Let me be clear that I’m a Worldwide Pants kinda guy.  I’ve been watching David Letterman since his morning show in 1980 and I still watch — and love — Dave and Craig Ferguson.  However, I’m also a huge Johnny Carson fan.  Carson is one of the few entertainers whose death made me cry.  And I respect The Tonight Show as a cross-generational American institution.  Regardless, I’m a fan of fairness and rationality.

So I don’t give a flying fig newton what explanations Jay Leno and/or NBC executives give.  If Jay @10PM isn’t working out, then Jay needs to find another legitimate gig on his own merit (or lack thereof).  Fairness and rationality both dictate that The Tonight Show is not an option for him.  He retired from there and handed the reigns to a worthy successor.  His claim on that turf has — voluntarily — passed.  No man of character, no matter how great or small — especially not even Carson himself — would consider muscling back in over the corpse of that successor.

Even if the sequence of events that Jay laid out on his show last night is accurate, he should have said, “no!”  That NBC considered that option demonstrates moral bankruptcy.  But America expects moral bankruptcy from corporate executives, right?  What’s surprising (and more reprehensible) is that Leno is going along with it, a decision that can only possibly be at his own peril.  I expect — and hope — that Leno’s ratings (and career as a whole) will crash into total disaster.  It’s a justice that he and NBC both deserve.  To that end, SAG and other entertainment industry groups should seriously consider blacklisting Leno’s Tonight Show, denying him guests of consequence.

The institution of The Tonight Show will most likely survive this.  Leno’s second stint as host is destined to be short.  I have to believe, after fifty-four years of legend, that someone of character and a modicum of grace will accept the challenge of restoring respectability to it.  So cry not for the show, or anyone involved.  Just snub Leno like he deserves and show your support for Conan, which he deserves.  Even if you don’t watch his new show because it’s opposite Letterman or Ferguson…

Excelsior!