Jay Leno may just be that most-disliked man in America — but he hopes to change that on the next Oprah. The comic has taken a thrasing in the Court of Public Opinion following the ousting of his Tonight Show successor Conan O’Brien. Leno plans to sit down on The Oprah Winfrey Show next week in hopes of convincing the public that it isn’t his fault O’Brien is out of a job. Jay is said to be desperate to salvage what’s left of his reputation. Conan is now a free agent after his $45 million settlement with NBC was finally completed early Thursday morning.
Jay will sit down with Oprah in a pre-taped segment that will air Thursday, Jan. 28.
Conan’s departure paves the way for Jay to return as host of The Tonight Show March 1.