Jay Leno: NBC Stands For 'Never Believe Your Contract!'

January 8th, 2010 12:51 AM

NBC's Jay Leno on Thursday mocked his employers over rumors that his new program is about to be canceled.

During the opening monologue of "The Jay Leno Show," the comedian joked about having spoken to CBS "Evening News" host Katie Couric: "You know, she left NBC for another network. I gotta give her a call, see how that's working out."

The former "Tonight Show" host then suggested that if he does get canceled, he should do some traveling: "I understand that Fox is beautiful this time of year."

Finally, he told sidekick and bandleader Kevin Eubanks that NBC stands for "Never Believe Your Contract" (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript):

JAY LENO, HOST: Well, I just got off from wishing Happy Birthday to Katie Couric. It's Katie Couric's birthday today. You know, she left NBC for another network. I gotta give her a call, see how that's working out. As you may have heard, there's a rumor floating around we may have, we were canceled. I heard it coming in this morning on the radio. So far, nobody's said anything to me. But Kev, if we did get canceled, it would give us time to maybe do some traveling. In fact, I understand that Fox is beautiful this time of year. Beautiful. Beautiful this time of year. Actually, I don't think, I don't think there's any truth to the rumor. See, it's always been my experience, NBC only cancels you when you're in first place. So we're fine. [...]

LENO: Hey Kev.

KEVIN EUBANKS: What's up, Jay?

LENO: What does NBC stand for?

EUBANKS: What's that?

LENO: Never believe your contract! 

D'oh!