The possibility of a Jay Leno retirement is one of the stories trending on the Internet Saturday.
The Hollywood Reporter is citing sources who suggest that NBC is preparing to announce that Leno will retire from the Tonight Show.
Leno’s rival, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, is attracting younger viewers to the 11:35 p.m. time slot. In fact, Kimmel’s show debut beat Leno in the ratings.
There is clearly no love lost from Kimmel to Leno. He called Leno “a sellout” and is not a fan of Leno’s stand-up monologue.
Is Jay Leno’s retirement imminent?
NBC tells the Hollywood Reporter officially that no, there is no move to urge Leno to retire. But the reporter suggests that an announcement may be made in May that the 2013-14 TV season will be Leno’s last.
A Leno spokesman told the Reporter, "We do not speculate on rumor."
Jay Leno is doing well in the ratings overall beating David Letterman and Kimmel but he is tied in the coveted 18-49 demographic.
The Hollywood Reporter generated more the 50 reader responses. Here’s some of what they wrote:
“PhillyWings” wrote, “Here's the deal -- Leno still has the biggest audience -- all the older peeps.
If he leaves and Fallon goes in, it's not like that audience is going to slide right in.
Didn't we learn this the last time Jay left?
I still think one of the late night hosts should be older and should appeal to that audience.
Fill that niche.”
“Jake,” clearly a Kimmel fan wrote, “Kimmel sucks. He is like a giggling little girl with some guests and a hack with others. I used to DVR him, but I cant stand his stupid skits, seriously dumping slime of people, water fights? other stupid stuff.... so I cut him off, and have never regretted it once.
I don’t know why Leno left the first time, it was a bad idea the first time, why do it again.. Jay should stick around until he falls over... enough of this forced retirement crap. Leno is king of late night.... and yeah I could not care less what little cool hipsters whine about.”
If Leno does retire, who will replace him? The Reporter says that Jimmy Fallon who follows Leno on NBC is the front runner for the job.
Do you think Leno will retire? Who do you think should replace him? Leave your comments below.
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