I always tried to plot out, at the beginning of any complex negotiations, the desired end point. After we discussed the problem from every angle, it became clear that CBS was our desired end point. In June 1992, shortly after Leno took over at Tonight, I called one of my favorite executives, Howard Stringer, CBS’s president. Howard was bright and calm and lethally witty—and I knew he was determined to plant his flag in late night. “Dave’s not available now,” I said, “but we’re looking at possibilities after his contract expires. It might be a good idea if you started thinking about it.”
