David Letterman and Jay Leno have long been what many described as arch rivals. Now some media outlets are reporting that Letterman’s Late Show has extended an invitation to Jay Leno to appear as a guest.
Reuters is reporting that Jay Leno has in fact been invited to appear on The Late Show some time before David Letterman retires in May. The offer was extended some time late in 2014.
CBS is supposedly looking to capitalize on the hype surrounding Letterman’s upcoming retirement. If Jay Leno agrees to go on the show, it could definitely up the ratings. Leno retired from The Tonight Show last year–passing the torch to Jimmy Fallon. Fallon has thus far been very successful in his new late night spot.
Last week, Jay Leno was asked about whether or not he was actually invited to appear on David Letterman’s show while speaking at the National Association of Television Program Executives conference in Miami.
“I haven’t heard that,” he replied. “I’ll have to check into that.”
Shortly before his retirement, Jay Leno told TVInsider.com that he was open to visiting David Letterman on the Late Show.
“That could happen, why not,” he said. “It’s certainly a possibility. Some of my best moments were doing the show with Dave.”
Leno also added that even if he appeared on the Late Show, he didn’t expect much of anything to change between him and David Letterman.
“It’s the same. I don’t think it changes anything,” he said.
Check out Jay Leno and David Letterman on Dave’s show back in 1985.
TV history would definitely be made if Jay Leno were to appear as a guest on The Late Show. It will be interesting to see if this comes to fruition before David Letterman retires in the spring.