Kevin Eubanks will be continuing with Jay Leno when he returns as host of the Tonight Show in March.
However, his return with the re-newed Tonight Show host, Leno, will be a reduced role at that.
News of his departure began to surface after an initial report by L.A. radio K-EARTH 101, however, Eubanks silenced the speculation in a Tweet late Wednesday night.
“I‘ll still be around on the show, but less as of now. I’ll tweet when a definite plan is set,” said the musician.
The return of Jay Leno as the Tonight Show host has garnered a great deal of controversy over the last two months.
After slumping ratings for the new host of the Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien—who previously held the 12:30 am time slot right after Leno—O'Brien was offered the option of moving back to his original time slot while maintaining his position as host of one of the most well branded shows in television history.
However after receiving the offer—which appeared to most to be a demotion or firing—O’Brien refused, receiving the bulk of his original contract, at a value of a whopping $32 million.
Once O’Brien’s departure was finalized, Leno’s position as host was secured bringing the well-liked Leno back into the fray of late night, after a dismal performance within the primetime slot at 10pm.
Leno’s return is being long anticipated by Leno fans, however, critics question whether there will be some form of backlash from “Conan” fans.
However, his return with the re-newed Tonight Show host, Leno, will be a reduced role at that.
News of his departure began to surface after an initial report by L.A. radio K-EARTH 101, however, Eubanks silenced the speculation in a Tweet late Wednesday night.
“I‘ll still be around on the show, but less as of now. I’ll tweet when a definite plan is set,” said the musician.
Late Night Wars
The return of Jay Leno as the Tonight Show host has garnered a great deal of controversy over the last two months.
After slumping ratings for the new host of the Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien—who previously held the 12:30 am time slot right after Leno—O'Brien was offered the option of moving back to his original time slot while maintaining his position as host of one of the most well branded shows in television history.
However after receiving the offer—which appeared to most to be a demotion or firing—O’Brien refused, receiving the bulk of his original contract, at a value of a whopping $32 million.
Once O’Brien’s departure was finalized, Leno’s position as host was secured bringing the well-liked Leno back into the fray of late night, after a dismal performance within the primetime slot at 10pm.
Leno’s return is being long anticipated by Leno fans, however, critics question whether there will be some form of backlash from “Conan” fans.
