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NBC: Leno Took $15 Million Pay Cut to Prevent Additional Layoffs at ‘Tonight Show’

Sep. 7, 2012 6:39pm Jason Howerton

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: TV personality Jay Leno (Credit: Getty Images)

Jay Leno agreed to give up 50 percent of his salary — or $15 million — in order to reduce layoffs at “The Tonight Show,” a NBC Universal spokesperson told CNN.

A source “with direct knowledge of the situation” told CNN last month that NBC has already laid off 20 to 25 employees of “The Tonight Show” and Leno adjusted his salary accordingly to prevent any additional firings.

CNN’s source said the layoffs were made in order to cut expenses to match typical late-night programming instead of an expensive prime time program. CNN has more background:

Leno replaced the legendary Johnny Carson as host of “The Tonight Show” in 1992, a job he held for 17 years before he left in 2009 to helm “The Jay Leno Show” with a 10 p.m. start time. But a few months later, in January 2010, NBC announced that the comedian would return to the 11:35 p.m. time slot.

The comic’s venture into prime time three years ago was pitched as an attempt by the network to parlay his proven popularity into a commercially successful show.

But lagging ratings prompted NBC executives to change course within a few months. That move ultimately led to fellow talk show host Conan O’Brien’s departure from the network. O’Brien, who had taken over “The Tonight Show,” now hosts the show “Conan” on TBS, which, like CNN, is a division of Time Warner

Leno’s contract has been extended through September 2014, according to the report.

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Comments (123)

Palmer1943
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:20pm
And to top it off I would imagine that he takes the majority of the 15 and gives that to all of the great Far Left Obama marketing machines. Communist and Socialist party’s must be thrilled.

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- 762x51
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:53pm
  True, Leno is a well known leftist but at least he put his money where his mouth is.
  
  I just hope he can live on $15M a year, I’m pretty sure I could, and I’m sure I’d be willing to try.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:00pm
  I’m no fan of Leno but at least it is leadership – give the guy a break.
  
  Think of it this way….Leno ‘saved or created’ 20 jobs
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:04pm
  Jay Leno earns $30M per year (not counting his investments) and that’s OK.
  Mitt Romney earns $20M per year (only his investments) and that’s not OK.
  Where is my super smart nephew to tell me how this can be true and OK with liberals?
  
  Report this comment
- 13th Imam
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:18pm
  That puts Jay about 19 more than Barry
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:19pm
  “A source “with direct knowledge of the situation” told CNN last month that NBC has already laid off 20 to 25 employees of “The Tonight Show” and Leno adjusted his salary accordingly to prevent any additional firings.”
  
  After laying off 20% to 25% of the Tonight Show employees…. I’m wondering what’s the minimum amount of employees needed to keep to show on air? Has that already been reached? Hey Leno, how’s that Hollywood Progressive doctrine working out for you?
  
  At $30M per year…… what’s Leno’s Capitol Gains portfolio look like? I hear Crissy is going to look right into that after watching the Jack Nicholson Mars Attacks movie while listening to David Bowie’s Spiders from Mars over and over.
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:29pm
  @soybomb315_II
  I do not understand your logic. 20% to 25% of his employees have already been fired. The only reason he took a pay cut to a lowly $15M per year _poor fellow_ was to keep his gig alive. He should have said FU to Hollywood and lived off his Capitol Gains. Hollywood and the _Jay Leno advertisers_ would have begged Jay to stay at twice the money and reinstated the staff.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:39pm
  @Ask Uncle JZS
  You answered your own question.
  
  Yes, he wanted to keep the show on the air. He obviously felt that losing more staff would hurt the quality. Corporations are not made of money you know
  
  Report this comment
- HOPEFORCHANGE
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:50pm
  Left leaning or not, it was still an incredible act and I am sure those who still have their jobs would have great things to say about their boss. Good for you Jay — now just start speaking out like Eastwood, because frankly, I believe you hold more in common with his view than Obama. Man up on the ideas now Jay.
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:56pm
  @soybomb315_II
  “He obviously felt that losing more staff would hurt the quality”
  
  Are you saying that the 20% to 25% already fired were not needed to keep the _quality_ the same but that any more fired _would_ hurt the show? Sounds like they had too many people on the payroll to begin with.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolfgang the Gray
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:09pm
  Jay has a huge investment in all the classic cars he has. He is preserving a very important part of our American heritage, the love with the automobile. I have read his pieces in Popular Mechanics for years. He may support Obama, but I can’t say anything bad about Jay as Obama is a passing fad, but what Jay has done to preserve our automotive history is far more important and long lasting.
  
  I have a friend that voted for Obama because he blindly accepted the Hope & Change pixie dust, but he has since realized how stupid he was and no longer supports Obama. Everyone makes mistakes and when they realize it and change their ways, I can accept that.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:30pm
  @Ask Uncle JZS
  Are you an executive at NBC? Cuz you sure seem to know a lot about this
  
  Report this comment
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:30pm
  Congress hasn’t passed a constutionally mandated budget in years , let’s cut their pay in half too….they ain’t doin SQUAT, INCLUDING THE SPINELESS RINOS…….
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:56pm
  @soybomb315_II
  “Are you an executive at NBC? Cuz you sure seem to know a lot about this”
  
  Nope. I’m the executive of jzs’s mothers basement. You know. Where jzs makes all those stupid comments and posts from. I took over his computer and have him changed up in the bathroom. LOL
  
  wink wink nudge nudge know what i mean?
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:03pm
  @soybomb315_II
  BTW I set up a second monitor in the bathroom so jzs could watch and he’s screaming bloody murder that I’m not chastising you for not putting a _period_ at the end of your sentence. I suggest you use some really _bad_ grammar to further irritate him. LOL
  
  Report this comment
- HKS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:21pm
  So Jay is one of those awful rich guys? I’m crushed.
  
  Report this comment
- HKS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:24pm
  I wonder if Jay is doing better now then four years ago.
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:39pm
  @HKS
  “I wonder if Jay is doing better now then four years ago.”
  Apparently not. But now that you mentioned it the liberals will change the question to….
  
  “Are you doing better now than you will be in 4 years”?
  
  Report this comment
- Conservativeman
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:18pm
  Leno started to decline when he began campaigning for Obama four years ago. I haven’t watched a show since two month before the 08 elections. I used to watch him twice a week. Not the first celebrity to take a hit for supporting the far left. Oprah is hurting too, the people have spoken with their remote controls. ABC/CBS/NBC morning shows and evening news programs are also in the tank for the same reasons. Return to a professional product and people will respect it. Produce progressive crap and at least half the people will choose to not watch it.
  
  Report this comment
- mharry860
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 12:20am
  ASK UNCLE JZS, you bored or something?
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 12:51am
  @mharry860
  “ASK UNCLE JZS, you bored or something?”
  
  Yep. Aren’t you? Most every person posting here is bored with little else to do with their Life. Why are you here? What’s going on in your Life. Not much I imagine. Not much with me either. After Obama wins you will not have much more to do. Are you prepared for 4 more years of boredom, food stamps and handouts?
  
  Starting to get my point?
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 12:57am
  @mharry860
  The Lord must Love crazy people….. for He made so many of them.
  
  Report this comment
- grayling646
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 2:17am
  Can someone provide a link to his ‘flaming liberal philosophy’? I’ve searched and can’t find it anywhere. Although he did make this statement, “When I was a kid, Republicans were about defense and fiscal responsibility. Now it’s about, ‘A condom? Oh, my God, get that out of here.’ I mean, when did it become the party of all these social issues?” Sounds like a Tea Party kind of guy to me but I doubt he would agree (at least not in public). Also, it seems his wife’s primary feminist work involves making people aware of how women in Afghanistan are treated by the Taliban.
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 3:40am
  @mharry860
  “ASK UNCLE JZS, you bored or something?’
  
  Yep, and this is my 3rd response to you that The Blaze will not post. The Blaze is too busy letting all the Wango type trolls to post and exercise their 1st amendment rights and shunting my 1st amendment rights to do the same. Shame on The Blaze and the Blaze moderators. : ((((
  
  Report this comment
- The_Almighty_Creestof
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 5:05am
  I’m still on Team Coco!
  
  Report this comment
- zman173rd
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 10:29am
  Not sure how many employees he saved. If they make $100 K a year that’s 150 employees. They already laid off 20/25 employees. Maybe EVERYBODY shouild take a pay cut. I remember when I worked for a company that was furloughing a guy for two weeks due to costs. somenone had the great idea to take from our salaries to make up for his two weeks. The guy wasn’t happy; he was looking forward to a two week unpaid vacation so he could go skiing. bummer.
  
  Report this comment
- SILAS
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 11:16am
  FYI Leno is actually a Moderate Republican and supported Ahhnold Schwartznegger for Governor of “Cally-fornya”.
  
  Report this comment
- hayesstephen
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 11:18am
  Hey I know something the Network should consider. Fire Leno, put something entertaining on. I refuse to watch that guy. What and ego. Every night he comes out and shakes hands with the audience. What piffle. Don’t tell me it’s for the fans, it is show biz and its bad show biz. He needs to get new writers, because he’s not funny, same old tired guests and same old tripe. That red headed guy is even less funny than Leno. I know, I know how could anyone be less funny then Leno? It is hard to believe be it is true. Hey how about a new name? Hum let me see , the Jay Piffle show? The Jay Lameo Show, the Limited Humor Hour with Jay, or maybe “Tonight the If it ain’t funny you will see it here on the Jay ‘ Put em to sleep Leno Show!’ Tripe, piffle and just dumb jokes night after night. Johnny, Steve, Jack oh how you are missed!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- USMC6975
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 11:26am
  Wow….I thought Hollywood was all for the “little people” Why only give up 15 million. He could easily live on 5 million and give the rest to the poor.
  
  Report this comment
- jst1425
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 12:20pm
  Hey…here ya go Jay. An “investment idea” you can surely agree with. Just look at it as “investing in the people of America”…your R.O.I (return on investment) could skyrocket…LOL
  
  Check out this investment option;
  http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/08/173k-food-stamps-96k-new-jobs
  
  Report this comment
- The Top Crusader
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 3:01pm
  Heh. Jay saves/gives to charity his entire Tonight Show paycheck. He lives very comfortably off his standup career. He’s a nice guy.
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 5:19pm
  I get the feeling that Jay’s views are more in line with Clint’s, too. Jay is a gear-head. He loves cars and motorcycles and has a great collection. Anyone who loves cars, motorcycles, and engines can’t be a looney lefiy. He may act the left part to keep his audience, but I think he is more conservative than he lets on. I don’t know any lefty that would give up money to keep people from getting fired.
  I have always liked Leno, even though I don’t watch his show. When he and Letterman were vying for Carson’s place on the Tonight Show, I was glad Letterman didn’t get it. I met Letterman before he got big and he was just as big an ******* then as he is now. I was part of a stage crew at college, where we toted the equipment off the truck and help set it up for the concerts. I met a lot of celebrities that way.
  
  Report this comment
The_Jerk
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:14pm
NBC, the National Barack Channel.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:23pm
  MSNBC, More Support for the National Barack Campaign.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:24pm
  ABC, the All Barack Channel.
  
  Report this comment
- slade37
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 3:21pm
  Actually, our local ABC News radio station in Phoenix (KTAR) doesn’t sound like an Obama channel. They used to have Glenn Beck on it. I’m not sure why the show switched stations, but KTAR sounds more like a Libertarian station for the most part. During Biden’s speech, one of the morning guys, Bruce St. James, was tweeting “go off script, go off script, go off script.” He wanted Biden to make another stupid remark. He was no fan of Obama’s acceptance speech.
  
  Report this comment
Bohump
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:13pm
Way to Go Jay,,,,, good man. .. But N.B.C. would get better rateings, if it was not so LEFT WING.

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- Wolf
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:30pm
  won’t matter much- a futile effort, IMO- won’t be long before they’re all laid off despite Leno’s efforts.
  
  Report this comment
- mtnhimike
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:48pm
  Who watchs NBC I find the shows on other Cable TV better shows and better entertainment and would not watch NBC unless there was a sports event I wanted to see.
  
  Report this comment
- pissantno.10
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:38pm
  ratings droping nobody watching they still can not figure out why , sorry for jay his wife tells him what to do other than that i hear he is a pretty nice guy in person and his old ladys not around
  
  Report this comment
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 12:30am
  Jay did a good thing. We need more people in this country like him.
  
  Unfortunately, when corporations start downsizing, they always lay off the lower paying support staff and middle management in order for the top managers and executives to get their raises and bonuses. I know this because I’ve worked in HR for large corporations and have watched it happen over and over again.
  
  Being laid off is a devastating experience. However, this is more of a social and moral issue, and certainly NOT a government issue. The wealthy are paying plenty of taxes, but they are more focused on their bottom line, bonuses, and investors than on their employees. I remember a time when the work place was like a second family, so it’s sad we no longer see each other that way.
  
  Report this comment
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:11pm
To sum up, Jay Leno embraced self-imposed austerity measures, and cut funds that he previously enjoyed. I wonder if the DNC could even comprehend what the words “austerity” and “cuts” mean?

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Thayes
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:10pm
He supports Obama and teh mantra of fair share for the rich. How come this mangnanamous jerk didnt save all the jobs he is rich how much more does he need. Thats teh mind of teh liberal as long as i already have mine make sure noone can compare to me and Ill be damned if I want to be held to the standard that I want to impose on others. He could have workd for residuals in the future and saved all those jobs. But no he has to get his first liberal BS.

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Tri-ox
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:09pm
Is The Tonight Show still on the air? Why?

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KingCanon
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:06pm
So… I tipped a waitress 3 bucks last night at the Golden Corral.
Apples to apples we’re talking about here and I’m not even mentioned
here on the Blaze at all. What’s up with that?

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intercepter
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:05pm
well Jay is ok ,but the thing is ,if he chose to do this to help his fellow employees ,then good for him
Obama’s way is to TAKE it away from Jay ,cause people like Leno just hate everyone

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chips1
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:04pm
I told my boss that I also wanted to take a $15 million pay cut. He threatened me and said I would never work at McDonalds again.

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Critical Thinker
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:04pm
Good guy Leno! Just saw him in person at Universal Studios on vacation 2 weeks ago. Very nice guy.

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grayling646
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:01pm
Good for Jay. For all you liberals out there, this is an example of a rich person doing what he does because he loves doing it. Not for the money. Most wealthy people are this way. He had a dream (a goal) then he no doubt struggled (in many ways, including financially) then he got the prize (professional success and wealth). He got the prize because of the dream. Not because of the struggle.

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- SILAS
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 11:19am
  Leno is NOT a Liberal! Trust me he’s NOT
  
  Report this comment
- grayling646
  Posted on September 9, 2012 at 8:09am
  I know Silas. I was talking to any liberals who may be on this site.
  
  Report this comment
Bobby D
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:56pm
What a fine and dignified move Jay. I will write-in your name for POTUS. You’ll be able to make that other $15,000,000 in the first term.

Yours,

Vinny

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repairsea
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:54pm
Our beloved veterans give up time being with their families, watching their children grow up, and being home to risk their lives in Afghanistan. Many reservists leave behind better paying jobs. Now that is admirable.

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right-wing-waco
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:53pm
What is so interesting that Leno is worth $15 million? I don’t dislike him and I DO NOT want any caps on what someone can earn, but is anyone really worth $15 million.

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- Oneirishman
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:11pm
  I am. But I will be even more courageous than Jay and cut that 15 mill in half, call me NBC!
  
  Report this comment
- SHASTADIANE1
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:34pm
  Actually, you will note he took 1/2 pay cut, which means he was making 30 Million a year. Glenn told on his show a couple of weeks ago, that on his BD they were in LA and took the kids to Disney. Before they went, his wife Tonya, made arrangements with Jay for them to go visit, as he had invited them before. He agreed, and Glenn said they had a wonderful visit with him showing off his collector cars to Glenn and his son Rafe. Glenn said he was a very nice, down to earth, generous man…and this is coming from a man who is outcast in a lot of circles. Bravo to Jay Leno. I’ve never been a big fan of him professionally, but I have always heard he was a really nice guy.
  
  Report this comment
- rdinsd
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:51pm
  In a word, yes. I’m not a Leno fan but the concept of paying someone for their abilities to bring in money for a company is worth payment. Or do you believe that each person on the Tonight Show staff including Leno should split the $$ equally? Should a “bench player” have received as much as Michael Jordan the year he won the MVP? Should the office garbage man get paid as much as the guy who brings $25 million in sales a year for the company? “Sure, why not? Isn’t that fair?” Give me a break. So yes, 15 Mil, 30 Mil, 100 Mil, whatever. It’s all good.
  
  Report this comment
jhubbard
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:51pm
He’s a saint! A SAINT, I SAY!!!!

Imagine the hardships of going from $30,000,000 a year to only $15,000,000 a year!

Somebody pass a hat!

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- grayling646
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:04pm
  So that decision would be a no brainer for you?
  
  Report this comment
michael7695
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:50pm
Wow! What a trooper. He will have to cut back on adding to his car collection. Poor guy.

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hi
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:49pm
Is he a great guy or would he have no job if he hadn’t?

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grams09
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:49pm
Now, that’s how a real leader should act!

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michael48
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:49pm
don’t watch MSM anything, especially Nothing But Crap …… the country would be better off if ALL of NBC would fold…that I KNOW!!!!!!..dem-wits would be in a fizzy…and that would be orgasmic..

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- PorkPIG
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:57pm
  Agree! I have’nt even turned my cable box on in over a month and when i do , I dont watch any of the big ones nbc abc fox tbs cnn , its all skewed garbage .
  
  Report this comment
Gregb
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:49pm
Leno just escalated his status to a real person.
sounds like a wonderful person.

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TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:48pm
I say good for Jay. That’s pretty big of him. It doesn’t matter if he needs it or not; he did a good thing that many wouldn’t do.

However,

The show is too late for me to watch and the band is terrible.

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- PorkPIG
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:03pm
  I liked jay ,Everything Ive seen about him tells me he is genuine nice guy all though in the last 10 years the only bits ive seen of him were the Ron Paul interveiws .
  The ? is i wonder if the NBC exec’s have taken a salary cut to save any jobs , I bet not .
  
  Report this comment
- RiseAboveThem
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:15pm
  I agree–he didn’t have to take the cut. I don’t stay up late to watch either, but clips that are re-run on Fox, shows him mocking and making fun of our beloved Comrade and Chief.
  
  Report this comment
13th Imam
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:48pm
Just how much did those Hollyweird Executives give up in salary? None I expect.

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floridareader
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:47pm
Can we get rid of the government and all its salaries so we can Americans back to work?

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- PorkPIG
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:04pm
  You need to get rid of the federal reserve for that to happen .
  
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FlowerBell
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:47pm
Get the scissors out Jay you’re going to have to start clipping coupons.

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piper60
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:43pm
So——–the layoffs were due to advertising dollars drying up?

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- Welcome Black Carter
  Posted on September 9, 2012 at 3:14pm
  Yes. But that is due to veiwers like me, who tuned him out when he took the show so far to the left it was unwatchable. When I hear that music, the channel gets changed. I would say that happens in millions of homes.
  
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