Jay Leno and David Letterman represented the generation of late night hosts post-Johnny Carson, but now both of them are leaving, handing the keys to the arena to a younger generation. Leno had nothing but nice things to say about Letterman, as the two have clearly gotten over their early ‘90s feud.
Leno chatted with Extra after a comedy show in New Jersey and laughed when he was asked for his thoughts on Letterman’s retirement. “Oh well you know, he and I gonna do The Sunshine Boys on Broadway so we’re very excited about that,” he joked.
When asked who could replace Letterman on The Late Show, Leno said he had no idea. “I don’t know a lot of good people out there,” he said. “There’s nothing to fill in.”
Letterman and Leno’s feud in the early ‘90s was out in public, as Leno was picked to replace Carson on The Tonight Show. That lead Letterman to leaving NBC and he began hosting The Late Show on CBS, where he has been ever since.
Letterman announced his retirement on Thursday while taping that night’s show. There’s been speculation that CBS is interested in Stephen Colbert ot Chelsea Handler, but their is no heir apparent. Craig Ferguson, who hosts The Late Late Show, could also be in the running.