PICS, VIDEO: Jay Leno's final 'Tonight Show'

By Hanh Nguyen

May 30, 2009 1:47 AM

On Friday, Jay Leno bid a lighthearted farewell to "The Tonight Show," his talk show home for the past 17 years.

"You know, when I started this show, my hair was black and the president was white," he joked in his opening monologue. "Did you know that? When we started the show, Jon and Kate were both 8."

Some of the highlights of the final episode included revisited footage of guests such as Rodney Dangerfield doing stand-up, a hefty "Jaywalking" montage to help the audience feel smarter and a heartfelt thank you to Leno's late predecessor, Johnny Carson.

James Taylor was also on hand as the final musical guest.

In addition, as a nice personal touch Leno acknowledged all the kids that had been born to the production staff over the past 17 years.

Of course, the most symbolic end-of-an-era highlight was Leno's final guest, Conan O'Brien, who will be taking over "The Tonight Show" desk on Monday.

O'Brien commented that in recent interviews, reporters would always say that he'd have big shoes to fill.

"I want to someday in my career, I want to try and fill little shoes," he quipped. "Someday I want to replace a local weatherman who's been on the air for about three months and who is no good and everybody hates."

The big shoes theme was eerily familiar to O'Brien, whom was introduced by Leno in 1993 as the new host of "Late Night," filling David Letterman's big shoes. Check out footage of the moment:

Leno may be leaving "The Tonight Show," but he'll be back for a 10 p.m. weeknight series on NBC.

Your thoughts? Was it a good farewell episode? Do you think O'Brien will do a good job? Do you think having Leno on five nights a week in primetime is a good idea?

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in Photos, TV News, The Tonight Show, Video

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| Comments (7)

7 Comments

Not really a farewell, as Leno will be back in September doing exactly the same thing, just an hour earlier. Very little emotion on Leno's part and very little celebration of the last 17 years. Boring.

Neither of them (Leno, O'Brien) are very funny and hopefully will help NBC into the early grave that it deserves.

Phil | May 30, 2009 9:24 AM

I remember when Johnny Carson left the tonight show. That was a big deal and I made sure I stayed up to watch, I never liked Leno or O'brien for that matter, so I couldn't care less about the final Leno or the p***ing of the torch.

canadian brian | May 30, 2009 9:32 AM

It was a great show. I have always loved Jay and I thought it was very well done. I'm not a huge fan of Conan so I can't really say how he will do. I never did get his humor. So for me the tonight show was done as of last night. I think Jay will do fine in primetime. As for him being on five nights a week in primetime what's the difference between that and him being on five nights a week on late night?

Anyway It was a great show and I didn't think he needed to show any emotion. He always said how greatful he was to do the show.

Angie | May 30, 2009 9:39 AM

I'm not a fan of Leno, but that was a cl***y goodbye.

Bob | May 30, 2009 10:48 AM

'Bout time he paid tribute to Rodney Dangerfield, for lifting his shtick for months now.

Big picture? This whole move is (and will soon be seen as) a mistake by the overlords at NBC.

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Zoe | May 31, 2009 2:06 AM

I like Leno. Better than any before him including Carson. I LOVE the headlines. And Jay walking. OMG people can be so stupid.

Conan? Well... a few times I watched he was funny. Maybe he'll improve in time.

I'm glad Leno will be in prime time. Most of the time I couldn't stay up so late to catch his show.

Jen | June 4, 2009 8:28 PM