Why did Jay Leno quit the tonight show?

Answer 1

Jay Leno's Contract with NBC expires in Dec 2009. NBC would have to renew their contract for 2010 and so on. NBC did not like being placed on a compromising situation like they had when David Letterman left to CBS. So to minimize damage control, and not give Jay the power for a ridiculous demands (A new chin?) they decided to remove Jay's star power by pre-emptively putting him on the bench and giving The Tonight Show to Conan O'Brien. Jay's last day on the Tonight Show is May 29,2009

Answer 2

In 2004, the Tonight Show hosting job was promised to Conan O'Brien (to begin in May 2009) as an inducement to sign a new contract with NBC. O'Brien was threatening to jump to another network.

Answer 3

He didn't. In what many people believe to be the biggest mistake in the history of television, Jeff Zucker, the now infamous (and probably soon to be former) president & CEO of NBC Universal, asked Jay to step aside. Leno had been number one in his time slot, beating David Letterman, for the last 16 years of his 17 years as host. But Zucker, wanted to keep Conan O'Brien from jumping to another network when his contract expired, thus unintentionally creating drama where there used to be comedy.

Answer 4

He is back on the Tonight Show because the NBC affiliates were not happy with Leno's show at 10pm and NBC apparently did not want to loose him. What was decided was to put Leno back on at 11:30 for a half hour, yet Conan would retain the Tonight Show at midnight. Conan was not happy with the idea stating that this would not be the Tonight Show. Basically Conan told NBC that he would not go along with the plan. So NBC decided to pay Conan to leave the Tonight Show and his NBC contract. Conan was fired and he wanted to leave (from the reports I've read) Thus Leno is back at the Tonight Show.

Answer 5

He hosted the 'Tonight show' meaning he never host the 'Late show'.

Answer 6

because he feels like it. and nbc can't find anyone better.

Answer 7

Conan O'Brien left The Tonight Show when NBC reneged on his deal and brought Jay Leno back to host it. Leno had moved to do a primetime show that didn't work out.