http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6115643/
Jay Leno’s takeover as host of NBC’s “Tonight” show in 1992 was fraught with drama and bad feelings, but he’s assured the next transition will be as smooth as his nightly sign-off: “Stay tuned for Conan.”
The comedian and NBC on Monday chose the 50th anniversary of the first “Tonight” show to set a special date for the 55th — when Leno will step down and Conan O’Brien becomes the fifth host of the television institution.
Announcing a transition in five years is odd for any business, let alone one that frequently plans from day-to-day, but NBC was anxious not to lose O’Brien. The 41-year-old “Late Night” host was considered likely to jump to another network without a promise of advancement.
Leno beat out David Letterman for the “Tonight” job, sparking a feud that lives on and was even the subject of a book and movie, “The Late Shift.”
Leno recalled the animosity on his show Monday, saying “a lot of good friendships were permanently damaged.”
“Quite frankly, I don’t want to see anybody go through that again,” he said.
On his show Monday, Letterman wished O’Brien “all the best” and repeatedly mocked the idea of a 2009 changeover.
“I think he said he couldn’t take it another minute so he’s leaving in 2009,” Letterman said.
“I wonder if I can get a tape over there,” Letterman added.
Responded his sidekick, Paul Shaffer: “It may be a little late.”
