Morrow: Haunted Leno returns to 'Tonight'

Photo by Matt Sayles, AP

Jay Leno

Photo by Matt Sayles, AP

Jay Leno

Calling Jay Leno's return to "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m. tonight, WBIR, Channel 10) a much-anticipated event isn't quite true. Yes, we've known for a month it was coming, and folks are curious.

But we're not sure it will be such a memorable moment in the TV history books. His guests for the first couple of nights won't have quite the same impact as when he cornered a shameless Kanye West right after the MTV Video Music Awards.

He's booked Sarah Palin, Brad Paisley and Jamie Foxx.

Leno has a lot of work to do. His reputation has taken a beating since NBC forced out the last host, Conan O'Brien.

Leno is blaming the network for O'Brien's firing - and NBC has to shoulder a lot of the blame for sure. But Leno has yet to really admit he's had quite a bit to do in making a mess out of things.

According to Leno, when O'Brien took over "Tonight" and ratings tanked, the networked asked Leno to come back. Leno was free to return because "The Jay Leno Show" was being cancelled.

And Leno has made no bones he'd want his "Tonight" gig back.

So O'Brien was ejected, and now, Leno, his big chin and all, is back.

Now, Leno wants viewers to put this out of their memories. After all, Leno's public image took a huge beating for taking another man's job - no matter how poorly that other man was doing.

I certain will find it hard to see Leno smirking on the set of "Tonight." His network promo, which has him in a race car and signs showing he's back at 11:35 p.m., does nothing to change him in my eyes.

He's flashing a pretty cocky look in those promos.

Attitude is not what Leno needs to be projecting right now. If anything, he could do with a nice dose of humility.

That's the only way audiences will be able to forgive and forget this latest "Tonight" scandal.

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/. He contributes to "Live At Five At Four" on WBIR, Channel 10, and "The Marc & Kim & Frank Show" on WWST-FM, 102.1.

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