Highlights
- Late night time TV is full of feuds and drama, together with rigidity between Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Conan O'Brien.
- Craig Ferguson had an awkward but respectful relationship with David Letterman and was by no means after Letterman's Late Show time slot.
- The rivalry between Jay Leno and David Letterman contributed to the talk show struggle between Leno and Conan O'Brien over The Tonight Show.
The world of past due night tv has been filled with feuds and drama. When Jay Leno changed Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, it reportedly ignited a rift with David Letterman, who was rumored to have wanted the website hosting gig.
When Conan O'Brien later replaced Leno as the host of The Tonight Show, Leno began another show all over the earlier hour. However, when Leno's show bombed, O'Brien was once ousted ahead of Leno resumed webhosting The Tonight Show.
Despite the competition that exists amongst late night time hosts, Craig Ferguson claimed he was once by no means after Letterman's Late Show time slot. In fact, Ferguson spent his time in a CBS time slot that Letterman owned. Ferguson as soon as described his relationship with Letterman as awkward, however very respectful.
Craig Ferguson Told Howard Stern That David Letterman Was A "Painfully, Awkward Guy"
When Ferguson appeared on The Howard Stern Show in 2017, he admitted he met Letterman in person "only to do his show."
"We talked on the phone a few times and he was nice to me at the beginning," Ferguson stated. "He was friendly and stuff. Well, friendly is too much. He would send a box of meat at Christmas."
Stern laughed and understood what Ferguson was once pronouncing, explaining that "there's no interaction" between them.
Despite this, Ferguson told Stern that he didn't take it in my opinion and understood where Letterman's distance came from.
"I think Dave is a painfully awkward guy and I appreciate that," he said. "I understand what it is. And so I talked to him on the air and we're cordial, but we were never friends."
Stern then suggested that most people would believe Letterman would attempt to take Ferguson beneath his wing. The radio host threw out the possibility of Letterman mentoring Ferguson. Ferguson himself laughed this concept off, as he said that was very not like Letterman.
When Ferguson appeared on Larry King Now, he told King about operating for Letterman. Ferguson explained that since Letterman owned the CBS time slot between 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., he didn't have to respond to to anybody at the network. Ferguson admitted he "wasn't crazy about them" and stated that Letterman would frequently protect him each time other folks at CBS would give him a difficult time.
When Ferguson's show came to an end in 2014, Letterman spoke highly of Ferguson.
"His show was unlike any other late night show. And I’m telling you, to be unique in the world of television, virtually impossible," Letterman told his audience. "So congratulations to Craig on a great run and we all wish him well."
RelatedCraig Ferguson Admitted He Couldn't Handle His Interview With The Worst Guest Ever On His Show
The former "Late Late Show" host printed his worst guest right through an episode of "Watch What Happens Live."
Ferguson's announcement got here shortly after Stephen Colbert was once introduced as the alternative for Letterman's time slot. Many assumed Ferguson used to be leaving as a result of he was disillusioned he did not get The Late Show gig.
However, consistent with the guy himself, this wasn't the case.
"It used to enrage me when I was doing the show that people would assume I was trying to get the 11:30 p.m. show that came on before it," Ferguson told The Daily Beast. "Why the f*** would I want to do that? To this day, people don’t believe that I left because I didn’t get the show. It’s horses***."
Letterman's Own Rumored Feud May Be The Reason Ferguson Was Said To Be Upset With Colbert
One of the reasons Ferguson was once rumored to were disenchanted with Colbert was once because of the rumored feud between Letterman and Jay Leno. Their competition is rumored to have stemmed from Leno getting the new webhosting gig at The Tonight Show, replacing Johnny Carson. This is a place Letterman is alleged to have wanted.
While speaking to Oprah Winfrey on Oprah's Next Chapter in 2013, Letterman addressed his feud with Leno.
"Jay and I were friends — we were always friends, before all of this happened," Letterman stated, relating to the moment Leno took over Johnny Carson's spot.
Letterman also printed that those concerned with The Tonight Show approached him to take over. Letterman requested them if Carson authorized of the idea, however was once told Carson didn't know about their asking him. Letterman told them that he would not take the job except Carson approved.
According to Letterman, Leno was once introduced as Carson's alternative in a while after that.
Letterman also told Winfrey about the time he spent with Leno in the early years. He said that each time a fellow comedian bombed, Leno would collect a bunch of comics to look at their efficiency and make a laugh of them. Letterman said that this might make him uncomfortable.
RelatedDavid Letterman Once Told Oprah That Jay Leno Is 'The Most Insecure Person I've Ever Known'
David Letterman and Jay Leno have a bumpy historical past stuffed with ups and downs.
"I’ve never met anyone quite like Jay. And I will say, and I’m happy to say, I think he’s the funniest guy I’ve ever known," Letterman mentioned.
"Just flat out. If you go and see him do his nightclub act — just the funniest, the smartest, wonderful observationist and very appealing as a comic. Therefore, the fact that he is maybe the most insecure person I have ever known — I could never reconcile that."
Leno's Reputation Took A Hit When He Was Rumored To Have Sabotaged Conan O'Brien's 'Tonight Show' Spot
Another talk show battle that made headlines was between Leno and fellow talk display host Conan O'Brien.
O'Brien was announced as Leno's alternative on The Tonight Show in 2009. When O'Brien started internet hosting at 11:30, Leno debuted his personal display at 10:00. When Leno's show bombed, O'Brien used to be ousted after one season. Leno then took over hosting duties at The Tonight Show till 2014.
Many have been outraged at Leno, believing he sabotaged O'Brien's Tonight Show gig. O'Brien himself recently spoke about the situation during an interview with Adweek.
"At this point, even beginning to try and explain to people all the different ways in which I thought that was a screwed-up situation — and in some ways unjust — is absolutely asinine and feels completely stupid and self-indulgent," O'Brien said. "But it was really important to me."
O'Brien further mentioned that he "really didn't want any of that craziness with NBC or Leno." O'Brien additionally identified the online outrage that adopted, mentioning he did not orchestrate any of it.
Leno, on the other hand, denied any sabotage came about when appearing on an episode of Bill Maher's Club Random podcast.
"That doesn’t work," Leno said of any rumored plans he had to overthrow O'Brien's gig. "It doesn’t work that way. You try and do the best you can and it didn’t work."
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