(CNN) -- Do comedy writers share notes or do they just think alike? On the day "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno announced he was passing the baton to Jimmy Fallon, he and an old rival shared nearly identical jokes on their late night shows. In his opening monologue on Wednesday, Leno said it had been a tough day for him. "Had a really awkward day today," the late night host said in mock anguish. "Had to call David Letterman and tell him he didn't get 'The Tonight Show' ... again." At nearly the same instant on the "Late Show," Letterman addressed his rival's impending retirement.
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NEW: New York Times media reporter Bill Carter says Leno was "on board with this"
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Fallon will replace Leno in spring 2014
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Leno first left the show in 2009 but returned after his new show failed
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The new "Tonight Show" will also return to New York
"I got a call from my mom today, she says, 'Well, @placeholder, I see you didn't get the 'Tonight Show' again,'" Letterman said with a shrug.