Although Leno will be using the same Burbank set constructed for his prime-time show, the move back to 11:35 means some changes. He'll be getting to the monologue faster, cutting the time he shakes hands with members of the audience. He'll again be sitting behind a desk. John Melendez, still on staff as a writer, will not return as announcer. And bandleader Kevin Eubanks is officially a short-timer.
Eubanks, with Leno since 1995, agreed to stick around for a transition period, but an NBC statement confirmed his imminent departure from the show: Kevin has expressed interest in pursuing personal touring and recording opportunities; however, he will be with the show when it returns.
I don't know if Jay can just pick up where he left off with his followers, or if he will need to work hard to win them back. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Posted by: Bob Karm | February 27, 2010 at 11:11 PM
NBC was originally planning to end all production at their Burbank lot. Ellen moved over to Warner Bros, since they own and distribute the show. The Tonight Show had moved to Universal. The plan was to sell the facilities, since all of the production needed to be in HD anyway, which required all new equipment. The Leno Prime Time show required them to completely outfit the new studio for HD, which is why they couldn't use the old Tonight Show set any more. I think the new Leno Tonight show is going to be an uphill battle. That defining Hugh Grant moment was what did it before..
Posted by: Bob Kuhn | February 28, 2010 at 10:43 AM