Jay Leno tops Kimmel at Television Critics' press tour

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By April MacIntyre Jul 22, 2008, 5:25 GMT

Not to be upstaged by Jimmy Kimmel, talk show host Jay Leno impersonated Jimmy Kimmel impersonating a reporter at the Beverly Hills TCA press tour, ending this Tuesday after a two-week junket of day and night cable and network television meetings with North America's top critics and journalists. 04/27/2008 - Jay Leno - Silver Rose Gala and Auction - Arrivals - Beverly Hills Hotel - Beverly Hills, CA USA © Chris Hatcher / PR Photos

04/27/2008 - Jay Leno - Silver Rose Gala and Auction - Arrivals - Beverly Hills Hotel - Beverly Hills, CA USA © Chris Hatcher / PR PhotosThe press tour saw Kimmel posed as a reporter grilling ABC President of Entertainment Steve McPherson about the fate of his show. The rumor was Leno might be taking the spot.Today, Monday morning, Leno camouflaged in bald cap and facial hair pulled the stunt on NBC’s executive session with reporters about his situation. The disguise was too good apparently, as Leno was totally unrecognizable by most of the TCA critics."Let me ask you something. Do you think what Jimmy Kimmel did to - the four time Emmy nominated Jimmy Kimmel - do you think it was kind of cheesy coming in disguise and harassing you reporters?" said Leno in disguise.Ben Silverman replied, "You know, I can't imagine anyone stooping to that level.."Leno didn't let up. "I know Leno got a nomination for his website 'Garage' but none for 'The Tonight Show.' Do you think people like him better as a mechanic than as a talk show host?"Marc Graboff replied that Leno "was equally skilled at both.""I know you brought back 'Knight Rider'...any chance 'Manimal' will be coming back?" quipped Leno.The NBC executives announced the news that Leno will have his last show on May 29, and that Conan O’Brien will replace him as “Tonight Show” host June 1.The rumor persists that ABC is still hot for him, and McPherson commitment to Kimmel would also possible allow for another high-profile late-night host at his network.At the executive meeting Graboff noted that NBC Universal is still talking to Leno about staying at the company. “If we had the ‘Tonight Show’ still available, it probably wouldn’t take so long,” Silverman said about the negotiations. “But it’s just trying to be creative and work with Jay in a way that he would want to stay and find an environment that he would embrace.”“When we made the deal with Jay four years ago, we made a long-term deal with him,” Graboff said. “We’ve been talking to him pretty much that whole time about the future beyond the ‘Tonight Show.’ We can’t force him to do something. We’re presenting him with a number of opportunities that we think will be great and we’re hoping that he eventually thinks will be great as well.”

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