Jay Leno Reflects on Controversial Kimmel Moment 15 Years Later

Jay Leno recently reflected on his infamous 2010 on-air encounter with Jimmy Kimmel, when Kimmel publicly humiliated Leno over his controversial decision to reclaim The Tonight Show after initially passing it to Conan O’Brien. During his appearance on In Depth With Graham Bensinger, Leno explained that he allowed Kimmel’s pointed jokes to air unedited, admitting it was his mistake and expressing regret over trusting Kimmel. Leno acknowledged that the moment, which referenced his reversal with O’Brien, sparked a long-running feud and left a lasting impact on his career. Despite the ongoing sting of the incident, both Leno and Kimmel have since reconciled, particularly after Kimmel’s son underwent heart surgery in 2017, with Kimmel confirming they had made peace. Leno maintained that while the moment is often cited as compelling television, he personally found no silver lining in the ordeal. The incident remains a significant chapter in late-night television history, highlighting the personal and professional fallout from the Tonight Show controversy.