NBC confirmed online reports today that Kevin Eubanks, Jay Leno’s affable bandleader, will step down from his post sometime after original installments of The Tonight Read the full post.
Feb 16
2010
05:48 PM ET
Kevin Eubanks out of 'The Tonight Show'; more changes coming?
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Jay will kick Letterman’s A*S. and Kevin was quicker on the draw than you think. Too many of you haters have been watching too much of MSNBC.
The nice thing about the quality of Jay viewers is that they too are nice and kind like the man they like to view late at night wrapping up their days cares with the humor and genuiness of a like kind.
UGG!
Could you try that in English please?
I could but I don’t think it would be appreciated.
Correct spelling….ugh!
How a bout a man who simply reads from his cue cards? Genuine? Leno listened secretly, by hiding in a closet, to conversations between Letterman and NBC execs. Genuine conniver in my opinion!
I just hope this Kevin change is good for him. It’s hard to make a big change and takes a lot of thoughtful consideration of the circumstances possible. I love the Jay Leno Show. He’s such a nice person and I believe that NBC made the right choices years and years ago when they decided on Leno instead of Letterman. Leno is kind and not crast. He’s thoughtful and not full of himself. He honor his wife. He’s a good man. I know he will be successful in his new slot and I will be there to support him with my turn of the dial to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I will miss the l0pm show for it’s convenience for my heavy school school with all it’s studying and scheduling for sleep. I like to wrap up the day with Jay. I think we all do.
Good luck Kevin. I know change can be exhilerating. Takes faith.
MissClarity, you’re entitled to choice of late-night programs, but please don’t delude yourself thinking that Jay Leno is not nice or thoughtful. If he is, he applies it selectively. In 2004, Jay Leno lied on the air to all of America and most notably to Conan O’Brien, a man who he claimed was his friend, about his future career aspirations, ultimately costing Conan his dream job and a better offer from another network.
The fact that he lied is not debatable. Leno admitted to his lie during his recent interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Edit to the above: “please don’t delude yourself thinking that Jay Leno is nice or thoughtful.” What can I say, it’s really hard for me to use the words Jay Leno and nice in the same sentence without contradicting myself.
Whoa, EW, really? Jay Leno is expected to continue doing Headlines? I’m impressed by your newsworthiness, tell me, who are your top-secret sources?
Aw it won’t be the same w/out him. It was pretty bad when Ed Hall left, but this is major.
I hear Max Weinberg is looking for a gig.
O’brien is worse ever. Neens to pay shills in audience yell out We love you O’Brien.
Jay never did any jokes he just read what was on the cue cards – Doh I can do that a trained monkey can do that. good for Kevin – go away Jay
Ha ha,ha,ha,ha,ha!!! What goes around, comes around, Jay!
Unfortunately, none of these guys have been any good for the last 5 years. Conan was amazing the first 4 years, but its all about money now and the networks know how to ruin a good thing. Thankfully we have this tool called the internet we can hop on and gain access to any entertainment we choose. This whole discussion seems to be fighting over which turd stinks the least.
Disagree. Conan just got better with time.
I thought Jay stayed on the air for his employees. Why does it seem now that a lot of them are jumping ship?
Maybe now that he’s off the show, Kevin can come out of the closet. Of course I don’t know for sure, but my gaydar goes of on him big time. Which is a shame since he’s so hot.
I’m sure someone has posted something like this since it’s such an easy (and Leno-esque) joke:
So will they give the new band leader 7 months and then bring Kevin back?
This could hurt Jay. Kevin took over as bandleader shortly before Jay’s ratings began to turn around and beat Letterman regularly. The viewers sensed the good rapport the two had, something Leno never had with Eubanks’ predecessor, Branford Marsalis. Eubanks just seemed friendlier, too. Still, I don’t blame him for leaving. There’s only so much you can grow as a musician by playing cover tunes night after night.
I’m both a Leno fan and a Jay fan, and I have to agree with Alan t. I would much rather watch Kevin than Paul. I’d probably watch Letterman more often if it weren’t for him.
Hey both have their good points. I always enjoy Jay’s show (especially the monlogue) and I think Craig is off the wall funny. You don’t have to be old to enjoy Jay – I do think you have to be a pompous ass to watch Dave however.