Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Monologues Take Jabs at 'Tonight' Transition
Wednesday's late night was a good chance for users to test out their new multi-channel DVRs as hosts took NBC to task over its now official "Tonight" show transition.
Now that NBC finally has confirmed reports that Jimmy Fallon would be replacing him on NBC's "Tonight" show, Jay Leno delivered some zingers at the top of his monologue.
"I want to congratulate our good friend Jimmy Fallon," Leno started. "He is a hell of a guy! He's going to do a great job. I just have one request for jimmy: we've all fought, kicked, and scratched to get this network up to fifth place, now we have to keep it there! Jimmy, don't let it slip into sixth! We are counting on you! We're counting on you, Jimmy."
Clearly, Leno couldn't keep himself from throwing a jab at the network's recent ratings slip (though, it has since recovered). And he also got a chance to gesture to one of the reported reasons Fallon was hired: to lower the age of the show's audience demo.
"Things move so quickly; Jimmy hasn't even taken over yet and the rumors [are] already starting," he says. "Like NBC says in five years they plan to replace Jimmy with Justin Bieber. They are moving too quickly! Moving too quickly!"
Leno wasn't alone. Following his earlier congratulatory comments for Fallon earlier, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel took a moment to acknowledge the changing of the guard.
"It is a big one for the world of late night television," he said. "As you probably heard – it was announced officially today – that, starting in February of next year – after the Olympics - I will take over as new host – of the 'Tonight' Show I spoke to Jay on the phone today…"
He then went on to correct himself, "OK. Ummm – apparently it was a different Jimmy."
Watch Leno's monologue below.
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