Howard Stern on the Leno-Hate, Conan’s Invitation and Rosie O’Donnell

Should Howard go on The Tonight Show next week?

The most surprising fact learned this past month watching NBC implode under the weight of its own miscalculations that have irreparably damaged both its brand and its late night talk show lineup is, undoubtedly, how many celebrities (mainly comedians and other talk show hosts) have openly expressed their disdain for Jay Leno.

This is a surprise for the average person or fan of late night tv but for those of us in the industry, the lack of respect Leno receives is nothing new. There are more comedians (the professional ones who have known Leno for almost two decades having done the comedy circuit with him) who dislike him than like him. However, this latest fiasco involving Jay Leno has brought the Leno-hatred to a scary, fevered pitch that is just short of calling for his head (literally) and hanging him in the town square.

Howard Stern has always hated Jay Leno. He has never been on The Tonight Show. And whenever he has had the chance to drop in on Late Show with David Letterman (who also dislikes Leno after being shafted by NBC as host on The Tonight Show for Jay Leno), Stern delights in trashing Leno, his brand and his chin as viciously as he can without being completely cut-off by censors. Stern was doing this long before it became fashionable. Once again, Stern is a trailblazer.

Here, Stern and Robin Quivers, discuss an interesting development in the NBC late night saga. It appears as if Conan’s last taped episode of The Tonight Show will be in one week (Jan. 22). In order to go out with a bang, Conan has invited Howard Stern to be a guest on the final show (a slap in the face of Jay Leno who will be torn to shreds by Howard Stern). Stern, for record, is very intrigued by the invitation:

“I would love to go on there and talk to Conan… I think if I did The Tonight Show next week I would just sit down with Conan and have a real conversation.”

There are a couple of reservations, however. One is that Stern notoriously hates flying so the thought of flying cross country to LA (where The Tonight Show is taped) is a definite deterrent. And Stern doesn’t want a wimpy interview. He not only wants to let loose about Jay Leno but he wants Conan to express the feelings that must surely be eating him alive now (the feelings of betrayal by Leno and NBC). Says Stern:

“What annoys me with all of this (and I think Conan would agree) is that Jay Leno had it in for him the whole time. Crapped all over him.”

Rosie O'Donnell pulls no punches with Leno

If Stern voices this sentiment in the interview next week, how would Conan respond? He can’t disagree and play middle-of-road here. I agree that Conan shouldn’t expect Stern to come on the show and do his dirty work for him without slinging some mud himself. Based on Conan’s monologues this week that (since releasing his statement about the fiasco) have been laced with acidic jabs at both NBC and Leno, I think Conan might actually rise to the occasion and, having nothing to lose, might let it all out. However, as Stern points out, NBC (former boss to Stern) would probably never let the interview hit the airwaves (which is unfortunate because it would be the best, most sincere, insightful interview ever in late night tv).

Stern and Quivers continue the show by analyzing a rant by Rosie O’Donnell on her Sirius radio talk show. She is another in the long list of comedian entertainers to express hatred of Leno and, it goes without saying, she tears Leno a new one in this rant which Stern plays in its entirety (all eight minutes) with play-by-play commentary. What’s fascinating about all of this is that Stern, Rosie (and other comedians like Pat Oswalt) are not just trashing Leno, they’re giving us an intimate look into what has happened in the late night talk show wars — the details, the emotions and the betrayals are all laid bare.

For now, Stern has not decided either way whether he will do The Tonight Show next week. All I know is that, if he does, it will be the hottest ticket in Hollywood and bring The Tonight Show its highest ratings ever (second only to Obama’s guest appearance).