PASADENA, Calif. -- "The Jay Leno Show" is the biggest unknown variable of the fall TV season.
Conventional wisdom suggests it may be an unmitigated ratings disaster. But there's also the possibility it will offer viewers a welcome change -- comedy at 10 p.m. Whatever happens, Leno said he's unconcerned.
"If it doesn't work, well, show business pays a lot of money so when they screw you, you have something left," Leno said. "I realize at this point I'm doing it now because I like it."
Up until now, it hasn't been clear how Leno's new show will differ from his version of "The Tonight Show," which is now hosted by Conan O'Brien. But details of "The Jay Leno Show" are beginning to emerge:
-- Probably no desk, except maybe as a place to read headlines from.
-- More comedy, less music. Leno said there will be a greater emphasis on pre-taped comedy segments and less on music because music, while energizing for the studio audience, is less likely to draw viewers at home. Expect music performances just twice a week. Packaged segments will be reported by a stable of correspondents, including D.L. Hughley (doing politics in "D.L. from D.C."), Mikey Day, Rachael Harris, Jim Norton and The Dan Band. In addition "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams, who has a sharp sense of humor never seen on the evening news, will contribute segments.
-- A race track has been built near Leno's studio where celebrities will be encouraged to drive electric vehicles in competition with one another.
-- Signature Leno comedy bits -- headlines, Jaywalking -- will air late in the broadcast, and Leno will toss to 11 p.m. newscasts with no commercial break in between.
-- Just one guest per night, maybe two.
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Leno said he has no expectation or particular desire to save NBC, which has foundered in the ratings in recent years. He said he didn't go to ABC because the public would see him as greedy.
"I've been with NBC my whole life. There are things I like and things I don't like but much like a marriage, you work it out," Leno said, adding that he understood NBC's desire to manage the succession of hosts at "The Tonight Show," sending him packing while the show was still No. 1.
"You feel a little twinge. That's OK, you're a grownup and you've had your chance," Leno said. "There's only so much pie you can eat."
One reporter asked Leno to comment on the passing of Michael Jackson and
the resignation of Sarah Palin, which both happened while he's been off
the air.
"And those two go hand in hand," Leno quipped. "I felt bad like everyone else [about Jackson] but then again, the Palin thing cheered me up."
Now he's ready for his new prime-time series and he feels supported by NBC.
"They've really thrown their support behind this," Leno said. "I was getting a little complacent on 'The Tonight Show.' I'm excited about this. I think it will be fun and if we go down in flames, we'll be laughing on the way. At least it will shake up the landscape a little bit."
Posted
Aug 05 2009, 07:47 PM
by
Rob Owen