Jay Leno used his first "Tonight Show" monologue since layoffs at the show to blame NBC and corporate parent Comcast for the job losses.
"Welcome to 'The Tonight Show,' or as Comcast calls us, 'The Expendables,'” he said Monday.
The show dismissed about 20 staffers last week, and Leno agreed to take a sizable paycut to prevent further job losses.
Also read: 'Tonight Show' Lays Off 20 Staffers, Leno Takes Pay Cut
"As you may have heard, our parent company has downsized 'The Tonight Show.' And we’ve consistently been number one in the ratings," Leno continued in the monologue. “And if you know anything about our network, that kind of thing is frowned upon.”
He added: "I have more bad news: turns out we’ve been taken over by Bain Capital. … I knew something was going on. Friday morning I woke up and there was a peacock head in my bed."
NBC has declined to provide a reason for the layoffs. The show has slipped in the ratings since the messy exit of Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno's reinstatement as its host in 2010, but it remains the No. 1 show in late night.
Watch the monologue: