Feb 16 2010Thanks for the Laughter...
Leno's late night switcharound has created its second casualty. Kevin Eubanks, Leno's longtime bandleader and the source of all that chortling from stage left, has decided to leave The Tonight Show sometime after its March 1 re-Lenoed debut.
Extra says Eubanks "wanted a change" and is looking to pursue other opportunities beyond playing the guitar equivalent of a rimshot the rest of his life. So let him know if you hear about any jobs for a man uniquely qualified at politely chuckling every few minutes. Maybe talking on the phone to my grandma?
Reader Comments
1. Delgo - February 16, 2010 5:34 PM
He needs to learn the sweeps part of Between the Buried and Me's: "Selkies" solo
2. kimbo jones - February 16, 2010 6:00 PM
Man alive, I thought he died or something.
3. Van - February 16, 2010 6:11 PM
I saw the picture and though OH NO DAVE CHAPPLE DIED.
4. anon - February 16, 2010 6:31 PM
#3 -- I thought the same thing. RIP Chapelle.
5. To Delgo - February 16, 2010 8:14 PM
Too bad Between the Buried and Me sucks the cunt hairs out a dog's ass
6. jaime - February 16, 2010 11:00 PM
yeah, that's misleading...
i thought "TURK DIED?!"
7. To Delgo - February 16, 2010 11:25 PM
Delgo, my bad about what I said before
8. Rebel664 - February 16, 2010 11:44 PM
I almost stated to cry, you misleading bastard
9. annie - February 17, 2010 12:20 AM
Good for you, Eubanks!
10. Ryan - February 17, 2010 12:24 AM
In the interests of keeping the internet anally retentive, he actually sits stage right and gets his chortle on.
11. jcasnaw - February 17, 2010 9:29 AM
Maybe he could work for Conan over at fox :p I always found him annoying on stage. Im sure hes a great guy in real life but almost felt forced when he laughed at Jay's Jokes. Jay's jokes of neverending rehashing of idiot pop culture. I hope Leno's tonight show falls apart
12. S.D. - February 17, 2010 10:28 AM
S__T!!!
I saw the image and initially thought he died!
(whew)
Well, I hope he gets a better gig going forward.
13. MarsHottentot - February 17, 2010 11:49 AM
So we really do all look the same to you.
Well, hi, I'm Slash, the drummer for the Roots or Jimi Hendrix - which ever one gets me paid or laid tonight.
Lemons - Lemonaid
Seriously though, I bet it was probably a lil' ass pat out the door "We've got to
spray some perfume on this corpse, it's startin' to stink in here!"
"Why don't we just, y'know, bury the corpse?"
"Shaddup You!"
I mean, they can't just drop the old show where the new show was and pretend that's gonna fly. But it's Jay Leno, so any change has to be cosmetic. Exit Eubanks! Instant Freshness!
I suggest a Korean lady who doesn't anything he says is funny. She'd be a national hero overnight.
14. MarsHottentot - February 17, 2010 11:51 AM
"I suggest a Korean lady who doesn't think anything he says is funny."
I'm the worst.
15. bribios - February 17, 2010 4:44 PM
@13 and 14
Ms. Swan?
16. Donk Donkerson - February 18, 2010 1:58 PM
It's understandable wanting to move onto bigger and better things but seriously you're going to leave a job where you get paid to just play the guitar and laugh occasionally? Great idea.
17. bayma - February 18, 2010 3:55 PM
Kevin didn't start on Leno in 1992 -- at least not as bandleader -- that was Branford Marsalis for the first few years. Kevin took over in 1995.
18. One Source Talent - February 21, 2010 8:48 PM
I always liked him, but I think it will be a good change for him and the show. I think the show is going to have to change somethings around if they plan to get more viewers this time around. I heard Kevin was going to go on tour as well.