The host left the show after 22 years.
Billy Crystal was Leno’s first guest on the show 22 years ago, and his last one this week. Image via The New York Times
Sad news for Jay Leno fans, as the TV personality hosted his last Tonight Show last night. “It’s fun to kind of be the old guy and sit back here and see where the next generation takes this great institution. But it really is time to go and hand it off to the next guy, it really is,” he said about passing the show over to Jimmy Fallon. On Thursday night, Billy Crystal, Garth Brooks, Jack Black, Kim Kardashian, Carol Burnett and Oprah Winfrey were guests on the show, in what became a sort of retirement party for the 63 year old. Billy Crystal had also been Leno’s first guest on the show back in 1992, so it ended cyclically for Leno. About the early 90s, Leno reminisces: “Justin Bieber wasn’t even born yet. That’s why we call them ‘the good old days.'”
Jay Leno wearing short sunglasses & a suit. Image via visionmonday.com
Even president Obama paid his respects in a taped message for Jay Leno, and the host went down with a final message: “I bid you all a heartfelt goodnight.” Unsurprisingly, the show had high ratings, even if it was just for those curious to see the big change. Jimmy Fallon will take over on Monday night, and there’s no way of telling what Leno’s plans are from now on.
Jack Black, Jay Leno & Kim Kardashian on the last Tonight show Leno hosted. Image via Reuters
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