Jay Leno on David Letterman during “Plead The Fifth” with Andy Cohen on Tonight Show

Jay Leno told his guest Andy Cohen during Friday’s Tonight Show that the assumed beef between him and David Letterman is a tabloid creation.

Jay Leno said he and David Letterman actually like each other: “We started out together, he still makes me laugh as much as anybody.”

He added: “Brilliant wordsmith, very funny guy.”

Jay Leno said the two spoke a month ago, talking about “things in TV and what was going on here” – presumably meaning Leno’s second Tonight Show exit.

The candid conversation occurred when Andy Cohen turned the tables on Jay Leno, asking him to play “Plead the Fifth” from Cohen’s own talk show, Watch What Happens Live.

Andy Cohen asks a celebrity three questions, they can “plead the fifth” to one, but must answer the other two honestly. The question that prompted the open answer was his first one to Jay Leno: “What is the misconception about you that irritates you the most?”

After the explanation, Andy Cohen also asked Jay Leno what he would say to Johnny Carson if he had the chance. Jay Leno answered: “Thank You.”