Kanye's Apologetic Appearance

Although it was "The Jay Leno Show's" big prime-time debut on September 14 , Kanye West undoubtedly stole some of the limelight from the host as he announced that he will be taking time off for reflection.


Only one day after the singer interrupted 19-year-old country superstar Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards, a repentant West made an appearance on Leno's new show to deliver an apology. West interrupted Swift as she accepted a best female video award for "You Belong With Me," arguing that Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" video was more deserving.

Beyoncé - New Music - More Music Videos

Beyoncé, the gracious and humble woman she is, called Swift back on stage when she won video of the year, noting that she has had her share of award-show moments.
Before the MTV Video Music Awards even came to an end, West had already issued an all-caps apology to Swift and her mother on his blog.

"It was rude, period," West said on Leno.
West posted a second apology to Swift on his blog on Monday, and told Leno he wanted to apologize to the country music star in person.

West had already been scheduled to perform on Leno's first prime-time show on NBC, but after the surging controversy, West asked for time to talk. And everyone wanted to hear what West had to say.
Leno was quick to reference the West incident with one of his first monologue jokes, saying that President Barack Obama had invited West and Swift for a “root beer summit.”
"Without Kanye West and his conveniently-timed controversy from the MTV Video Music Awards, NBC's Jay Leno Show premiere Monday would have been even more of a cut-rate, snooze-inducing, rehashed bore," wrote Robert Blanco of USA Today.
The debut of the 10 p.m. comedy show was seen by 18.4 million viewers. That's 9.2 million more viewers than Conan O'Brien's debut of the "Tonight Show," and 6.5 million more viewers than Leno's final "Tonight Show" last May.
I guess we will have to stick around to see if West's career will tank, and if Leno's show will remain a hit.

See you tomorrow night!