Grudge Match: Jay Leno vs. Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien

Photo by Evan Agostini, AP

Conan O'Brien

Grudge Match: Jay Leno vs. Conan O'Brien

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Conan O'Brien

Photo by Evan Agostini, AP

Conan O'Brien

Jay Leno

Photo by Matt Sayles, AP

Jay Leno

— We compare two pop-culture subjects to see which you like better. To be included in next week's tally, vote for your favorite before noon on Monday. This week's match:

JAY LENO vs. CONAN O'BRIEN

Is Jay Leno a late-night villain or a misunderstood victim of network politics? A few weeks ago, "The Jay Leno Show" got the ax from NBC. But the real kicker came when NBC announced it was firing "Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien and giving his job to Leno. O'Brien, who waited five years for the "Tonight" job, was brushed aside, but not without biting comments about Leno. Public sympathy is going to O'Brien for losing his job. Which side are you on?

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Jay: Well, in 1993, he bumped David Letterman out of consideration for host of the "Tonight Show" - causing Letterman to jump ship to CBS. Now, he's bumped Conan O'Brien out of the "Tonight Show" because he wanted the job back.

Conan: He's never stolen anyone's job, but he did host "Late Night" for 16 years and was on "Tonight" seven months before Jay Leno wanted the job back.

OH, SNAP!

Jay: NBC said it wanted drama back at 10 p.m. weeknights. Well, they got it.

Conan: "There's a rumor that NBC is so upset with me that want to keep me off the air for three years. My response to that is if NBC doesn't want people to see me, just leave me on NBC."

OH, SNAP! (part 2)

Jay: Little-known fact: big jaws play well to the young demos.

Conan: "I just want to say to the kids out their watching, you can do anything you want in life. Unless Jay Leno wants to do it, too."

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT

Jay: He may get what he wanted - another stab at "Tonight" - but the audience may not want to follow this time.

Conan: With a name like Conan, you're only job options are savage barbarian or talk show host. Time to pick up a club and start beating some heads, Conan, until we see you on the air again.

LAST WEEK: Reba McEntire vs. Reid Speed

Our pick: Reid Speed. She gets it done fast.

Your pick: Reba took the contest with 64 percent of the votes.

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