Why did Jay Leno apologise to Jimmy Kimmel? 2022 statement explored as former tonight show host recalls “humiliating” 2010 interview

Jimmy Kimmel and Jay Leno were involved in a rather awkward exchange on-air in 2010. The latter recently termed the interview as “humiliating” during an appearance on In Depth With Graham Bensinger. The 75-year-old comedian and TV show host reflected upon the interview during a recent conversation with Graham Bensinger and said (via Variety),

“When Kimmel came on my show and humiliated me on my own show, I let it happen. I didn’t edit it. It was my mistake, I trusted somebody. I went, ‘Ah, I made a mistake. Okay, I should pay the price.’ And it’s fine, it’s fine. I mean, we could have edited it out of the show.”

While the awkward “10 at 10” interview happened, Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel were seemingly involved in another potential conflict. According to Deadline, the Tonight Show host was considering moving to ABC from NBC. Leno's shifting to the former network might have meant a change in the time slot of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which was already in its fifth year of run.

During a 2022 conversation on Club Random with Bill Maher, Jay Leno mentioned formally talking to the ex-Man Show host and stating how he was fine with shifting his slot. Jay Leno recounted,

“I called Jimmy Kimmel and I said, ‘I’m getting off some ABC… I don't want to start a whole thing here. If they're talking about me on 11:30, would you want to go on a 12:30?’ I think he said, ‘Yeah,’ he'd like to. I said, ‘Oh okay.’ We became friends. And then that didn't happen and it became public.”

Leno told Bill Maher that he didn’t call Jimmy Kimmel to tell him about the deal falling through, which might have hurt him. Thus, Jay apologized to the Live! host in 2022 on Club Random with Bill Maher,

“I suppose I should have called Jimmy and explained to him again, but I didn't. I don't know why I didn't. I just didn't. I thought he probably would figure it out, but I think maybe he was hurt by that. I apologize to him for that.”

Two years later, the host was again involved in a conflict at NBC regarding The Tonight Show's time slot and hosting. The said dispute also received criticism from the Live! host in the form of satire.

Jimmy Kimmel took multiple jibes at Jay Leno during a 2010 interview with him

Amidst the controversy surrounding hosting The Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien officially left NBC in January 2010. Before his departure, Jimmy Kimmel appeared during the “10 at 10” segment of The Jay Leno Show. The Live! presenter already supported O’Brien in the feud, as he previously criticized Leno by doing his impression on his late-night show.

During the brief conversation, Jay asked Kimmel 10 questions and received sarcastic responses each time. Jimmy came up with different taunts, criticizing the former Tonight Show host. Remarking on the feud between Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno for hosting, the four-time Oscars host answered a question about “the best prank he ever pulled.” He said,

“I think the best prank I ever pulled was, I told a guy, 5 years from now, I’m gonna give you my show, and then when the 5 years came, I gave it to him, and then I took it back almost instantly. It was hilarious. I think he works at Fox or something now.”

Trending

Jimmy Kimmel said multiple things to Jay Leno during the “10 at 10” segment, which the latter recently branded as “humiliating.” Their beef continued for years until the latter called the former after his son underwent open heart surgery.

In 2017, Kimmel told The Hollywood Reporter on the Awards Chatter podcast that Leno and he “made peace.” He recalled how the former Tonight Show host called him after his son’s operation and was “very nice.”

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback