Photo — Jay Leno: https://www.flickr.com/photos/us2eu/48003308202 (Public domain) · Conan O'Brien: Own work (CC BY 4.0)
The Short Version
In January 2010, NBC proposed moving Jay Leno back to 11:30 PM and shifting 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien' to 12:05 AM. O'Brien publicly refused to participate in moving the show, arguing it would destroy the franchise's legacy, and departed NBC shortly thereafter.
Latest Development
Conan O'Brien Calls Past Feud 'Water Under the Bridge'
On his podcast 'Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend', O'Brien told guest Arsenio Hall that his past friction with Leno was 'water under the bridge' and that he is happy with his life and no longer thinks about the conflict.
March 23, 2026 · Public statement
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
March 23, 2026
Conan O'Brien Calls Past Feud 'Water Under the Bridge'
Public statementOn his podcast 'Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend', O'Brien told guest Arsenio Hall that his past friction with Leno was 'water under the bridge' and that he is happy with his life and no longer thinks about the conflict.
Source ↗January 22, 2010
Conan O'Brien Departs 'The Tonight Show'
Verified eventO'Brien hosted his final episode of 'The Tonight Show' after seven months as host, delivering a farewell monologue thanking his staff and encouraging viewers not to become cynical.
Source ↗January 12, 2010
Conan O'Brien Rejects Proposed Time Slot Shift
Public statementO'Brien issued a public statement refusing to move 'The Tonight Show' to 12:05 AM, stating he would not participate in what he believed was the destruction of the franchise. On his show that evening, he joked that viewers can do anything in life 'unless Jay Leno wants to do it too.'
Source ↗January 10, 2010
NBC Proposes Late-Night Schedule Restructuring
ReportedFollowing ratings pressure from affiliate stations regarding low viewership for Leno's 10 PM show, NBC announced plans to return Leno to 11:30 PM for a half-hour show and shift 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien' to 12:05 AM.
Source ↗June 1, 2009
Conan O'Brien Takes Over 'The Tonight Show'
Verified eventO'Brien officially assumed hosting duties of NBC's 'The Tonight Show' at 11:30 PM, fulfilling a succession plan promised five years earlier, while Jay Leno transitioned to a new 10 PM prime-time talk show.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Historical. The dispute is now historical. In March 2026, O'Brien stated on his podcast that his past friction with Leno was 'water under the bridge' and that he no longer thinks about the conflict.
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Sources
- 1.SourceConan O'Brien Calls Past Feud 'Water Under the Bridge' · Mar 23, 2026
- 2.SourceConan O'Brien Departs 'The Tonight Show' · Jan 22, 2010
- 3.SourceConan O'Brien Rejects Proposed Time Slot Shift · Jan 12, 2010
- 4.SourceNBC Proposes Late-Night Schedule Restructuring · Jan 10, 2010
- 5.SourceConan O'Brien Takes Over 'The Tonight Show' · Jun 1, 2009
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.