Television personality Jay Leno recently reflected on his past feud with fellow host Jimmy Kimmel, which started back in 2010 after Kimmel appeared on “The Tonight Show” following Leno’s reinstatement as host. The feud escalated when Kimmel made jokes at Leno’s expense, prompting Leno to admit in a recent interview on “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” that he should have edited those moments out, describing it as a significant “mistake.”
During the exchange, Leno acknowledged that allowing Kimmel to humiliate him on his own show led to negative consequences. “When Kimmel came on my show and humiliated me on my own show, I let it happen,” Leno stated, expressing regret for trusting Kimmel in that moment. The comedian also mentioned that this decision taught him a valuable lesson about television and trust.
The backdrop to their feud emerged when Leno initially stepped down from hosting “The Tonight Show” in 2009, only to have Conan O’Brien take over. Leno’s return to the show a year later, which led to O’Brien’s departure, received backlash from many, including Kimmel. The tension seemed to reach a boiling point during Kimmel’s visit when he jokingly referred to a prank involving Leno’s show transition.
Despite the initial animosity, both Leno and Kimmel have since reconciled their differences, with a pivotal moment occurring when Leno reached out to Kimmel after his son underwent heart surgery in 2017. Leno’s ability to reconcile shows that even amidst professional rivalry, human connections can prevail.
This story highlights the importance of learning from past mistakes and demonstrates the enduring nature of friendships, even after conflicts. It serves as a reminder that understanding and forgiveness can lead to positive outcomes, fostering relationships in both personal and professional realms.