LENO NBC Primetime - 10:00pm MON-FRI (Part 2)

I don't think Dave thought that through.
It seemed as much an ad for Leno as it was for Dave.
It also helps Leno's image as he seems magnanimous by participating.

Odd move by Dave.
But there was shock value for sure.

 

I think it was a brilliant move by Dave. Yes, it helped Leno, but I think it helped Dave more; he was absolutely brutal to Jay for those two weeks, and this dissipates any backlash against him and makes him look like a great guy for having the idea to include Jay. Plus, he STILL gets to complain about him AND mock his voice in the ad! Plus, it's an ad for HIS show!

The only thing that bothers me about the whole thing was Jay's reaction to the invitation: "This is how show business is supposed to be" -- meaning Jay can behave callously in agreeing to replace Conan, and there's no hard feelings afterward. It plays right into his whole mentality that there's nothing wrong with what he did. I think it's telling of both men that Jay was absolutely exuberant about the whole thing on his show last night, and Dave only mentioned it briefly and didn't turn it into a "Storytime with Dave" segment.

 

'Tonight Show' bandleader Kevin Eubanks quits

 

So how will we know when Jay has gotten to the punchline?

 

Easy...a beat-and-a-half, then he repeats it. Same as always.

 

That's a real bummer - they have terrific chemistry. I'd like to hear more about why or how this is happening...

Jeff

 

Kevin wants to do a bit of touring.

I don't know about chemistry, as some of Leno's jabs had pervasive undertones.

 

Maybe he'll join Conan's new show?

I wonder if Kevin maybe knows a bit more about the behind-the-scenes stuff.

Evan

 

I think Kevin knew it was over when Kimmel's bandleader imitated him. Ouch!

 

Seriously...that "bit" may have put his life into some kind of perspective.

 

That's totally what I meant. Seeing that had to have a sobering effect.

 

Kevin's gig is one of the best a musician can get. He probably get's 100k or more a year and never really has to travel/tour. There'a reason those guys keep those jobs for decades if they can.

Is there really significant demand for albums or touring? he did an album maybe 20 years ago that became a cutout bin special.

 

What is this, 1968?

 

You think he's clearing a mil?

Why on earth is he quitting? He had some options to tour in the several months before the start fo the 10 pm show.

 

I have a feeling there's a lot more to this story than we may ever know. The timing is just weird; if he was feeling restless, he could have declined to be part of the 10:00 show.

 

Plus, if there were animosity he wouldn't be back for the opening show. Must be Kevin wanting to leave and they begged him to be there for the (re)premier.

 

You guys are falling victim to the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy. We have no evidence this decision has anything to do with the recent Tonight Show controversy. Most likely it doesn't have anything to do with Leno personally either. Regardless of what one thinks of his actions in the Tonight Show controversy, everything I've heard suggests Leno is a great boss who is well-liked by his employees.

Kevin Eubanks has been mocked as an Ed McMahon-style sycophant for years (on Mad TV among other places). I am sure he was quite aware that was his public image before Jimmy Kimmel's parody.

 

Maybe that was the last nail in the coffin.

 

I think Eubanks is just tired of doing the same job after 18 years. And I bet he was getting more than $100K a year even back in 1992. I would guess since he's in both AFTRA and the AFofM, plus he arranges the music (and gets royalties for reruns), I bet he's getting at least $1M a year at this point. If he socked enough of it away, he could have a very comfortable life just doing live shows a few days a week and living on the interest.

The big question for me is, who will replace him? And I wonder how much longer Stuttering John will last?

 

I wonder if Kevin feels bad at having been a part of this NBC late night fiasco.

Evan

 

My guess is that when Conan took over "The Tonight Show", Eubanks was relieved he still had a steady (and well paying) job with Leno at 10.

 

Sounds like you're falling victim to some Latin fallacy!

 

If I understood the joke, I would have laughed....give it to Leno so he can middle-Americanize it!

Evan

 

I was referring to a post earlier today:

 

Missed that--okay. Could be, I suppose.

Evan