Will Leno Retire in '09?



As the legend goes, Leno was maneuvered into signing the retirement deal because of all the heat he got over muscling David Letterman out of Johnny Carson's spot. This was brilliantly chronicled in Bill Carter's Late Shift. Allegedly, if NBC goes back on its promise, Conan gets a big, fat $40 million. Allegedly. And Leno's ratings are still killer. We keep hearing the Leno remaining -- or at least going elsewhere -- rumor from strange precincts. According to Cindy Adams:

"LENO is not - not - going into the night softly ... some years ago you'll recall Leno making noises that he planned to hang it up in five years and his successor with his blessings would be Conan. The idea being Leno would graciously fade away. Well, he ain't fading. Nor are his fans, who happen to be other networks.

"He never wanted to leave. He loves his job. It was a high-level TV executive suite maneuver to ensure a smooth changeover and lock in that prized 25- to 39-year-old demographic for which television people would rent out their wives. But, although Conan is doing wonderfully - so is Leno. Contract or no contract, he has no intention of retiring, putting his feet up and spending the evenings watching O'Brien.

"If NBC extends Leno, Conan gets a hefty default fee. Now, in case Jay's contract forbids him shopping himself, let's us say he is not shopping himself. But let mother tell you, kiddies, ABC and Fox are definitely actively interested in buying. Maybe even CBS. The only questions now are: where, who and how much?"