Photos
Video
RSS
TwitterJay Leno's last guest: Conan O'Brien
The last person you'll see on the couch with Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" will be the guy moving behind the desk the following week.
Conan O'Brien, who takes over as host of "The Tonight Show" on Monday, June 1, will help Leno bow out as host the previous Friday. On a conference call with reporters Thursday, Leno says he has every confidence he's leaving the show in good hands.
"I'm glad this is going to Conan. It couldn't go to a better person," Leno says. "He's the guy, and we're friends, and it's a really smooth transition."
Other guests for Leno's last week before moving to primetime include Mel Gibson, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wanda Sykes and Billy Crystal, who was Leno's first guest when he took over "The Tonight Show" in 1992. Musical guests for the week include Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, Prince, Sarah MacLachlan and James Taylor.
Viewers can also expect a healthy number of looking-back clips -- "that's easier than writing new stuff," Leno jokes -- and "something unusual" in the final show. "It's just really different, and has to do with our show and our staff. I think it will make people smile," he says.
As for O'Brien, Leno says, "I don't need to give Conan any advice. We're both doing versions of the same thing. ... He and I often commiserate over bad guests and good guests, and have a few laughs over that. But I don't think he needs any help from me. ...
"The key to Conan is, he's always had good material. The key to doing this is having the product, not just the personality. When Conan went on originally and NBC didn't know if they were going to keep him, he was a writer. He wasn't a performer by trade. He learned to be a performer. If there was any clumsiness or awkwardness at the beginning, it was always backed up by strong jokes, well-written bits and good materials. ... Conan has since, obviously, become a very good performer and a very good interviewer, and with the comedy material and skills to back it up."
Post a comment
Zap2it Twitter Talk 
Do you really want to talk to the guy that's putting you out of your job?
I'm just saying.
Hey, I remember when they both got their jobs. The SNL jokes were Dana Carvey as Johnny Carson 'I just don't see people tunin' in for Jay Leno' Phil Hartman as Ed McMahon 'Lantern Jawed Freak, yes sir.'
And NO ONE had ever heard of Conan O'Brien.
Alex said:
"Do you really want to talk to the guy that's putting you out of your job? "
Umm...do you pay attention Alex? He is not losing a job. He's getting his own show at 10pm ET. That actually might pose a problems for Conan and booking guests.
I think Conan is a great replacement, his comedy is geared more towards a younger generation