Jay Leno has branded the NBC executives “snakes” live on air after rumors that he is to be replaced by Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.

An email from NBC entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt was leaked leading to rumors that Jay Leno is going to be replaced by Jimmy Fallon next year.

On Monday’s show, the day after St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Jay Leno, 62, said: “You know the whole legend of St. Patrick, right?

“St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland – and then they came to the United States and became NBC executives.

“It’s a fascinating story!”

Jay Leno has branded the NBC executives “snakes” live on air after rumors that he is to be replaced by Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show

Jay Leno also had fun with the fact that the network finished fifth in recent sweeps during his February 28 show.“It’s so bad, The Biggest Loser isn’t just a TV show anymore – it’s our new motto,” Jay Leno laughed, which led the furious exchange of emails with Robert Greenblatt.Jay Leno started his appearances on the show in 1987, when he became Johnny Carson’s regular substitute.

He was replaced by Conan O’Brien in 2009 and tried out his own show on the same network but when neither worked, Jay Leno returned in March 2010.

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