonkim4952]

Ok, well if you change your mind, I’ll be in the lobby

[@gallery7596]

Conan was partially to blame, though.

[@geefreck]

For the longest time I didn't know what was wrong in my life, until one day my therapist pointed out that I shouldn't blame Conan

[@apurugganan]

...and then showed you *this* "instructional video" prepared by experts

[@jaketno]

The same thing happened to me. Idk why I cried so much after he told me this.

[@geefreck]

@@arcade85_ Presenting this week's guest speaker - Jordan Schlansky

[@One.Zero.One101]

"Don't blame Conan" is probably one of the greatest examples of lack of self-awareness in human history.

[@meowmeow5662]

Lolol

[@kyleveazey7931]

This bit was probably Dave's biggest F you to Leno, and he didn't say anything bad about Leno. Genius

[@ToxicKlay]

Letterman was a genius. His deadpan look straight into the camera to reiterate "Don't blame Conan" is incredible. He said it all letting people read between the lines

[@A6Legit]

@@ToxicKlay why the past tense?

[@alexdasliebe5391]

@@A6Legit Letterman was a genius ( in how he handled this). 👍🏼

[@A6Legit]

@@alexdasliebe5391 makes sense

[@jonathanblaze1648]

Plus he started off by letting us know that he knows Jay. He's known him for over 30 years. "Ah, that's the Jay I know." i.e. the nice guy act is b.s. and he's really a snake.

[@85tclower]

I love Letterman for sticking up for Conan and Norm Macdonald. Incredible show of true decency.

[@JW-vd4il]

yes. There's actually a lot I did NOT like about Dave. but to his credit, he did stand up when it was time to speak out.

[@Long2556]

He did this before, for Howard, when they both were working for NBC and the idiot execs there wanted to fire the future King of all media...

[@cyrus6581]

I like how norm stuck up for jay Leno too. Decent guy

[@berndtherrenvolk1951]

I believe you meant Norm Macfallon.

[@L88888l]

Say that to Bill Hicks

[@mattkraig]

Conan having CONAN instead of Late Night is even better, imo. It’s more... Conan. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@monzira]

Only sad thing is that he lost a lot of amazing material since NBC owns the rights to it

[@conburgundy]

Yeah but ita only 30 minutes

[@mattkraig]

Conner Wilson it used to be an hour...

[@Nay-kp6uu]

In a way, it did work out better creatively for Conan in the end. He does great stuff now he wouldn't be able to on NBC. His comic con week is always a highlight.

[@LungMing23]

For us yes it is better but Conan would’ve gotten paid a lot more so it sucked for him. Glad he still has a show though cuz Conan is my favorite.

[@andreabruson5558]

update from 2021: still not blaming Conan.

[@tedsmalldik3248]

😂💯

[@udarasamarasinghe8811]

Check tomorrow...just to be sure

[@mariella2884]

Team COCO 🧡

[@DissyK]

Conebone69 all the way brotha

[@firecrackerjack68]

Letterman retired, and thenConan retired. It's the end of an era for late night shows.

[@butchmcqueen5625]

“That...what’s his name? Lonny Donagan...? Jimmy Fallon” ouch hahahahaha

[@sh2560]

Classic Letterman. Love it

[@ZinniasandAsters]

That’s all I can refer to JF as now 😂😂 Lonny Donagan

[@frostychickenprods]

Butch McQueen my shoe

[@JR-kc8jx]

Served up a good ole fashioned grand slam with that one.

[@ianreeve1420]

My old man's a dustman...

[@scarecr0w62]

“ I’ll be in the lobby you know if you need me” is probably the most unexpectedly good impression

[@1jonas_sj]

David forgetting Jimmy Fallon's name is one of the best things I've ever seen.

[@warrenjehosephat231]

I wish he'd forgotten Kimmel's too. Or confused those two mayo sandwiches for one another.

[@mikederucki]

Haha Lonnie Donegan

[@jamo3976]

@@warrenjehosephat231 lol what a great way to describe them

[@jcamp788]

It wasn't just that he forgot his name, it was the fact his best guess was "Lonnie Donagan" lmfao. That just killed me.

[@rawdawg15]

I would have forgotten about Jimmy Fallon if the network local news didn't shove his name in my face whenever I am trying to watch the weather....they are advertising the boy hard and he sucks

[@DUARTE99]

This is brilliant. It’s cool that Letterman had Conan’s back.

[@BitcoinmeetupsOrg123]

Agree. And both David and Conan are kind of sympathetic guys.

[@pezcore2142]

probably had more to do with his hatred for leno than having conans back ;)

[@doom4067]

Dave had multiple reasons to back Conan over Jay.

[@somerandomarmydude]

Yet the cocksucker didn't have Bill Hicks back so fuck Howard Stern and fuck David Letterman.

[@luiss.3866]

@@somerandomarmydude who's Bill Hicks?

[@robertdavis3036]

It's 2019. Still not blaming Conan. (Edit): Hey, folks! It's 2020 and we are in the age of the coronavirus in April. Just wanted to tell everyone to PLEASE stay safe and...still not blaming Conan in 2020. (Edit): First of all, to any and all who are blessed to be here, in order to read to read this in 2021...I am STILL not blaming Conan. Secondly, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (Edit): God bless all who are still here in 2022! We are STILL NOT BLAMING CONAN!!! Didn't blame him in 2023... Currently, not blaming him in 2024. It is now 2025... ladies and gentlemen... we're STILL not blaming Conan. God bless, all.

[@dakotahriddle8794]

You sure? Not even a little?

[@robertdavis3036]

@@dakotahriddle8794 Nope. Not even a sliver.

[@dakotahriddle8794]

@@robertdavis3036 Good man. Keep fighting the good fight my friend.

[@robertdavis3036]

@@dakotahriddle8794 Team Coco...forever!

[@dakotahriddle8794]

@@robertdavis3036 Until the end, and after that.

[@patton303]

Dave using the name of an obscure British skiffle singer to reference Jimmy Fallon is the most underrated of all his jokes.

[@GoldenCroc]

Yeah a vast majority watching probably didnt know someone like that actually existed. It still worked. Even better if you knew, I guess.

[@DavidVerbout]

WAY underrated!

[@preesi1403]

@@GoldenCroc Bernie Taupins first introduction to American Music

[@moreblack]

He was a gambling man

[@hellohogo]

It’s still a crime against humanity that Fallon not Conan has the Tonight Show.

[@hallinden3942]

Conan had the Tonight Show and its ratings tanked during the few months he had it; also, Conan threatened to leave NBC if he did not get the Tonight Show within 5 years which is how Jay Leno came to 'announce' his retirement in 5 years. A little bit of facts go a long way. Letterman never got over the fact that Leno got the show and he did not.

[@ft.jackjimmy7282]

@@hallinden3942 Jay Leno stayed to have his own show ahead of Conan's Tonight Show with the same structure and guest appearances, that's why it tanked. Both show actually tanked, that's why Dave says, you don't leave but set up shop in the lobby, you go somewhere else. Since both shows weren't doing great, NBC wanted to move Leno back to his Tonight Show's time while pushing Conan in the dead hours. Conan already sees the network doesn't care about him and clearly, Leno never wanted to stop his Tonight Show, it's toxic, so Conan, being the bigger man, gave the show back to Leno.

[@hallinden3942]

@@ft.jackjimmy7282 - I think Conan did not have a choice but to give the show back; also, Conan told NBC that if he weren't hosting The Tonight Show within 5 years, he would leave NBC; that is why Jay Leno 'submitted' his 5 years notice to NBC; he was slapping Conan and NBC in the face. I think Jay was the guy wronged not Conan but again, I do understand what you have stated.

[@hallinden3942]

It is all about ratings; Jay's audience moved to Letterman's show rather than stay with Conan.

[@nigel900]

Stop it.

[@BiggestRedditor]

How does jimmy Fallon get a late night spot and Conan gets put on TBS. Conan is a genius, he has the funniest skits on tv

[@xzabath1]

Agreed!

[@masterroshi8764]

@frank dreben fallon has been apolitical since the beginning. he's even had trump on

[@therandysmith697]

Conan isn’t funny and his ratings were weak.

[@StevieDamnit]

@frank dreben It takes a real douchebag to bring up politics in an apolitical video. If you're gonna be a whiny little bitch about things, go elsewhere.

[@thelemonddropskid5445]

Everyone in the business loves Jimmy. Not the same for Conan. God I love Conan!

[@UGotSerbed]

This morning I woke up distraught but not knowing what put me in a bad mood, my first reaction was to blame Conan. But thankfully, this video magically appeared in my recommendations and I was quickly swayed!

[@Majinjef2099]

Way to refocus!

[@S_D_C_7885]

@@Majinjef2099 😂😂

[@JoeBuck207]

Conan moved to NBC he sucked he changed his show and sank his own ship.

[@peter81083]

I still blame conan. Every day.

[@Grazimoto1]

I'm sitting here scrolling through KZbin videos with my glass of wine, 17 months into this pandemic, wondering why I've lost my job, lost some of my friends due to Covid and seeing a nation more divided now than ever and, of course, my first thought was to blame Conan! Thank God my fingers stumbled upon THIS video. Dave gave me the clarity of thought to realize that all of this might actually not be Conan's fault! Thank you, Dave!

[@sstaners1234]

I love the Leno impression: “ _Okay_ , _but_ _if_ _you_ _need_ _me_ _I’ll_ _be_ _in_ _the_ _lobby_ .”

[@matthoward123]

God I remember when I almost blamed Conan. I'm so glad I didn't.

[@emilysanders4807]

Lol!!!!

[@ChickenLiver911]

*_D O N ‘ T_* blame Conan.

[@lindamclellan3750]

LMAO!!

[@ThereIsNoLord]

I told you not to do that.

[@pigmeatmarkham898]

@@ThereIsNoLord Jay said that, too!

[@jmichaelewan8455]

The fact that Lonnie Donigan still has a job is kinda sad.

[@getlauriekor]

100

[@rawdawg15]

He is the least funny of all of the hosts on a major station in the last 30 years

[@rawdawg15]

he has a job for one reason. He does 'woke' jokes that don't offend or bother anyone. That is more important than being funny now.

[@TigDegner]

Wait so Lonnie Donigan's actually a person? I thought Dave was just poking fun at Fallon. Which is totally okay by me. Ah well, as long as we have Colbert, Kimmel, Conan, etc. I'm good.

[@sauwensvk7589]

@@TigDegner They ARE talking about Fallon, mate! They're just playing into Dave's joke :D

[@pvt.prinny759]

Pretty cool that conan came back better than ever on tbs

[@1983jcheat]

Yeah, Conan is great. Jay used to put me to sleep.

[@rustyshackleford5743]

@@1983jcheat Pre TBS Conan tho man is comedy gold.

[@DodderingOldMan]

You forgot to put 'Dood' at the end of your comment! You have to start over from level 1!

[@kylorenkardashian5518]

Is Conan still on?

[@kurtrivero368]

@@kylorenkardashian5518 Yes he is.

[@Gweb52]

I’m pretty sure Dave was never happier in his life then when he wrote this segment

[@FredLord-sp4ym]

My feeling is that Dave never wrote these segments. His disdain for Jay and his ways came naturally. LOL.

[@gallery7596]

@@FredLord-sp4ym Dave is one of bitterest people in the history of television.

[@PalKokity]

Probably Drew Barrymore flashing him was his greatest on air moment

[@Cowboy1959]

Leno may have had higher ratings, but Letterman was the unquestioned master of late-night TV in the post-Johnny Carson era, and this bit shows why.

[@Alternate1234ify]

@Cowboy 1959 Letterman was more of an innovator than Leno, especially after the first few years of their head-to-head competition. Leno consciously wanted to create a show that would appeal to as many people as possible, so any type of edginess was out. I can't call Letterman "the unquestioned master," though, considering that he consistently had lower ratings than Leno. "The comedian's comedian" would be a better title for Letterman.

[@wolffiegaming]

When he sent rupert to be the waiter.. I have yet to see a sketch from any late night talk show... that made me laugh that hard

[@SwitcherooU]

@@wolffiegaming He made Rupert tell a McDonald's employee that he was going to "drop him like a bag of dirt." One of the hardest I've ever laughed.

[@patrickobrien5311]

I always watched Dave. Way funnier and a better show. My fav was Craig tho.

[@Ishamv3]

Actually, Leno pulled-off a Leno on David, before he pulled-off a Leno on Conan. People say that David should've gotten the Tonight Show after Carson, just like they say for Conan.

[@sgtibbetts]

At first I blamed Conan. Then I saw this video and thought to myself: "You know, Dave's right. Don't blame Conan." But seriously, don't blame Conan.

[@frenchtoast7742]

Wow ! At first I blamed Conan too . Then I saw this video and then I read your comment- and I thought to myself Daddio17 is right “ Dont blame Conan “. But seriously- #don’t blame Conan ...😂

[@mamouilletten1562]

@@frenchtoast7742 I can't find any video or article showing "the don't blame Conan" phrase or the entire speech . I guess they did their best to erase it from the internet . Luckily Letterman reacted to it.

[@gallery7596]

@@mamouilletten1562 Jay almost certainly meant that people shouldn't be hard on Conan for the "Tonight Show" ratings slide that began just days after Conan took over as host.

[@mamouilletten1562]

@@gallery7596 Oooh what a good guy !!

[@masonldn8647]

@@frenchtoast7742 explain why did you actually blame Conan at the start ?

[@marlerism]

Oh my God, Letterman's Leno impression is priceless. I wish he had let that one out more often.

[@frostychickenprods]

Marler's Movie Reviews and Relationship Advice my impression of myself sucks kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJSZeYukorp7ick

[@FalloutPlays]

"Lonny Donnagan" is unironically the funniest part of this entire vid

[@Bryan-b1r2i]

uNiRoNicAlLy

[@ChristianCotterman]

"I said...no one IS blaming Conan." Godamn he is a national treasure and FUCKING SAVAGE.

[@sicfxmusic]

"I said to myself*", sorry I have seen this clip many times 😂

[@huskiehuskerson5300]

Yeah Conan is a national treasure, don't know about Dave

[@nalie6754]

@@sicfxmusic is this the talking to the moon clip?

[@sicfxmusic]

@@nalie6754 I mean, the actual phrase used is "I said to myself", and not "I said"

[@aurorablaize]

Letterman was the master of being Savage. I'm reminded when Carson told him about the rumors that he would firebomb NBC back during that debacle and Dave's like "Well I hate waiting in lines, but I'd do it."

[@msminmichigan]

I read the book about this. The book taught me too things. 1) Leno had the better contract for The Jay Leno Show and the better contract always wins, and 2) Conan had much more integrity than Leno ever will.

[@Sami6894]

Which book?

[@WilfBond55]

And far less talent. Between them, Fallon, Kimmel, and O'Brien have made me laugh maybe two times total.

[@exclamationpointman3852]

Ray Lebowski the strength with Fallon is he is a likable, nice guy and he makes people want to tall with him. But i have cringed hard...very hard...with his monologues. I wish someone would have come to him and helped him. Colbert is extremely political to the point where its not funny; but i admire his craft and hes a hard worker.

[@schippa2]

@@WilfBond55 you wouldn't know talent if it bit you in the sack, lebowski. Shut the fuck up

[@mohamedbabiker6653]

@@exclamationpointman3852 Colbert problem is not being too political, but leaning toward party more than ideas, look at Bill Maher who is entirely political but still enjoyable by the whole political spectrum.

[@tedium37]

Dave isn't known as a great impressionist but that little "I'll be in the lobby" he nailed. I like Jay when he's doing the car gig but man he schmucked this whole situation up. It all worked out fine. Nobody blamed Conan and Lonny Donnigan still has a job somehow.

[@gallery7596]

If Conan had accepted one of those offers from *ABC* or *FOX,* the entire debacle could've been averted. So we can blame him a little, too.

[@sampathsris]

Lonny Donnagan landed Jay Leno's job in the end.

[@cuzimaluzer777]

It's the only reason I watched this clip again. I remember this well, the first time I heard "I'll be in the lobby " I almost died.

[@FredLord-sp4ym]

Just as long as you don't blame Conan.

[@陈kopo]

@@gallery7596 Why should he have done that when hosting the Tonight Show had been a literal life long dream of his? Who in their right mind would not take up an offer that fulfilling? Jay Leno had a whole 5 years to find something else, and yet he decided to cling onto this instead, resulting in Conan's show ripped away from him, so no. We can't blame him a little, this was entirely the fault of NBC and Leno.

[@MrT67]

Dave always came across as insightful. Combined with his rebellious streak, that's why he had had a bit more sarcasm than his contemporaries. And that's exactly how comedians should behave.

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

Rebellious streak and sarcasm….another way of saying he’s a jerk. And he is. He always belittled guests who weren’t as “smart” as he is. The snarky comments were off-putting, not funny.

[@papillonvu]

I’m so glad that dude Paul was there to translate what Dave was saying!

[@WilhelmWilder]

He was such a weird guy 😂

[@moshunit96]

He's the worst.

[@RonWolfHowl]

"Don't blame Conan?" "Don't blame Conan." "Don't blame Conan?" "Don't blame Conan."

[@mickeywonders3764]

Black Rod he literally paused for like a second so people could laugh and was gonna start talking again, till dude wanted repeat shit again

[@UberLummox]

Yup! The 'second fiddle' talk show phenomenon is hopelessly formulaic. Even Steven Colbet has one. So unessesary. The only guy I can think of who doesn't have an 'Ed McMahon' type charactor is John Stewart.

[@GunnerGbi]

I love this friendship between Conan and Dave!

[@MichaelGrey11]

Diesley Gunner they both got screwed by NBC and Jay lmao

[@T25de]

Dave norm and Conan

[@apurugganan]

It's 2021, almost 11pm and here I am, watching vintage Dave, not blaming Conan (Thanks to you folks for the upvotes❤️We all know that Conan's not that kind of a guy😄

[@aguila1077]

Its1 am for me. And i dont blame conan

[@itsahandle]

1:30 Am and I don't blame Conan

[@Chris-pw7ov]

6:30 pm, and I'm not blaming Conan.

[@alnobleman2884]

6:16 pm and I do not blame Conan

[@BrandonDeHoyos]

It’s a Saturday night in 2021, and I’m here not blaming Conan.

[@SarahMaywalt]

0:38 That smile when he says "but I just can't help myself," is the reason I love Letterman so much.

[@laserluver1]

One of Dave's greatest bits of all time: "Uhhh, I'll be in the lobby... Don't hang around!"

[@Mr_Flerb]

It was a shockingly good impression, too.

[@FredLord-sp4ym]

Dave did NOT blame Conan.

[@ibieiniid4240]

"I got my own problems." Not enough people in this world acknowledge this about themselves.

[@T25de]

ibieiniid Yea like the Left, they need to worry about their own asses lol

[@ibieiniid4240]

@@T25de And yet, here you are calling out other people's problems and making no mention of yourself.

[@T25de]

ibieiniid That’s the joke 😉 Help!! Hypocrisy!!

[@pianofry1138]

You can acknowledge them and not deal with them. It's kind of what he did here.

[@GeorgiaOverdrive]

I think the audience reacted the way was because he had a whole blackmail affair thing a year earlier.

[@barbraseville8984]

Dave's contempt for Jay cleared my acne, straightened my teeth, and improved my credit!

[@charlenemack7040]

👍 ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 I have been in love with David Letterman for over 45 years! There, i’ve said it and I’m glad! 😎

[@rowdybme4584]

thats all fine and dandy but somehow it made my wife pregnant

[@gallery7596]

Dave's continuing bitterness only leaves me disappointed in him. He still doesn't recognize that not getting "The Tonight Show" was actually the best thing that ever happened for the longevity of his career in television.

[@joywilliams7657]

😂😂😂🤣🤣😂😂

[@joywilliams7657]

@@rowdybme4584 😂😂😂😂🤰👩‍🍼

[@Bigfrank88]

I love every second of this takedown. But Paul confirming that Dave in fact has his own problems might be my favorite bit.

[@stefanurquelle4303]

I looked up Lonnie Donegan and he's a 50s "skiffle singer" who does look kinda like Fallon and I laughed even harder.

[@Jimmie_Rudolfsson]

He was a huge influence on amongst others Lennon & McCartney

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

He was a major influence on every British musician in the 50s and 60s and even into the 70s. He wasn't just a skiffle singer, he popularized it. Everyone from the members of the Beatles to Led Zeppelin started with skiffle, and he was their influence.

[@merricat3025]

I didnt know he was areal person

[@siggylloyd3566]

BFisch very well articulated. Jimmy Page began with a skiffle group, if I remember correctly, and there's some old recorded TV footage somewhere here on KZbin

[@TommyRibs]

@@siggylloyd3566 it was either The Originals, or the New Originals that Jimmy Page was in.

[@BlueEyes-WhiteDrag0n]

There is a Universe where Conan did get The Tonight Show and technology and humanity advanced faster than this timeline

[@kewltony]

If all the people that say they like Conan actually watched Conan, he would have remained as the host.

[@popeye697]

@@kewltony nope. The Jay Leno Show tanked Conans ratings when it shouldn't have ever been on the air. The same thing would've happened if Johnny Carson had his own half hour talk show an hour before Jay 3 months into Leno hosting The Tonight Show. It's as simple as that.

[@spookrockcity]

@@kewltony TRUTH. Conan's fans abandoned him. That's the real truth of all this. All the people raging in this comments section are the same people that never actually watched him in his new time slot. See how Popeye is still trying to blame Leno? That's what it looks like to be a child who cannot handle reality. Conan's fake fans canceled Conan.

[@jeremyc9593]

@Spookrockcity Uh, okay. Then how do you explain his successful run on TBS? Did Conan's fans abandon him on The Tonight Show with the ultimate goal of getting him to TBS? That's a weird goal, but mission accomplished I guess.

[@FIQKYFADZAN]

And also Tiktok never got invented there.

[@tyler9703]

I'm so glad Conan is still going strong. He's an awesome host and his writers are funny as hell. Definitely the best host and the best late night show currently on TV.

[@rose4490]

I wish I hair the color of yours, it's beautiful!

[@judechidozieezenyi9493]

Last sentence, totally agree!

[@warrengauthier4699]

Meyers, Colbert & Corden suck.

[@exclamationpointman3852]

(-_-;) Hes a good dude

[@ArielGonzalez1]

Conan is quitting late night tv on June... so we can safely say that he is switching to hbo max (variety show) being the best late night host of our generation (the others are far away from him.), our Carson, our Letterman or whatever you want to call it

[@lukedaniell]

3:45 The Leno impersonation is spot on. 🤣

[@cierrablue]

All these years later and I still resent Jay Leno. That guy is a snake.

[@christophercruz1513]

You have no life if your so set on Jay Leno

[@TheOrlandoTrustfull]

Christopher Cruz: Whereas you are better, you're also commenting on the same video 😂

[@supertuesday600]

But please, Don't blame Conan.;)

[@49er16]

At least he's not a coward like Conan.

[@adrock1011]

Jay has a garage full of amazing cars and quite the rolodex of celebrity phone numbers. Conan has a 92 taurus and fans, co-workers, friends, & family who adore him. Plus hes funnier & smarter. Id say conan won in the end

[@andrewcampbell4260]

That "I hope you're not planning on blaming conan, are you?" always kills me. 3:13

[@dennisbowen452]

Same, that and invoke a little…French? Was classic quotes I make.

[@bradm268]

You can tell who's never watched a single episode of David letterman by them commenting on how Paul butts into David talking.

[@MonsterSound.Bradley]

Yup

[@DeBannanaKingOfAll]

Thank you

[@Hidden_Seeker_]

So do yall actually like him? He's fucking awful

[@tonyroca279]

I've never watched his full shows, but I've caught lots of Letterman over the years, I've never heard Paul doing this before tho, I thought it was pretty annoying.

[@Hoganply]

So, he's _intentionally_ ruining the flow of the joke. Thanks for the insight.

[@stevecaldwell8568]

I was ready to blame Conan today but remembered Dave’s wise words. Thanks, Dave!

[@tmbtrumpet7333]

9 years later and this is still "Vintage Letterman". Funny as hell!!!

[@siskothekid4620]

TMB Trumpet so true. So true.

[@Churro_Flaminguez]

Letterman is going down in history along with his "true blue" crowd: Carson his mentor, and Craig Ferguson his brilliant protegé. Meanwhile, Jay is gone with the wind and his replacement Fallon is widely despised on YT for being a pathetic unfunny sycophant with an annoying laugh. Two of a kind if you ask me.

[@ered203]

Conan's last couple of weeks at NBC while they were letting his contract run out were the best shows of late night ever. Conan had an expense account for the show, and he expended that account to the extreme. Introducing the newest late night character, Bugatti the mouse,accompanied by it's theme music, the original master for the Rolling Stones Satisfaction.

[@whaddyathink949]

No man, the REAL late night show; the original Conan show that actually came on after midnight. The one that ended with the Will Ferrel Freebird rendition....that was the greatest. They used to get really out there....Masturbating Bear ftw

[@3Rayfire]

@@whaddyathink949 In the year two thousaaaaand, in the year two THOUSAAAAAAAAAND!

[@MrBWednesday]

@@3Rayfire oh man. Now I’m invested. That skit was lit.

[@JaydevRaol]

😄

[@JB-nz1qn]

Savage. Good for him, he made them suffer in the long run

[@michaelharris169]

I will never understand how Jay Leno had the audience he did. I couldn’t stand him and his brand of humor. I feel like he grabbed all of the 55 and over crowd. Anyone that I knew found Conan to be much cooler and funnier.

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Jay had the best monologue than any talk show host before or after him, he just happens to be not too likable.

[@jameslutian1977]

Leno was talented. So was Conan. It was just the Leno audience that had been built for decades didn't mesh with Conan's style. That's no one's fault. I prefer Conan but all the trashing of Leno is just people buying into Letterman's digs at him over the years.

[@IstasPumaNevada]

@@TruckTaxiMoveIt All the times I tried watching Leno's monologue I found it perfectly bland and often predictable. I mean, it makes sense; when you're on one of the biggest shows, you likely will try to appeal to the widest audience, which means taking no risks. And when you've been doing it for so long, you _also_ need to fit into the mold your audience has come to expect.

[@Darkside8062]

@@jameslutian1977 Actually, in my case, I've never liked Leno from his pre Tonight Show appearances. And I know what happened with Joan Rivers but she would've been a better replacement for Johnny.

[@bloomfulbeauties721]

AGREE.

[@lessthan12parsecs92]

Its 2025. I love how relevant Letterman and Conan are in this day and age. I have not heard much, or seen a lot of "classic Jay Leno" clips show up in my KZbin algorithm, and I follow all the late night shows. Hell, I have Carson clips pop up, but no Jay. And to that, I say good!

[@BOOMBOSTICorBIGS]

I will always love how David Letterman treated Jimmy Fallon exactly how we should’ve all treated Jimmy Fallon

[@bulldogsbob]

Fallon is really good at getting KZbin views which is what they are after at NBC.

[@romulus_]

@@bulldogsbob brainless pablum for the shallow mind

[@asyc89]

@@romulus_ yet here you are, watching youtube.

[@romulus_]

​@@asyc89 as are you. funny, I don't see what your statement has to do with what's being discussed here.

[@AquarianNomadic]

@@asyc89 but never Fallon

[@packlesswolf1]

I miss the good ol days of Letterman on late show and Craig Ferguson on the late late show.

[@bigmike5785]

Between your avatar and your comment, you're really dating yourself.

[@packlesswolf1]

@@bigmike5785 I'm married but sure pal whatever helps you sleep at night

[@bigmike5785]

@@packlesswolf1 huh? I'm just saying you're young, I assumed a young man.

[@andyb1653]

Craig was the most underrated late night guy ever.

[@packlesswolf1]

@@andyb1653 I agree. He was the only host to make me laugh out loud every night guaranteed.

[@whatwouldtarado213]

The venom Dave has for Jay is just amazing in the best way possible.

[@warrenjehosephat231]

At about 2:52 when he is more or less done with the joke and looks away. That expression right there is the sort of expression my grandfather gave me when he was so disappointed in something I had done it made him sick. It is the epitome of "I can't believe you've done this"

[@omt4293]

The two just can’t stand each other. A lot of animosity between them.

[@gallery7596]

@@omt4293 I don't think Jay felt that way, and Dave told Oprah after all this that he still considers Jay a friend. Clearly, Dave's an odd guy, though.

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

Dave has nobody to blame for his not getting the show but himself. The Jay vs Conan thing was NBC’s fault.

[@martyc909]

@@TheGodYouWishYouKnew well no. The deal between Jay and Dave for the Tonight Show is legendary. But Dave took his own advice when he didn’t get the Tonight Show, he went to CBS, and then proceeded to kick Jay’s ass for the first 3-4 years. It wasn’t until the Clinton scandal that Jay took the lead. By that time, Jay had found his footing in making the most inoffensive comedy ever, while Jay was known for pushing the edge a little bit more. So they each found their voice in all of this.

[@wills2379]

I love how he sets up the whole joke, (jay says conan shouldn't be blamed but his managers should, jay points out he has no managers or agents of his own) with the obvious punchline being "so blame Jay!", but stops just short of it because the answer is so palpably obvious to absolutely everyone.

[@gallery7596]

Don't recall Jay saying anything about Conan's managers. He just said that it wasn't fair to hold Conan totally responsible for "The Tonight Show's" bad ratings- and he was right about that, too, because Jay's 10pm show was partly to blame. However, there's no question the ratings slide began the first week Conan took over "The Tonight Show." *NBC* was mostly to blame for monkeying with what up until May 2009 had been an extremely successful line up. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[@Inbraneinthememsane]

Thank you captain imbecile dimwit obvious for pointing out

[@papillonvu]

Over the past 3 years, I got divorced, my business failed, and I my health deteriorated. I was so tempted to blame Conan, but thank goodness I stopped myself when I realized he had nothing to do with my problems… All along it was Jay Leno.

[@epilepticrants3371]

My dad loved Dave. I always wondered why. Now I'm pushing 40 and I see how he loved Dave's cynicism.

[@collectingmythoughts991]

I personally blame Lonnie Donegan.

[@pj101]

Yes she's a bitch

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

I blame him for a lot of music that's happened. Lots of major UK musicians in fhe 60s and early 70s got their start because of him.

[@drv3973]

That “well… don’t blame him” from Paul at 2:35 is exquisite. It’s my favourite bit. I come back to watch this every year or so.

[@blakemagnus6633]

Same. I come back every once in a while just to hear that delivery

[@TerranceMann]

3:45 leno impression cracked me up

[@TerranceMann]

+brian whalen i mean... it's a letterman impression tho

[@kiks399]

Letterman could say what ever the fuck he want to say. In my mind, Conan is the best and Letterman is simply Yoda.

[@JMFSpike]

It's a near perfect impression of him.

[@julianxavier1st]

is that a picture of the fictional character played by James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams?

[@TerranceMann]

no, it's a picture of me you jerk

[@manicpixelgirl]

There have been times I liked Letterman and times when I didn't, but I will always respect him for this.

[@sirxavior1583]

It says something when all the other late night hosts (Fallon, Kimmel, Colbert and O'Brien) all pay tribute to Letterman on this last show and hardly anyone payed tribute to Leno.

[@Elias6233]

I thought Kimmel and Fallon were the same person

[@pcbacklash_3261]

Wait...you mean they're not?!! :-P

[@effexwhore]

PCBacklash _ Kimmel is much less annoying. I’m offended that you thought he was the same person as Fallon.

[@Rick__C-137]

cluster c They're both humorless asses. They have their moments, but, for the most part, they're a waste of time.

[@chipgaasche4933]

Because all those idiots are FAR Left sheep...just like Letterman.

[@adamhunter3692]

And now we are all stuck with Fallon rather than an actual good host for the Tonight show

[@VicenzoV]

About this ongoing Coronavirus thing... please, don't blame Conan.

[@SweetBerryWine19]

Blame Lonny Donegan.

[@Zerox5861]

@@SweetBerryWine19 fuckin LONNY

[@firecrackerjack68]

Don't blame Conan

[@warrenjehosephat231]

I don't know. I feel like Conan could be doing more about covid.

[@rimrunz1795]

I hav more than a slight degree of concern that the Virology Institute of Wuhan.... May jus blame Conan

[@rabbitphobia]

Love him or hate him Letterman is the only talk show host with any balls to speak the truth he never ever sucks up to any celebrity he just says it as it is.

[@svyt]

To be fair, Kimmel had Leno on via a video link, and pretty much roasted him, to his face, in real time... EDIT: Wait, correction, I had that slightly backwards - Leno had Kimmel on his show (Leno's) via a video link, and was asking him some "interview" questions, and Kimmel roasted Leno... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnPXmqeFn8hpiMk

[@kurtbrigandi]

Vince Veloce Thats why Carson liked him so much and none of them stand even close to Carson.

[@gallery7596]

@@svyt That was pretty brutal, but Kimmel and Jay have been in communication since, and to his credit Jimmy said not too long ago that he'd be a jerk to continue to hate Jay.

[@RonWolfHowl]

@@gallery7596 To _continue._ Key word. He did the right thing at the time.

[@RonWolfHowl]

Not true. Conan's that way too 😁

[@simrsm5908]

conan is by far the most decent host in talk show business. I truly am incapable of explaining how I became such a fan of Conan's but I am certain that his genuine relatability as a human being has to do something with it.

[@OhioPaulDE]

Very much so.

[@Stopvotingdemocrat]

Conan’s 😊

[@JaydevRaol]

True

[@junglemoose2164]

Eh. Talk to people who’ve actually been on Conan’s shows. He comes off as disingenuous in the green room to many of his guests. Leno and Kimmel (and I don’t even like Jimmy Kimmel) are warm toward their guests. Don’t get me wrong, I like Conan more than Leno and Kimmel combined but Conan ain’t all that.

[@paddaaweh]

​@@junglemoose2164source?

[@calnortonjr4797]

"Well I feel I've gone too far yet again"....and we thank you for that Dave

[@GiantSandles]

Paul sounds like Rain Man in this just repeating every last couple of words Dave says

[@j-r-m7775]

GiantSandles Only less socially adept and he can't play poker for shit.

[@modelcitizenbrigade769]

+GiantSandles yeah..yeah...repeating every last couple of words

[@Hoganply]

+ModelCitizenBrigade Every last couple of words.

[@jainz84]

+Hoganply Couple of words..right..

[@thewhitegoldfish]

+GiantSandles Yeah. every last couple of words

[@NoOne-py5or]

Late night shows died when letterman and Conan left.

[@djmcau]

And Craig Ferguson

[@apurugganan]

@@djmcau Late night became a desert after Craig left

[@Muzikrazy213]

ALWAYS CraigyFerg 💀 🤖 🐴

[@JayShootHer]

We still have Jimmy Fallon

[@NoOne-py5or]

@@JayShootHer that isn’t something brag worthy

[@martymcfly5842]

Dave has never liked Jimmy Fallon. I think is may be Dave feels Jimmy tries to hard and comes off as disingenuous sometimes.

[@Magravated]

Fallon comes off as a network puppet. I can't stand him anymore.

[@johnprescott4488]

It's because he is

[@masterchef2965]

Fallon was always trash

[@hothotheat3000]

Sometimes? Lol, ALL the time. Him and James Corden.

[@masterchef2965]

@@hothotheat3000 cordens also garbage

[@Erkki_Mela]

I always come back to this clip, maybe once in a year or so. And always in that year, I forget how insufferable Paul is by ruining Dave’s jokes and timing.

[@pixiejenkins]

HahahHaaaaa so agree

[@imaramblins]

When Conan got the boot was the last time I watched the Tonight Show. I'm sure I'm not alone.

[@girliephotographer]

brother, you are not alone.

[@imaramblins]

OSCAR and EMMY: While in some ways I understand where you're coming from, I just can't agree and it begins with you calling the TS a "flagship" program. At the time, it had already ceased to be such. Furthermore, you' re also saying Fallon IS the type to head such a program that's in your mind? Seriously? And HE'S not "offbeat?" That seems contradictory to me. Thinking like that is also why Letterman got screwed out of the slot in favor of Leno in the first place. Strangely enough, I probably agree with Leno's politics the most out of all the late night show hosts, because he didn't just toe the typical liberal line. But, make no mistake, Leno was always looking out for Leno from the beginning. He was CERTAINLY NO victim. Perhaps watching the 60 minutes interview with Conan might give you some perspective.

[@imaramblins]

OSCAR and EMMY Don’t patronize me with such passive aggressive statements, like your last remark. It’s just bad form, and makes you look like a jerk. The fact is, on a lot of these points, we just have a different OPINION. I could write educated, and sourced, arguments about said topics. But it’s simply not worth my time. If YOU don’t understand what it means to “agree to disagree,” then you might want to think before you respond so arrogantly.

[@imaramblins]

OSCAR and EMMY Once again. That’s your opinion. Nothing more. Nothing less.

[@imaramblins]

@OSCAR and EMMY Just as trying to explain to someone what actual facts vs. opinions are, to someone as obtuse as yourself. You probably think Leno, his agent, lawyers and supporters in the industry had all the "facts" as well. In your world, they obviously did. *Sigh* Conan's had none right? Nope, no difference of opinion there on what went down, nor how it happened. Just straight facts right? SMH

[@kiks399]

There's no one like Letterman. That said, I love Conan.

[@reggin867]

Kiks' conan is better than dave

Leno was better than him any time of day .

[@chipgaasche4933]

No one as douchie as Letterman, you mean?

[@UnchainedMelodie92]

@Lmao I think that's the most ridiculously funny thing I've read all day!

[@timbettger]

Chip Gaasche - So true. Abso-fricken-lutley.

[@wakeupbell2491]

I love the delight on Daves' face when he says, "I just can't help myself." Lol!

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

He reminded a little bit of Bugs Bunny when he said this.

[@wakeupbell2491]

@@IronMan-tk8uc I guess I haven't watched enough Looney Tunes to see that, but your comment led me to review this clip which I appreciate. I find it endlessly entertaining!

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

@@wakeupbell2491 Ok, thanks.

[@beawriting]

I miss Dave. His presence is a major part of my childhood.

[@gnbman]

When I was a kid, we would watch Letterman and then switch right over to Conan when it ended lol

[@morbido13]

Entering the last third of 2020 and I still haven't blamed Conan. Seriously, whatever you do, don't blame Conan

[@patrickmorrissey3084]

Conan actually bears a lot of blame.

[@zacheryjequinto7259]

@@patrickmorrissey3084 how?

[@JustPlainAwfulStreams]

who the fuck measures the year in thirds

[@jebthegodemperor7301]

@@JustPlainAwfulStreams people with OCD lmao

[@letimoore]

@@JustPlainAwfulStreams Lmao....but the first part is true...never blamed him

[@vasishtvasan75]

"I'll hang around the lobby if you need me" - Dave 1 Leno 0

[@gallery7596]

"The other day Dave Letterman was demanding to see my birth certificate" - Dave 1 - Jay - 1.

[@therick004]

Take a look at the ratings when they were going head to head. Jay > Dave

[@UncleRichard.]

@@therick004 That is because Jay had the "older crowd" NBC right after the news. I'll bet most of his viewers were asleep at the time with the TV still on. Dave had a much better show, I watched him every night from 6th grade until I was around 20 years old. Letterman is a legend Jay will be forgotten.

[@therick004]

Ortiz whatever you kids wanna tell yourselves to help you sleep at night. Numbers don’t lie

[@tombstone1111]

@@therick004 Exactly right.

[@robpolaris7272]

“I’ll be in the lobby if you need me”.-Leno Dave kills me.

[@nicke.3782]

Leno was still under contract to NBC when Conan took over TTS. He couldn't go anywhere. That's the part Letterman left out. He will always be bitter that Leno got TTS instead of him.

[@robpolaris7272]

@ But saying things like “Din’t blame Conan” and not putting up any resistance to edging out Conan made him look bad

[@nicke.3782]

@@robpolaris7272 How did he edge out Conan??? Leno was going along at number 1 for many years and then Jeff Zucker from NBC comes to him and says Conan's team wants you out. It blindsided him. It's all in "The War For Late Night". Conan started the whole thing... yet he blames everything under the sun but himself for why he FAILED and then QUIT.

[@robpolaris7272]

@ Leno was out, no longer on the Tonight show. Then he got a 10 pm show. He slowly got later and later until displacing Conan. Yes, the execs were complicit but did Leno once say “This isn’t right, let’s not do this” No, it was “don’t blame Conan”..

[@nicke.3782]

@@robpolaris7272 Leno was out of TTS because of Conan.That's where it all started. Leno had no choice in any of it. His retirement date was put into play by Conan and NBC. And what exactly do you mean by "He slowly got later and later until displacing Conan?" How did Leno get "later and later?" Conan was a bad choice for TTS. He did not fit. He should have stayed in Late Night where he belonged.

[@mariossaraiva]

Dave is a master. When he did the tonight show, you feel like he is sitting there in your living room talking to you personally. All the other talk show hosts, except Conan, are putting on a performance that doesn't feel personal. They're presenting themself to the crowd.

[@gallery7596]

He was talented, but unfortunately all I see in this video is Dave's bitterness over being NBC's second choice to replace Carson all those years ago.

[@writingthefuture]

Craig Ferguson too, who was under Dave's production company!

[@gallery7596]

@@writingthefuture I always found it remarkable that for his last show, Craig chose as his only guest *Jay Leno.*

[@vars280287]

Jimmy Fallon is Lonnie Donegan lmao 😂😂

[@DiogenesOfDelaware]

Lol I thought this was the funniest bit of the clip

[@IamConnorMacLeod]

"I'll be in lobby, if you need me!"

[@paulafleck4577]

Wow. All I can say is wow. The fact that David Letterman addressed this issue and what a douche Jay Leno has always been is one of the classiest things I've ever seen. He knew that Leno has ALWAYS been a dirt bag and that what he did Conan Andy, and the rest of their crew was despicable and he let his viewers too While other hosts or celebrities wouldn't have and did not want to get their hands dirty or do anything that might have a negative backlash on them- David Letterman unapologetically spoke the truth. What a stand up guy Letterman is abd what a class act Conan is. And Jay Leno can suck it.

[@gallery7596]

REE: "The fact that David Letterman addressed this issue and what a douche Jay Leno has always been is one of the classiest things I've ever seen." Felt tinged with bitterness to me. He never seemed to get over being *NBC's* second choice to replace Carson. And let's remember that Dave's reputation wasn't exactly spotless considering the embarrassing scandal he was forced to admit to just a few months before the Jay/Conan thing came about. Jay didn't pick on him when that was happening either, but when it was Jay's turn to be in the middle of a public mess, Dave didn't show the same mercy. RE: "...and that what he did Conan Andy, and the rest of their crew was despicable..." But Conan green lit an *NBC* proposal he knew was deciding Jay's retirement date for him. Conan himself said he owed Jay a lot for the support he'd given him over the years at the network. It wasn't necessary for Conan to enter into that 5 year deal when his contract was set to expire before Jay's. He could've had a show with an earlier start time a lot sooner than *NBC* was offering him "The Tonight Show" at Jay and his staff's expense.

[@FredLord-sp4ym]

Jay understood the Entertainment/Television Business better than most managers and network executives. He represented himself, cutting out the middle "man" which in the end, was not a smart move as he had nobody to blame. "Do not blame 'Conan.'"

[@gallery7596]

@@FredLord-sp4ym Jay was wrong about that, though. We can in part blame Conan because (for one thing) it was his 2004 decision that set that debacle in motion.

[@ArmyJames]

It looks like “wow” was not all you had to say.

[@Verbal_Kent]

"I'll be in the lobby, if you need me.." 🤣🤣🤣

[@rubyannas7741]

The Leno impersonation sent me

[@Draeber]

yea me too. was spot on

[@sartainja]

Dave got the shaft from NBC but came out ahead in the long run with his move to CBS. He laughed all the way to the bank.

[@gallery7596]

Yes, Dave made a better decision going to CBS where they didn't require him to be #1, he got paid more than Jay, and if he'd stayed with *NBC,* it would've been him getting dropped for Conan or some other younger host. Not getting "The Tonight Show" turned out to be the best thing that could've happened for Dave's career.

[@gallery7596]

@@geoffok Jay said that Dave was the better talk show host, and as a standup Dave said Jay was the best there is. I think they're both right.

[@greenpea9412]

@@geoffok I agree completely. I have never though Jay was funny. Not in the least.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Had he gotten the NBC gig, the network would have forced guests like Ahmad Rashad, Joey Lawrence and Rick Dees on his show.

[@mappedgraphics]

"Don't blame Conan, blame the agents. That's what they do. Jay doesn't have agents..." Walked right up to the insult and stopped short

[@veggiesarefruits]

I'm so glad David spoke up about this. He and Conan are absolute class acts, and Letterman recognizes real comedic talent. Knowing both of them personally, I'm sure Letterman has a perspective that none of us does at all. The fact that he WASN'T surprised at Leno's heinous, classless behavior, really says something about his lack of character.

[@annem8152]

Dave considered Leno a FRIEND. Dave gave him spots on his first show frequently. once Leno got the chance though, he didn't look back at all. just grabbed the gig that everyone assumed was Dave's. No surprise he would then retire only to usurp Conan's show.

[@timcarr6401]

@@annem8152 Jay did no manipulation. He didn't go behind the scenes to look out for his good. He had no manager. Jay simply had the better ratings than Dave and Conan. False narratives abound with you guys.

[@delvictor7570]

@@timcarr6401Correct. These people are morons lol

[@huntermooney143]

This reminds me a lot of the situation with David and Jay back in the day. Everyone thought, including David's hero Johhny Carson, that David would replace Carson on the tonight show but it went to Leno. Carson made it very clear that he preferred Letterman and it felt like the mentor teaching the pupil. I feel like this is the same thing. Letterman has become the mentor and Conan the pupil. He's taking Conan's side just like Carson had done with him back in the day.

[@learnerlove6853]

I would like to live in the alternate universe where Dave got the Tonight Show

[@nickevers9571]

Carson might have wanted Letterman, but NBC who owns the show, did not. A big plus for Leno was that he guest hosted TTS WAY more than Letterman, so TTS audience was already well acquainted with him.

[@shecklesmack9563]

I was going to say Conan would’ve succeeded Dave after he retired, but Conan was kind of a genius last-minute pull from Lorne Michaels just because Dave left Late Night. I wonder how the whole roster of hosts would’ve been shaken up had Leno not yeeted Dave’s job. Maybe Conan’s untapped talents wouldn’t have been tapped at all.

[@Eric_W]

I quit watching when Carson left especially since Leno wasn't/isn't even remotely humorous.

[@MzKitka]

I never cared for Leno. I think he's funny sometimes. But to me he's not enjoyable as a host etc. Conan had the BEST ridiculous sketches, and I think he got away with a lot of fun, silly things bc his audience was down with it. I love Conan the most of that era, but sadly he wasn't for everyone. I don't think enough people "got" hi.m.

[@bvnseven]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/moO5p5iMYtecgpo

[@jamesdrynan]

Let's remember that O'Brian and his staff received a settlement from NBC of 45 million, ( 62 million today, ) to leave the network.

[@goodjob6582]

Jimmy Fallon comes no where close to letterman and Conan ... he has NO intellect

[@howlinmadmurphy7]

Lonny Donnigan?

[@markmullins132]

He's better than Colbert and Kimmel

[@KnightKD]

Mark Mullins not sure what kinda crack u on but fallon is not better than colbert

[@markmullins132]

@@pashadyne you better be black dropping those "N" Bombs

[@markmullins132]

@@KnightKD All Colbert does is hate on Trump (Like most comedians these days) it is NOT funny

[@ryancox5516]

I miss Dave every day, and am grateful I don't have to hear Paul twice as often

[@alxf66]

Amen to that.

[@justinmraap]

_You don't have to hear Paul twice as often?_

[@pamelacass9642]

@@justinmraap what did Ryan mean by that crack, I wonder?🤔

[@DerEchteBold]

@@pamelacass9642 I know what he meant ...but I can't decide if you're being sarcastic or not.

[@rickskellig4652]

TV's worst sidekick. My god he sucked lol

[@B1GK1NG]

Letterman’s impression of Jay Leno was hilarious 😂

[@helsinki]

Don't blame Conan... This is the talk show version of 'Brutus is an honorable man' monologue

[@thirtythreeflavors]

No one hosts a late show like the great Lonnie Donagan.

[@alvareo92]

lol love letterman whatshisname-ing Fallon

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

Too bad he Skiffled right out of there by the time the 60s rolled around.

[@edallen1921]

So sad that i was too young to appreciate Daves humor. Only into my 20s and now almost 30 can i look at his time on TV and his time at the Comedy Store and fully appreciate his humor and schtick.

[@MyOpinionMatterss]

I love Dave but Paul makes his show unwatchable. They really new to take his mic away.

[@chrisjohnston4445]

Yes! Thank you! I stopped watching soon after the jump to CBS because a) Dave wasn't doing any more of the cooler stuff he did on NBC, and b) PAUL NEVER SHUTS UP! His comments are NEVER funny!

[@kathrynjohnson2642]

MyOpinionMatterss i

[@SamuelTerburg84]

A lot of wild stuff happened in 2024 and I can't find anyone who blames Conan.

[@Youdoyouyeah]

After all these years... still the most epic take down of anybody I’ve seen on late night. Just a complete massacre. Dave was a straight up G.

[@gallery7596]

A very bitter man, too.

[@bechtoea]

I think the whole damn thing reeks of jealousy. I said what I said.