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Esteemed Contributor
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Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

On 3/3/2014 ilovedaisies said:
On 3/3/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:

I see several comments where it is believed that ""Jay Leno perpetuated the ban"".

Could SOMEONE please explain how they know this to be true? Did you work for the Tonight Show during Jay's tenure?

Please explain!

I read it in Bushkin's biography of Johnny Carson that came out in 2013.

Everything I've read about Helen Kushnick (Jay's manager way back- and the original producer of Jay's Tonight Show) also confirms this.

Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

Well, you also have to remember that Joan Rivers is now in the FASHION business. Her ticket sales in Las Vegas dropped considerably ...... and suddenly she went in another direction with her career.

ALL talk show hosts have on actors, musicians etc that have SOMETHING NEW to promote. Did you really expect Jay Leno to have Joan on to peddle her sunglasses, jackets and foot creams? Seriously?

Esteemed Contributor
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Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

Joan performs all over the place still- she never stops whether it's QVC, other fashion related ventures- or comedy! A big part of her career a few years back was her documentary 'A Piece of Work' - also her reality show with Melissa. Celebrity Apprentice as well! There were tons of things to promote, Joan not appearing was intentional on Jay's part. It wasn't NBC.... if it was NBC she wouldn't have been on with Fallon the 1st night!

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Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

On 2/18/2014 KathyPet said:
On 2/18/2014 BonnieBelle said:

Carson must have been a real a-hole and Leno for carrying it on. How ridiculous. Good for Fallon and Joan.

According to the stories I have read Joan was personally chosen by him to be the Tonight Show permanent guest host. He went to bat with NBC over this because they were not sold on her. Giving her this spot was a REALLY big deal. She would have been next in line if Carson left for the permanent host position. Instead after two years she entered very secret negotiations with FOX. For a competing show going head to head with the Tonight Show. negotiations were completed and the contract was signed. The news leaked out and became public earlier then intended. Only after she found out that the news had leaked out did Joan bother to try to reach Carson by phone to tell him that she was not only jumping ship but would be launching a competing show after all he had done for her. Carson refused to take her call feeling (quite rightly I think) that she had betrayed him. They never spoke again. I think Joan's actions were sneaky and underhanded and I don't blame Carson for feeling the way he did.

The story I heard was Joan was NOT on a list that Johnny had with future permanent hosts.The list included all men!When Joan heard of this,that is when she went to Fox. News leaked out before she could call Johnny with the news.

Esteemed Contributor
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Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

I doubt Joan would've looked to go anywhere if The Tonight Show was her gig! Watch 'A Piece of Work' for the full scenario.

I think Johnny had Jay #1 on the list the whole time- not even David Letterman. That's why Dave went to cbs at the time. And that's why Jay had such an allegiance to Johnny (the Joan ban, for example) - even after his death.

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Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

Johnny was a well known chauvinist, Jay I don't judge. I'd have to hear it from his mouth to buy that it was actually true. Even then I wouldn't judge. Joan has gotten very much "blue" with age. Not everyone's cup of tea.

Honored Contributor
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Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

On 3/3/2014 anonymousanonymous said:

Johnny was a well known chauvinist, Jay I don't judge. I'd have to hear it from his mouth to buy that it was actually true. Even then I wouldn't judge. Joan has gotten very much "blue" with age. Not everyone's cup of tea.

ITA ...... Joan acted like she was ENTITLED to succeed Carson and I think Johnny had the right to react any way he wanted. As for Jay, it just doesn't make sense. No talk show host wants someone on peddling sunglasses and cheap necklaces. She's not pleasant to be around when she doesn't get her way.

Valued Contributor
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Registered: ‎04-05-2010

Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

Carrying a grudge for that long only makes the person carrying it the loser. Can you imagine not accepting condolences from someone over something that happened 20 years ago? I didn't know she was "banned" from Leno, though. That really seems petty and not typical of show business which is all about making money. I think Johnny Carson was loyal to his friends and very unpleasant to people he didn't like. He was no prince but he was great at his job.

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Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

On 2/20/2014 RedTop said:

I think Joan got exactly what she deserved from Johnny Carson, and what happened was the first attempt to show this foul-mouthed female she's not all that and a box of crackers. Sadly, she's still working every angle to get her face, and name out there.

ITA ....... But, she's making plenty of money now, so that should make her happy.

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Re: Joan Rivers-First appearance on Tonight Show in 40 years.

On 3/3/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:
On 3/3/2014 anonymousanonymous said:

Johnny was a well known chauvinist, Jay I don't judge. I'd have to hear it from his mouth to buy that it was actually true. Even then I wouldn't judge. Joan has gotten very much "blue" with age. Not everyone's cup of tea.

ITA ...... Joan acted like she was ENTITLED to succeed Carson and I think Johnny had the right to react any way he wanted. As for Jay, it just doesn't make sense. No talk show host wants someone on peddling sunglasses and cheap necklaces. She's not pleasant to be around when she doesn't get her way.

Joan performs all over the place still- she never stops whether it's QVC, other fashion related ventures- or comedy! A big part of her career a few years back was her documentary 'A Piece of Work' - also her reality show with Melissa. Celebrity Apprentice as well! There were tons of things to promote,