The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is a late night talk show staring Jay Leno. The program, which airs Monday through Friday at 11:30 pm, is primarily a comedy show that features a monologue by Leno at the beginning of the show and an interview segment.

    On May 14, 2009, it was announced that Leno's final guest, before passing The Tonight Show reigns over to comedian Conan O'Brien, would be O'Brien himself, on May 29, 2009. The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien will begin on June 1, 2009. Other final guests who may appear during Leno's last week as host include Mel Gibson, Prince and Billy Crystal.MSNBC: Leno's Final "Tonight" Guest? Conan! (May 15, 2009)

  • Fast Fact

    1. New episodes: Weekdays at 11:35pm PST
    2. Network: NBC
    3. Current season: Ongoing
    4. First aired: May 25, 1992
    5. Location: Burbank, California
    6. Starring: Jay Leno, Kevin Eubanks, Branford Marsalis, John Melendez and the Tonight Show Band
    7. The Tonight Show started with Jack Paar, then handed down to Johnny Carson, and then to Jay Leno
    8. Conan O'Brien slated to take over hosting duties in June 2009
    9. Four-time Emmy Award winner
    10. Became the first show to host a sitting president in 2009 with Barack Obama's appearanceThe Oval (USA Today): Obama has apologized ... (March 20, 2009)
  • Leno Stand-up Shows

    On May 10, 2009, Leno was expected to hold two free stand-up comedy shows in Wilmington, Ohio— a region hit hard by unemployment in the wake of the recession. Leno did a similar show in Detroit, Michigan, on April 7, 2009.SFGate.com: Leno brings comedy show to jobless Ohio residents (May 10, 2009)
  • President Obama

    President Barack Obama made the best of his March 19, 2009 Tonight Show appearance, but had one gaffe nonetheless. During the interview, Leno made a comment about The White House bowling alley, in reference to Obama's poor bowling during the campaign. Obama quipped that he was practicing, noting that his bowling was "like the Special Olympics or something." After the taping of the show, the president called the Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver to apologize, saying he misspoke. He also offered to have the Special Olympics visit the White House.The Oval (USA Today): Obama has apologized ... (March 20, 2009)
  • Conan O'Brien's Move

    In 2004, NBC announced that Conan O'Brien would be taking over Tonight Show duties in 2009. NBC wanted a clear succession to avoid the fight Leno and Letterman had after Johnny Carson retired. O'Brien will take over the Tonight Show on June 1, 2009, and move to its new studio in Universal Studios, Hollywood.

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