A serious Jay Leno told his side of the story on Monday night. The message: don’t blame Conan O’Brien, don’t blame me either, NBC created the late-night follies that have become the biggest story on TV. Leno told viewers that he’d been doubtful about launching a prime-time show but was prevented by NBC from going to another network instead. He told NBC he’d return to the “Tonight” slot only after O’Brien rejected the network’s plan to put both men on in late night. NBC continued negotiations on an exit deal with O’Brien that would clear the way for Leno to reclaim the 11:35 p.m. slot.

“Through all of this, Conan O’Brien has been a gentleman. He’s a good guy, I have no animosity toward him. This is all business. You know, folks, if you don’t get the ratings, they take you off the air.”

More Leno:
When NBC told him they wanted to end his new show, Leno told viewers he asked to be released from his contract. “No, you’re still a valuable asset to this company,” he said the network told him.
On NBC’s 2004 decision to replace Leno with O’Brien: “I said, `Well, I’ve been No. 1 for 12 years.’ They said, `We know that. We don’t think you can sustain it,’”
When NBC suggested a half-hour show, Leno told the network he wasn’t crazy about doing it but said OK. He asked if O’Brien would agree to be moved to midnight and was told yes — it was almost guaranteed.

Leno and O’Brien both fired off strong jokes at NBC on Monday night:

Jay: CBS is now developing a new sitcom about the troubles here at NBC. It’s called `Two Men and a Half-Assed Network.’”
Conan: “Last night at the Golden Globes, Julia Roberts said that NBC was in the toilet. NBC was upset and toilets were furious,” he said.