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Leno Takes Final Bow on Tonight Show

Torch passed to Conan O'Brien after 17-year run

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 30, 2009 4:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Jay Leno said goodnight to the Tonight Show last night with a low-key farewell that included a look back at the host’s 17-year run, Variety reports. "When we started the show, my hair was black and the president was white," he quipped. The grand finale was an onstage parade of the 68 children born to staffers since Leno took over from Johnny Carson.

Leno's successor, Conan O'Brien, was the final guest. O'Brien said people had been asking him all week how it felt to have Leno's big shoes to fill, and joked that someday it would be nice to fill "little shoes” instead. Leno reminded guests he'd be back with a new show in September. "I'm going to a secluded spot where no one can find me—NBC primetime," he quipped.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Conan O'Brien interviewed by Jay Leno during Leno's final taping as host of "The Tonight Show" in Burbank, Calif. yesterday. (AP Photo/NBC, Paul Drinkwater)

Jay Leno is seen during his final taping as host of "The Tonight Show" yesterday. (AP Photo/NBC, Paul Drinkwater)

"Tonight Show" host Jay Leno poses for a photo with the children of the show's employees from the past 17 years on Friday, May 29, 2009 in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/NBC, Paul Drinkwater)

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Highlights from Jay Leno's final week hosting the "Tonight Show." (Halbertis)

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Leno Takes Final Bow on Tonight Show