Jimmy Kimmel Sucker-Punched Jay Leno | Letterman

Jimmy gets in the middle of the Jay Leno-Conan O'Brien mess and Dave loves every second of it.
(From "Late Show," air date: 3/16/10)
#jimmykimmel #jayleno #letterman
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. The language may strike you as quaint & flowery, the clothing comically lacey & ornate - but that’s how things were back in this colorful and now bygone era.

[@catherinegigliotti1368]

I seem to remember Jimmy really having a tough time over the Leno, Conan thing. My good goodness, I so love good storytelling from Jimmy. Thanks for the memories, David

[@jasonezzell6901]

@@holderbee7811 He just hosted the Oscars for the third time so I'm not sure what your definition of "wants to be famous" is

[@SunnyDiegoProduction]

@@holderbee7811you, me and a few million other people seem to know of his fame lol

[@stanleynowak9325]

Who cares?

[@Heybabetv]

Kimmel really came thru for Conan. Honestly, I’m so glad he’s part of the late night circuit and cemented himself as a late night host.

[@invisiblemanmusic]

Dave always lights up whenever someone trashes Jay.

[@gallery7596]

Yup, Dave's bitterness is legendary.

[@wintercame]

@@gallery7596 It's his sense of fair play. Plus he had direct experience with the Carson-Leno hand off when he should have got the Tonight Show.

[@gallery7596]

It's been said by more than one of Dave's colleagues at *NBC* that it was his failure to maintain a cordial and cohesive relationship with the very people who were choosing Carson's replacement that cost him "The Tonight Show." That's on Dave.

[@barryallen871]

​@@wintercameLetterman got passed up for the Tonight Show?? This is the first I'm hearing about this. 🤷

[@rahulshah1408]

Leno is smart as hell. But I would trust him to ever die.

[@MedalionDS9]

Kimmel is so loyal to Dave... roasted Leno on his own show

[@uuclmusic2711]

What a pal!

[@gallery7596]

Yes, (like Dave) I don't think Kimmel ever got over *NBC* choosing Jay to replace Carson.

[@browsertab]

Leno kind of punked Kimmel. Leno was in talks to go to 11:30pm on ABC and Kimmel was prepared to move his show to 12:30pm but Leno never called back, lol. Leno on ABC would have been amazing for Kimmel's career but he seems to have done well regardless.

[@gallery7596]

@@browsertab Jay should've called to tell Kimmel the deal had fallen thorough. That just would've been good manners (like Conan should've consulted Jay before signing that *NBC* deal that was deciding his retirement date). Still, if that's the worst thing Kimmel personally has on Jay Leno, then yes, (just as you said) he seems to have done well regardless. I don't think Jay's faux pas ruined Kimmel's life.

[@nicke.3782]

@@browsertab If somebody doesn't call you back... does that mean you can't call them and ask for an update? Time to grow up.

[@ytzpilot]

Nephew done ate 6 pieces of chicken already 😂

[@ylette]

That grammar is a little faulty.

[@chrisarseneault5617]

I didnt even need to watch this video. Seeing the title: "who cares who sucker punched Leno" automatically gets a thumbs up from me.

[@TimothyATaylor]

Jimmy Kimmel is a huge Letterman fan.

[@RonPerillo]

Haha yeah , how many children request to have a David Letterman-themed birthday party like Jimmy instead of Star Wars?

[@mikewhite4560]

Do you work for the SPACE FORCE?

[@zacharyhendrix4105]

Letterman and Kimmel is gold!

[@DELIGHT0504]

DONT BLAME CONAN 😂

[@gallery7596]

Why not? He's partially responsible.

[@bigoltits1880]

What if I told you that this person who has replied to you (@Gallery) is actually a notorious tr011? Just search "Leno vs Conan" and click the first 5 videos that come up on KZbin. I will bet my salary that you'll find @Gallery's anti-Conan comments under ALL of those videos. This person has no life to live, so they spend all their time hating on conan online. I was able to trace @Gallery's comment history back to 9 years. He has been doing this for 9 years. THe same old talking points that defend Leno and demonize conan, the same old lies. Relentless. I've noticed this sick person's comments on like 12 videos so far. He is a tr011 through and through. Just thought you should know who you're talking to. 9 years, dude.

[@NevinNolte]

What a great time period in late night.

[@GetALifeMiley]

Never going to come back.

[@BigWilt2000]

An era I swear

[@BigWilt2000]

@@GetALifeMileyI know man. What a time to be

[@HOTD108_]

​@@GetALifeMileyLate Night as a format was inherently dependant on appointment TV, which just doesn't exist anymore with how the internet evolved since people can watch at any time of day. Late Night probably won't exist in another 5-10 years from now. But hey, don't cry because it's gone, smile because it happened.

[@BearbearbearbearbearbearRarrrr]

B Gaines to the rescue (again). Loving the reminders of how much of this show, came through her hard work, dedication, and watchful eye. True Maestro...

[@RZLAND]

Letterman on Kimmel tonight!

[@kesagatame]

I could watch a 3-hour special of these two!!

[@johndavis3921]

I am deducing that Dave's scheduled appearance on Kimmel is tonight, March 15, 2023.

[@MadDragon75]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this! What a blast from the past!

[@kstepko]

Always nice to see a sneak peak of Barbara: perhaps she should make the whistle a gimmick on her own show …

[@BearbearbearbearbearbearRarrrr]

The Architect of all that's been great about this show.

[@elilianinha]

It is good to see them.together...love from Brazil

[@NefastusJones]

Nobody better blame Conan.

[@gallery7596]

But he is partly to blame.

[@alphanerd7221]

@@gallery7596 This ought to be funny. Try to explain that.

[@dirtybirdy1212]

@@alphanerd7221 The person you replied to has been obsessively defending Leno's actions under dozens of anti-Leno videos here on youtube. I was able to trace @Gallery's comment history back to 9 years. 9 years this man has spent polishing Leno's dirtied public image. You can look for him yourself under other anti-Leno videos. He'll be there. He'll be there to defend Leno's non-existent honour.. it's kinda amazing

[@markjackson6431]

⁠@@dirtybirdy1212 he would take part of your sentence…not the whole thing, part of it and would respond to that to back up what every narrative he was spewing. and when you would call him out of that. he would continue to do it while claiming he wasn’t. and he would give like pages in his responses. and i’m thinking i know most people like myself have done their research. i read The Late Shift and The War With Late Night. i’d give him quotes from the books and he’d try to disprove them. like bro, you got a hard on for the man, we get it.

[@dirtybirdy1212]

@@markjackson6431 dude. You used the phrase "he would..." In your comment and it's inaccurate because it implies that he is healthier now and he has stopped this behaviour. But he still hasn't stopped 😅 10 years later, he is still doing this to this day. Can you imagine living his "life"?

[@daemonofdecay]

People might talk down about Kimmel, and I didn’t watch his show, but him going after Leno like that live earned my respect.

[@gallery7596]

I watch Kimmel's show. Terrific monologue. But, I don't agree with what he said. Conan went after Jay's job, not the other way round.

[@dokterclaw1083]

@@gallery7596 that's not how things happened at all

[@nicke.3782]

@@dokterclaw1083 Really? Please enlighten us as to what you think happened.... with detail.

[@gallery7596]

@@dokterclaw1083 Read *"The War For Late Night: When Leno Went Early & Television Went Insane" by Bill Carter.*

[@bobhouse288]

Respect! Please, that man deserves zero respect.

[@Jryan81]

The influence of Letterman is so apparent in guys like Kimmel and Conan that carried the torch - I know comics and even Letterman himself acknowledge Leno as an all time comedian, but his influence is so much harder to find in good comedy

[@danielhoward8354]

lmao I googled that phrase and Daves tweet came up from 2010 lol

[@GardenGirlD76]

I am only loyal to Letterman but I sure do like Jimmy Kimmel. He has done a great job at the Oscars. Had some good punchlines this year for sure!

[@jessicaking6951]

I wish David Letterman would come back he is the greatest I really miss

[@b.k8051]

Jimmy has had a huge glow up in the last 13 years

[@senorfish2503]

Glow up?

[@b.k8051]

@@senorfish2503 an improvement in his appearance

[@wintercame]

He's almost unrecognizable, he lost weight, fixed his hair, grew a beard, maybe got a lid lift. He's downright good looking.

[@ocan1033]

@@wintercame Still rather weaselesque ..

[@wintercame]

@@ocan1033 Eye of the beholder.

[@garrykanter5773]

Kimmel is a very funny guy and has a great TV personality.

[@ccricc]

Next time Dave goes on The Barbara Gaines Show he should bring a whistle, give her a taste of her own medicine!

[@MikesOrganicVideos]

I’ve been a fan of Jimmy Kimmel since Win Ben Stein‘s Money. Jimmy was the reason I watched that show. I tolerated Ben Stein. When Jimmy left to do The Man show, which, of course, I also watched, I tried watching it with other people, I think Jimmy’s cousin Sal may have even been given a shot for a few episodes, But the others? Lame. I knew Jimmy was destined for bigger and better things. Just as I knew the same for David Letterman, when I got up early to watch his morning show with Rich Hall and Edie McClurg.

[@coleary0801]

Loved Kimmel taking it to Leno!!

[@escfrizby]

lmao the whistle is good

[@qua9]

It's quite telling how so many of the late-night talk show hosts dislike Jay Leno. Means that even aside from the Conan debacle, he must be a pretty unpleasant man.

[@AB_223]

Or he was #1 and Letterman couldn’t stand it.

[@actownsend7288]

Yay!!!!! You two are my heroes!!!

[@mcnallyaar]

I was prepared to dislike this, yet I found myself delighted!

[@folarinosibodu]

reminds me of the prank of jimmy pretending to be wax and he cousin nearly fell and almost cracked her head open

[@paulocuaresma9480]

This is so funny 😂

[@AaronBowley]

old kimmel was so awesome, miss that guy. RIP

[@RoyRodgers-pw4gm]

Too many trips to Epstein Island.

[@lanowyn]

​@@RoyRodgers-pw4gm lmao okay Aaron rodgers

[@timmartin8191]

What fun!

[@aaronburratwood.6957]

Very cool & RIP Kirsty Alley.

[@emu_warrior]

eww scientologist

[@sera2775]

Dave is still waiting for the carrier pigeon 2 deliver

[@burnacco]

ain't no words to express how MUCH I appreciate y'all cutting the entrances with the ANNOYING A** audience screaming like animals like ironically on Kimmel's which is by far the most insufferable like seriously can't they at least turn it down?? finally a late night channel for grownups, every single talk show channel could and should learn from this one fr

[@woog74]

Dont. Blame. Conan.

[@Jack-rk7jc]

I almost did until Jay said it was OK not to. what a nice guy

[@wintercame]

@@Jack-rk7jc He's a real sweetheart, isn't he?

[@DarknessIsThePath]

Please ladies and gentlemen, don't blame Conan.

[@TheKentuckyNightmare]

I blame Lonnie Donegan, if anybody.

[@Theguy5117]

I hope you’re not thinking about blaming Conan

[@robclarkson5356]

This is fun but it's all about the Barbara moment. That's why we're all here.

[@danielhoward8354]

TWO GREATS

[@sensitivesatan]

that’s a good way to get shot dave 😂

[@KP-zd3hc]

I think Snoop refers to everyone as his ‘nephews’. Like Nick Cannon. 😂

[@teglin]

where can I find the Kirstie Alley interview?

[@rocknrolljunkie1000]

imagine owning a tiger woods wax figure with a bullet hole from the cops in it. that would be worth a fortune lol

[@yellowleaf28]

Don't care, love them all, including Jay.

[@waitselljones8068]

Jimmy..... Jay......... ......... USO!!!!

[@bryanweis]

Letterman and craig Ferguson need to come back !

[@mactheknife7049]

Just as Carson saw Letterman as his heir to the late night throne, I think Letterman sees Kimmel in the same light. It's not overt of course, but it's evident.

[@aniruddh3258]

Nah, I think Conan is the preferred heir by Letterman

[@mactheknife7049]

@@aniruddh3258 How many times did Letterman appear on any of his shows? I believe the answer is once - in 1994, when O'Brien was staring cancellation right in the eye. By contrast he's been on Kimmel numerous times. Again, not overt, but evident.

[@jimmy8669]

Nah Dave hates when people grovel over him.

[@IrOnCuRtAiN61]

@@mactheknife7049 Dave appeared many times on LNwCOB especially when Conan's main competitor at that time on 12:30 AM timeslot was Tom Snyder's TLLSwTS.

[@cactaceous]

@@aniruddh3258 Not even close. Heir? He could not have care less about anything concerning an heir. I guarantee that. He showed up to Conan’s Late Night show because it was struggling and well, he created the show. He has showed up to Mayer’s Late Night as well because well, he created the show. Jimmy Kimmel’s show is the only one he does without an obligation. It’s going to be 8 years in May since he retired and he has yet to go on Colbert’s Late Show.

[@mdog2435]

Was this a special recent episode of the David Letterman show?

[@inrainbowman]

RIP ❤😢

[@janishart5128]

WHO the hell are you "RIPing"??!!

[@We_Reddit]

That's really a terrible wax figure of anyone alive.

[@esava44]

Man, when Kimmel was funny.

[@SmokinFoolz]

norm already explained this twitterverse to Dave

[@jimmy8669]

We don’t get Kimmel in Australia. I prefer the Dave style of leftie…Couple of Bush jokes…a Clinton Joke…then time to throw things off the roof.

[@ocan1033]

Actually Dave set the stage for Kimmel's lame 'political' humor. In the old days he'd take a swing at both Clinton and Bush then throw TVs off the roof. But in his later years he became a standard, vacuous Hollywood lefty. "Woke up" and had climate change pundits on in place of stupid pet tricks. And was always bitter toward Leno for taking the Tonight Show from him (in his mind.)

[@PervanIlle]

😍😍😍

[@AB_223]

Slimy move from Kimmel here. He’s such a Stern and Letterman fanboy that he just does what they want for their approval like a lapdog.

[@mulletforyou]

That account is pretty quite now

[@kerryrobinson9947]

Wow, Jimmy without a beard. Pass the extra crispy. 🐔🔥💥😎

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

James Christian "Jimmy" Kimmel (Brooklyn, Nueva York; 13 de noviembre de 1967) es un cómico, actor, presentador, guionista y productor de televisión estadounidense. Es más conocido por ser el productor ejecutivo y presentador del talkshow Jimmy Kimmel Live!, de la cadena ABC, desde 2003. También es conocido por participar en producciones como The Man Show, Win Ben's Steins Money, y por haber producido Crank Yankers, Sports Show with Norm Mcdonald y The Andys Milonakis Show. 56 AÑOS.

[@user-db6pt7vr3l]

No bigger a whole out there than this guy.

[@RCRitterFPV]

lol early tweets...

[@hellpoint7534]

Kimmel is a funny guy.

[@mikec-hamilton]

That looked nothing like tiger

[@sadhbh4652]

I like Jimmy Kimmel. He seems real. He has an acerbic wit.

[@ytsn_THE_OG]

Oof

[@ocan1033]

He's a tool.

[@BIGBRADYHO]

Kimmel is goated shoutout to Letterman the real greatest from San Antonio

[@mdog2435]

When did Jimmy shave his beard?😵😮😤

[@neen42]

2010

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

he's a better, funnier guest than most comedians. Goes without saying he's 1,223,498 times funnier and glib-ber than whatsisname on the Tonight Show. What's his name? I got a block. Pain and boredom will do that in your memory. Oy. Pain.

[@lucrecia007]

Jimmy def looks better now as he got older 😬🤭

[@VicGChad07]

WTH KIMMEL

[@whitedevil2]

6:42 Dave sounds like the guy at the high school reunion fondly reminiscing how fun it was when everyone used to give each other swirlies and stuff each other into lockers when he was actually the only one that did it to others.

[@batswbennett]

Reactionaries don't like comedy.

[@brandonnazar4754]

4:55

[@myrnashoults9735]

That really is a terrible likeness of Tiger

[@johnomara6082]

Kimmel reminds me of Rupert Pupkin in this piece. He and Letterman drooling all over each other.

[@spenser9908]

Not sure I've ever laughed at anything Kimmel's said.

[@Dumpsack]

Jay Lenos alt account ^^

[@commanderkeen3787]

Jimmy Kimmel is no longer with us?

[@BIGBRADYHO]

Hahaha he literally just hosted the oscars sunday

[@TOPOM42]

Hopefully not. Cry baby lib patsy

[@armancz]

Funny Jimmy is no more, сuскed Jimmy is still around thou

[@emu_warrior]

unfortunately he got slapped by will smith yesterday for his oscar jokes and passed away from second hand embarrassment :(

[@VicGChad07]

One can only wish.

[@nnoy8]

Off subject I’m just wondering what Jay Leno’s appeal was as I never thought he was in Elise but funny compared to all very talented comedians out there?

[@randyjames4713]

I can give you his address if you'd like. No thanks !

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

Before Kimmel became the poster child for TDS.

[@monkeyface_handsome]

David, I honestly didn't like you till you retired. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@jamesrideout123]

He was fatter here

[@sunnyskiesblue]

Can't stand Kimmel. I liked him during "Win Ben Steins Money." After that, nope.

[@TheKeithterry]

I'm not a Kimmel fan.

[@trini4204]

Well I am

[@ocan1033]

Might have something to do with his sucking.

[@theamazingreptar]

Naf lemmik a ton M'i

[@Willie_]

Your loss

[@jamesrideout123]

Then off to Epstien Island he went.

[@navasaband]

There’s some funny here, but in the end, FJK for being an Establishment shill.

[@_Doguru]

So many lame comments.

[@richardvervoorn6626]

Jay is still going and he’s still loved widely.

[@mastermill79]

Jay is about as popular as stage 4 cancer.

[@gallery7596]

@@mastermill79 With Team Coco maybe, but (as Conan proved), they represent a minority.

[@sensitivesatan]

is he tho

[@wintercame]

Nah, he never recovered from the PR debacle. He became unlikable.

[@nicke.3782]

@@wintercame According to you. Did you take a national survey or are you just saying that because you don't like Leno? I'm betting it's the latter.

[@Sladefile]

The good ol' times when Kimmel was actually entertaining.

[@FlandersB]

Never experienced that myself.

[@roberturibe3150]

His political commentary is spot on

[@integral]

They get him to host the Oscars because he's not entertaining?

[@gallery7596]

Regarding "I asked him 10 questions about stealing Conan's job from him": after reading Bill Carter's book "The War For Late Night: When Leno Went Early & Television Went Insane" it would be interesting to know if Jimmy would ask Conan a few questions about why he green lit *NBC's* plan to drop Jay so he could have "Tonight Show." In all honesty, wasn't that both an aggressive move on Conan's part, and unnecessary since Conan could've had a show with an earlier start time a lot sooner at *ABC* or *FOX?*

[@jamesmiller5331]

Obviously these guys keep it tonight show as prestigious and want to be a part of that lineage. Conan watched how NBC did Dave Letterman and wanted to make sure it didn't happen to him. Yet in the end what happened to Conan was even worse lol

[@gallery7596]

@@jamesmiller5331 Yes, Conan thought a 40 million dollar penalty written into his contract would prevent *NBC* from backing out on their deal with him. Of course, what Conan really needed to get was a time slot protection clause as that would've stopped them from trying to move Conan to 12:05am. It was really strange that even after the way they mistreated both Jay and Dave, Conan thought *NBC* couldn't do the same thing to him.

[@jamesmiller5331]

@@gallery7596 yeah I finally got ahold of the book on the subjects by Bill Carter I've owned the hardback copy of The Late Shift for a long time but recently listened to the audio version of part 2. I'm not sure why the subject fascinates me so much

[@gallery7596]

@@jamesmiller5331 Carter's an excellent historian of what went down behind the scenes. And considering the anger that the whole Conan thing in particular continues to inspire, it's clear this subject fascinates a great many people.

[@bigoltits1880]

@@jamesmiller5331 What if I told you that this person who has replied to you (@Gallery) is actually a notorious tr011? Just search "Leno vs Conan" and click the first 5 videos that come up on KZbin. I will bet my salary that you'll find @Gallery's anti-Conan comments under ALL of those videos. This person has no life to live, so they spend all their time hating on conan online. I was able to trace @Gallery's comment history back to 9 years. He has been doing this for 9 years. THe same old talking points that defend Leno and demonize conan, the same old lies. Relentless. I've noticed this sick person's comments on like 12 videos so far. He is a tr011 through and through. 9 years of this, dude.

[@weing]

Several billion people in the world and the only ones having anything bad to say about Jay Leno are about a half-dozen embittered comedians.

[@gallery7596]

There's Team CoCo, too, but they can't admit that Conan contributed to his own failure.

[@ocan1033]

Agreed. I loved Letterman when I was young but he grew bitter and overtly political (like Kimmel et al.) I didn't even like Leno's Tonight Show (though he was very funny coming up as a comedian.) But he seems like a way more genuine person than the bitter has-beens taking swipes at him, and he never plays that game.

[@bigoltits1880]

@@gallery7596 again you're over-generalizing and launching ad hominem attacks on us all. And we're the bad guys?

[@bigoltits1880]

It's way more than half a dozen and you're completely ignoring a few million people who hate leno's guts. When was the last time you've a video essay here on youtube that defends Leno and attacks conan? Never. Because there aren't any. Every single video essay and deep dive into the Leno vs Conan feud comes to the inevitable conclusion that conan was in the right.

[@normanbyrne9868]

Leno living rent free in these guys heads for years.

[@KungEMuller]

Wow! David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel are actually friends. I'm surprised that Dave would be friends with someone who later became very political on late night TV.

[@brucelee4996]

Your surprised that Jimmy tells political jokes ? Just about every late-night talkshow makes/made political jokes.

[@KungEMuller]

@@brucelee4996 I'm surprised that he's doing full monologues about politics now. He used to tell jokes about everything. Now, he and all of the other current late night guys (except for Andy Cohen) are all narrow when it comes to doing monologues and shows.

[@teeveeparty]

Letterman was never afraid to call out politicians.

[@KungEMuller]

@@teeveeparty At least he didn't talk about them all the time.

[@integral]

@@KungEMuller Full monologues of political jokes? You just let on you don't watch his monologues. Nice job. 😂

[@mikegammon1]

god i hate jimmy kimmel

[@GetALifeMiley]

Kimmel is horrible, but his bashing Leno on his whole show was the best thing he’s ever done.

[@heatedpoolandbar]

I loathe Jimmy Kimmel. Not only is he a hypocrite, he isn’t funny.

[@integral]

😂😂😂

[@oldironsides4107]

He used to be about 20 years ago

[@mdog2435]

BS Click bait. Per JK in 2022, He admitted, “I’m fine with him now, we’ve spoken. It’s fine.”

[@emu_warrior]

this was 12 years before 2022 lmao learn to read

[@VicGChad07]

Try reading OADs.

[@oldironsides4107]

You thought this was an interview from this year we’re watching?

[@ocan1033]

Letterman had the best show back in the day but both he and Kimmel are tools now. To his credit, Leno let these guys run their mouths and counted his money.

[@dreamcatcher5502]

Jimmy took a lot of cheap shots at the Oscars this year. He was a HORRIBLE host !!! Leave Spielberg alone Jimmy !!!! 🙄

[@gallery7596]

Yes, his "but that's not how mommy said it" line was cringing. Hard to imagine Spielberg appreciated it.

[@bigoltits1880]

@@gallery7596 Did you just say "cringing" instead of "cringey" ... comedy isn't meant to be appreciated by everyone, my Spergie friend