Washington [US]: Veteran TV host and comedian Jay Leno has opened up about one of the most regretful moments of his career—his infamous on-air clash with Jimmy Kimmel in 2010.
In a candid conversation on In Depth With Graham Bensinger, Leno revisited the controversial appearance Kimmel made on The Tonight Show over a decade ago, where Kimmel publicly criticized Leno for reclaiming the show from Conan O’Brien. The move had followed a decline in ratings for both The Jay Leno Show and the restructured late-night lineup.
During the 2010 appearance, when Leno asked Kimmel about the funniest prank he’d ever pulled, Kimmel replied sharply, “I told a guy that five years from now I’m going to give you my show, and then when the five years came, I gave it to him, and then I took it back almost instantly.”
Leno admitted he allowed the moment to air unedited. “When Kimmel came on my show and humiliated me on my own show, I let it happen,” he said. “It was my mistake, I trusted somebody… and it’s fine. I should pay the price. That’s how you learn.”
Though the incident created lasting friction, Leno said he never found it to be “good TV,” despite what others claimed. “It started a whole thing that continues to this day,” he added. “But it’s okay. He’s a comic — you do what you gotta do.”
However, the two comedians eventually reconciled. In 2017, after Kimmel’s son Billy underwent open-heart surgery, Leno reached out to express support. Kimmel acknowledged their improved relationship and even praised Leno’s career, stating, “You can’t argue with Leno’s success and his longevity.”
The incident remains a notable chapter in late-night TV history, revealing the personal complexities behind the camera