The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Image
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critics What's this?

User Score

Overwhelming dislike- based on 91 Ratings

  • Summary: Jay Leno returns to the Tonight Show after NBC's failed experiment to have his own show on at 10:00p.
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Talk & Interview
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Reviewed by: Randee Dawn
    60
    Leno himself? Comfortable and comforting, enthusiastic but not too much so, apparently ready to just get back to the job of making middle-of-the-road laughs.
  2. Leno did the show last night exactly the same way he does every show. He knows how to tell jokes and he can make his way through an interview.
  3. Leno's got his desk, he's got his guests and no one expects him to do anything but what he's done for so many years: protect the "Tonight Show" franchise. After all that has happened, that may or may not be enough.
  4. 37
    Monday's opening monologue, supposedly Leno's strong suit, was tired, lame and unfunny. In other words, typical of the real Leno, rather than the Leno of public-relations imagination.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 8 out of 11
  1. ErolA.r
    10
    It's good to see Jay back doing what he does best, hosting the Tonight Show. Jamie Fox was a little over the top, but the format was great and I just took Letterman off my DVR. Welcome back Jay. Collapse
  2. Paul
    8
    Leno is Leno. I know the critics and the Conan crybaby's love to hammer Leno on not being innovative, but listen to the audiences. Jay's audiences laugh harder during the monologues than any but Dave's (and maybe Craig's), and Dave only does as little of a monologue as he can get away with. Admit it: Conan bombed. A nice and very funny guy, but so many critics blew smoke up his butt that he forgot that he even couldn't consistently beat Killborn and Ferguson in his own time slot. I don't care about masturbating bears or smacking the Mets mascot with a baseball bat. When people didn't laugh at those the first time MANY years ago, he should have got the message. After a hard day, I don't want "cutting edge", I just want to hear some boobs with big egos get taken down a notch, and Jay delivers that. As to the interviews, Dave demonstrated a long time ago that it's just a bunch of people plugging things, they're not there to get the 3rd degree. It ain't Meet The Press. Expand
  3. AlexB.
    7
    Jay Leno has become a start among the stars. He has luxury, cars, and has made a fortune inviting the best stars in Hollywood to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Jay Leno has really put himself on a top of ratings on late night on NBC. Once he left late night, and Conan took over, the NBC ratings did go down, even I did not watch the Conan O'Brien show as much. Once his return, things turn over and the ratings seemed to go up. His last ten O'clock show had great ending. Inviting Michael Jordan and Donald Trump. Moreover, with Aston Kutcher and Kurt Warner made a it a fantastic ending for all audiences. Overall, Jay Leno has really stepped up is game in taking the Late Night with Jay Leno more than what a late night should be. I enjoy it every time I get to watch it because it has enjoyable guest, comedy, and the extras that he has on there. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is, with not doubts about it one of the best late night shows on television. Expand
  4. 1
    Leno is a hack. Unfunny and unoriginal. Great show to watch before bed because he can put you to sleep. Who finds it entertaining to watch a celebrity drive around in a green car? Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Lenogate: A Conan and Jay Timeline

    Lenogate: A Conan and Jay Timeline Image
    Published: January 15, 2010
    Having trouble keeping track of the latest Jay Leno-Conan O'Brien developments? Check out our handy timeline of key events, including a few from the future.