I can easily see Leno selling hot rods until next year and then stepping in at the Ed when Dave goes back to Indiana. Although Leno is only three years younger.
Leno consistently won in younger demographics, so the idea that his audience was blue hairs is a myth.
His run is even more amazing because it isn't like a lot of people had the station on NBC already. The primetime has been a dark hole.
I did get a photo on there (2003). Shocked the bejabbers out of me when I saw it while channel surfing one night. I mean, we were an 18K daily in Podunk.
Ferguson has a clause in his contract that would have him take over 11:30 if something were to happen to Letterman during the contact period. So if that happens, there's a chance he could inherit it if CBS were to go along with it.