11.9 million viewers watched Jay Leno's last Tonight show

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay Leno's final "Tonight" show drew nearly 12 million viewers but fell well short of his most-watched night or Johnny Carson's farewell.

Leno wrapped up his 17-year run on "Tonight" on May 29, with new host Conan O'Brien and James Taylor as guests.

It proved to be Leno's seventh-highest-rated "Tonight" telecast, with 11.9 million viewers. The highest rated: Leno's 1993 show marking the finale of the sitcom "Cheers," watched by more than 22 million.

Leno's 1992 debut on "Tonight," when he replaced Carson, drew 16.1 million viewers. Carson wrapped up his three decades on the late-night show with an audience of 41 million.

But Leno's final "Tonight" show audience was more than double his current season average of 5.2 million viewers.



by the associated press

Leno's "Tonight Show" farewell

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Americans are used to change -- we get a brand-new administration in Washington, D.C., every four years or so. But it happens a lot less often on NBC's venerable, 55-year-old "Tonight Show," and the last time there was a handover of power, let's just say it didn't go as smoothly as everyone might have liked. Network brass weren't going to let that happen this time. Jay Leno's final "Tonight Show" week was a carefully orchestrated blend of favorite guests and classic bits. All he had to do on the final show was shake hands with his successor, Conan O'Brien, tie up a few knots, and go home. (At least until September, when Jay takes over the 10 p.m. slot at the Peacock.)




from the washington post

Leno gets set to leave

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — It took a radio disc jockey to remind Jay Leno where he'll stand in "Tonight Show" history when he walks off the stage for the last time Friday.

Leno was at the wheel of one of his famous vintage cars when he heard the DJ conduct a pop quiz: Who's the second-longest-running host of "Tonight," after Johnny Carson?

"The guy on the radio actually got it before I did," Leno said Thursday, smiling. "It just sort of made me laugh. I went, `Oh, that's pretty good.'"

Maybe even better than good?

"I come from `pretty good,'" replied Leno, unfailingly modest in interviews. "If somebody wants to say even better, that's great."

He will have posted an impressive 17 years as "Tonight" host, but well short of Carson's three decades that ended with his retirement in May 1992. Leno debuted as "Tonight" host a few days later.

He leaves the show atop the late-night ratings, his run abbreviated by NBC's decision five years ago to create a succession plan that gives "Tonight" to Conan O'Brien.

On the eve of his final two shows, Leno strikes an unsentimental tone. But he knows what he's leaving behind as he moves to a new, untested 10 p.m. EDT daily prime-time show for NBC this fall.

"Will I miss it? Yes, terribly. It's the most wonderful job ever in show business," he said of "Tonight," which started in 1954 with Steve Allen as host.

Unlike the solitary road life of a typical standup comedian, telling jokes to an audience of maybe 100 or so, Leno said, he had the chance to make millions of viewers laugh — and then go home each night to his wife.

In a conference room at NBC's studio, a bulletin board typically filled with lists of guests and comedy bits for upcoming shows is nearly bare, down to the final two shows. "Prince," read one red card for Thursday, when the pop star was set to guest.

Prince's baby-blue Bentley was parked in the studio lot, near the backstage entrance and next to one of Leno's prized vehicles, an eye-catching red pickup truck.

In the lunch room, the staff raids boxes of snack cakes, topped by a sign indicating they were compliments of Lyle Lovett, a guest earlier this week.

Starting Monday, at a newly built studio at nearby Universal City, O'Brien will be the man in charge of "Tonight."

Leno declined to give advice to O'Brien, whom he called "a terrific guy" and a friend.

"He'll bring his sensibility" to the show, Leno said.

Over the years, the two have called to commiserate privately after a "dreadful" guest visited "Tonight" or O'Brien's "Late Night," Leno said.

"Hopefully, we'll continue to do that," he said. After all, the two are enjoying an amicable transition.

"That's what's great about these American democracy things. We can peacefully hand over talk shows without looting and rioting," Leno joked.

This summer, he'll continue doing his standup appearances that filled his weekends during his "Tonight" reign. More importantly, he'll get ready for the new show that, he acknowledges, will face stiff competition in prime-time.

"It'll be really tricky. But we'll just do the best we can," Leno said.

NBC is owned by General Electric Co.


by the associated press

Jay Leno near Current Call

Jay Leno nears the end of his 'Tonight Show' road
By FRAZIER MOORE – 15 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) — An appraisal of a veteran talk-show host and comedian should have lots to say about his funniness.

Let's just credit Jay Leno with persistence.

On Friday, Leno surrenders his job as host of NBC's "Tonight Show" after 17 years. It's a job he won against stiff competition. Then, early in his run, it's a job he defended against NBC bosses who were having second thoughts.

Since the mid-1990s, he has won the late-night ratings war. With a smile on his face and never a complaint, he has worked tirelessly. (No one could believe it when he took a couple of sick days recently, his first while at "Tonight.")

And even now, with Conan O'Brien set to take over Monday (thanks to NBC's transition plan that made Leno a late-night lame duck five years ago), he isn't really leaving. He's moving up. Next fall, "The Jay Leno Show" will premiere on NBC weeknights at 10 p.m. Eastern.

At age 59, Leno is graduating from late night to what used to be perceived as TV's big time. NBC has made him lord of nearly one-fourth of its crumbling prime-time manor.

But as his "Tonight Show" tenure comes to an end, what is his mark on that hallowed institution?

Uhhhhh, what to say, what to say?

It's so much easier to speak about the three hosts who preceded him.

Steve Allen (1954-57) gets credit for no less than inventing late night, down to the desk and couch. Allen was bespectacled and brainy, with a mischievous wit that would be felt in late-night long after he was gone.

Jack Paar (1957-62) was impishly well-spoken, boundlessly inquisitive and urbane in unpredictable ways — he could blow his top or shed sentimental tears, and still seem suave.

Johnny Carson (the king of Late Night, whose reign began in 1962) put America to bed for 30 years. The things he joked about in his monologue; the guests he welcomed to his couch — he was a major cultural arbiter, a unifying force. America slept better after watching him.

Since May 25, 1992, Jay Leno has sat at the desk.

Make no mistake, he has been a sturdy placeholder. Big chin, unfailingly likable. The sort of regular guy with whom his audience identifies.

And with whom his guests feel peace of mind, knowing Jay will handle them with care.

Jay handles everyone with care — most of all, his 5 million viewers.

Consider how he cares for them in every monologue. He delivers each joke as if for slow learners, with its punch line underlined, reiterated, explained. His policy is clear: No Viewer Left Behind.

Without fail, Leno's show fills an hour and kills an hour. It never challenges its viewers by daring to do more. It's stable and dependable, with nothing left to chance or the viewer's imagination. No danger of a comedy breakthrough here.

Small wonder David Letterman, not Leno, has always been the spiritual successor to Johnny Carson. As Leno's rival over on CBS, Letterman hosts "Late Show" with the mastery befitting a post-Carson "Tonight."

He will continue to do so, just as he has for nearly 16 years. No torch is being passed while Dave's on duty. At NBC, what's happening is musical chairs.

As of next week, "Tonight" will star Conan, while Jay gets ready for prime time.

"We can hope that Jay expands his audience from 11:30," said NBC boss Ben Silverman recently, citing prime time's larger pool of available viewers. "But we'd be happy even at the same rate."

A late-night talk show sprawled across prime time: It's a bold plan. Also a fascinating exercise in lowered expectations, with Leno the right man to give it a shot. After all, for 17 years in late night he has vigorously played a game of lowered expectations, and met them.

That could sum up his "Tonight Show" legacy



by the associated press

Jay Leno Says Farewell

Leno says goodbye but not for very long.

On Friday night, we will say goodbye to Jay Leno and hello to Conan O’Brien. Entertainment Weekly reports that after 17 years hosting the Tonight Show, Leno will bid adieu to the show. O’Brien and Billy Crystal are scheduled as guests. Crystal was his first guest in 1992 when Jay Leno officially took over the show.

According to the Startribune.com, Leno’s last shows will not be sentimental as he is not a sentimental guy on television. Leno’s disciplined standup comedian role will help him to stay the course of the planned show and give his audience a proper farewell.

In the fall, Leno will move to prime time, 10 p.m. It will be intriguing to see two new hosts assume two new positions but it is hard to tell if a talk show in a prime-time slot will bring in many viewers or if O’Brien can maintain the same ratings as Leno has for 17 years. The Mercurynews.com reports that this is a risky move but it may also be brilliant. Instead of watching a serious drama, like most other dramas at 10 p.m., you’ll have a chance to laugh.



from thecelebritycafe.com