Posted on 05/01/2003 3:30:40 PM PDT by Paul Atreides
Jay Leno's staff have become "really bitter" about what they describe as outrageous demands by Katie Couric, who will be hosting the Tonight Show on May 12th (the same day that Leno cohosts Today), the New York Post reported today (Thursday). An insider on the Leno show told the newspaper that Couric demanded that the staff book Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez or the entire cast of Friends for the show, and that when they were unsuccessful Couric became "really angry."
OUCH !
They booked Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Ann Curry instead.
Footnote: Willard Scott had to decline. He's appearing on Letterman that night.
As NBC trots out "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno and "Today" host Katie Couric to promote their much ballyhooed job switch on May 12--he will host "Today" and she will take on the "Tonight Show"--some not-so-nice backstage backbiting is taking place on Leno's set. According to New York Post's Page Six Gossip columnist Richard Johnson, Leno's staff accuses America's sweetheart of turning into a late-night diva who makes "outrageous" demands.
"She has this huge ego," one Leno insider dished to the Post. "The staff is really bitter. Jay is pretty easy to work for and is great. There is never a problem with booking, but Katie is very difficult. She has turned down all of our suggestions for guests and insists on getting people like Ben [Affleck] and Jennifer [Lopez] together. They flat-out refused to do the show, and Katie is really angry." Ouch. Couric also reportedly demanded that the entire cast of "Friends" be booked. The six "Friends" turned down that opportunity, too. Meanwhile, Leno thought singer Sheryl Crow would work out well, but Couric said no. "Nobody could understand why she wouldn't interview Sheryl," the "Page Six" source dished. "There is nothing wrong with Sheryl. She is a great guest, but Katie wouldn't have her."
Meanwhile, life with Leno on the "Today" set is just peachy. Secretary of State Colin Powell reportedly called "Today" himself and asked to be interviewed by Leno. When Katie hosts the "Tonight Show," it will be the first time Leno has allowed anyone to guest host since he took over the plum post from Johnny Carson. So whose idea was it to switch jobs? Leno says it was all Couric's. "Do you think I would dream something like this up?" he joked. "This isn't a guy's idea. You don't ever hear, 'Bob, let's trade places.'" This girl just wanted to have fun, Couric said. "I think people will appreciate this in the spirit in which we're doing it," she said.
Jay Leno, Katie Couric to trade places 'Today' and 'Tonight'
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.