Jay Leno says goodbye to the Tonight Show for the second time. That’s a point not lost on the host. He quipped, “I don’t like goodbyes — NBC does — but I don’t care for them… Tonight is our last show for real. I don’t need to be fired three times — I get the hint.”
The last time Leno said goodbye, it was a quiet affair with his successor Conan O’Brien as his final guest. This farewell included salutes from President Obama and many celebities. Obama joked, “You made a lot of jokes about me over the years. I’m not upset.” He then noted that he was appointing Leno his new ambassador to Antarctica. “Hope you’ve got a coat funny man!”
Friend Billy Crystal visited and talked about Leno’s time on Tonight and their long history together as friends. Garth Brooks performed his hit song “The Dance.”
Crystal and celebrities like Jack Black, Carol Burnett, and Oprah Winfrey performed a rendition of The Sound of Music’s “So Long, Farewell” song with The Shut Your Von Trapp Family Singers.
The episodes ends with Leno tearfully thanking the audience. He recounts how he lost his parents and brother in his early days on the show and how the Tonight Show crew became his family. He finishes quoting Johnny Carson and wishing Jimmy Fallon well.
Billy Crystal reminisces about Leno’s 22 year run on Tonight.
Musical guest Garth Brooks performs.
Actress Carol Burnett, singer Sheryl Crow, actor Jack Black, basketball player Chris Paul, host Jay Leno, actor Jim Parsons, Kim Kardashian, and Oprah Winfrey during Jay Leno’s farewell song
Sheryl Crow, Carol Burnett, Oprah Winfrey, Leno, Kim Kardashian, Jack Black, Chris Paul, Crystal, Jim Parsons and composer Marc Shaiman on the final show.
Photos by Stacie McChesney/NBC.
What do you think? Did you like the last episode? Will you watch the new show with Jimmy Fallon?
I really miss his show.
Jay was the BEST! I like Jimmy but will be switching to ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, because his style is alot like Jay’s. I cried so hard at the end of Jay on Thursday. Soooo Sad!!!!!!!!! Hate to loose such a class act! Shame on you NBC:-(
Things are what they are. I enjoyed Leno, now I am looking forward to Jimmy Fallon. He is a funny, entertaining, classy guy. Time keeps marching on.
I’ve always liked Jay Leno and won’t be watching the Tonight Show from here on out. I was a Carson fan and a Leno fan and I just don’t think Jimmy Fallon will be able to step up to the plate. He’s not that funny to me and I don’t think he has the charisma that is necessary to sit at the helm of a major show like Tonight. If NBC really wanted Leno out of the Tonight show, they sure screwed up with the whole Conan/Leno fiasco. I think Conan was much better of a choice to carry on… Read more »
Leno isn’t really a “classy” person (he swears like a New Yorker), but he was a good host comedian. He was easily the second best Tonight Show host next to Johnny Carson. Pros: Great bits, Jaywalking, Photobooth, Headlines, etc. never failed to make an audience laugh. Cons: Weak interview skills, filled mostly with “Oh yeah? That’ good, that’s good.” He should have been left alone though. He could easily have done the show for another 10 years and kept The Tonight Show in the number 1 slot. As for Fallon, he tries. He’s just too amused by his own jokes,… Read more »
Jay Leno really is a classy person and I am really sorry to see him go. I like Jimmy Fallon, who has a great show. I just don’t really see why they can’t leave things as they are for a little while longer.
Jay leno is a classy person and gentleman. Enjoy life and family.
As for Jimmy Fallon, good luck to you. I’m sure you will have great success and I’m
looking forward to watching you. You are also a classy person.
I want you to know that think the decision makes at NBC have screwed it again. I have absolutely no interest in continuing to watch this show after your departure and I want to thank you for providing the laughter and fun that you and your show have provided. Thank you so much for you. You’re great!