Jay Leno will be exiting the primetime 10 pmET slot starting February 12th to go back to a late night show, NBC Universal TV chairman Jeff Gaspin confirmed to reporters at the Television Critics Association meetings. Inside, check out a reaction from Mediaite editor-at-large Rachel Sklar, along with more details on the switch.

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The news yesterday was that Conan O’Brien was not happy about NBC’s shenanigans. On his own show, he joked about it, zinging NBC with a much lighter touch than Leno, but still. “Welcome to the show everybody,” he greeted the crowd, which seemed to cheer for him extra-long at the start. “We’ve got a great show tonight – I have no idea what time it will air, but it’s gonna be a great show.” Video inside!

Whatever the configuration, we all know, practically speaking, when the Tonight Show starts: At 11:35 p.m., up against David Letterman. Conan at 12:05 a.m. may only be a half-hour later but it’s a damn crucial half-hour — which is the reason they’re calling in Jay. Whatever they’re calling it, make no mistake: This is about who gets the Tonight Show.

Whoa! Jay Leno is NOT toeing any party line here from NBC. He opened his show tonight with a hit back at his network after rumors leaked today that he was being canceled. Now the reports are that the lineup is being reshuffled — which sucks for everyone concerned and makes everyone involved look bad. Tonight, Leno made it very clear that he had nothing to do with it.