Leno to America: Goodbye! I'm Not Going Anywhere!
NBC
"We're not really leaving," Jay Leno told the studio audience on his last Tonight Show. And he was right. So how do you throw yourself a goodbye when you're not going anywhere? TV has a history of lugubrious farewells for longtime personalities, and while Jay Leno may not have stuck around as long as Johnny Carson, at 17 years, he's been there long enough to earn such a send-off.
The problem is, of course, that Jay is going to be back on NBC in three months, nightly, at 10 p.m. E.T. every weeknight. He's like the high-school big man on campus who's graduating, but will be enrolling in the local community college next fall.
Leno answered the dilemma with what was, in many ways, just another show. There was a little reminiscence for the '90s days that defined his Tonight Show—he thanked Michael Jackson, Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton for all the material, and joked about having found O.J.'s knife while cleaning out his office. He thanked his wife, Mavis. He played a Best of Jaywalking reel. (Who knew there were so many kinds of denim shirt?)
There were a few timely jabs at NBC: "I'm betting NBC will be around in three months." And then he settled in for some jokes about Obama and the economy. (He saw DMX riding a BMX! Hi-yo!) He even introduced a new feature, White Trash Theater, a YouTube-quality video of a woman throwing a bottle at a man.
Business as usual. Which was fitting. One constant with Jay Leno is his dispassionate, businesslike attitude toward his job. That's not to say he's lackadaisical about his career—you don't get to host Tonight, then get offered a nightly 10 p.m. slot, without being savvy—but he recognizes that his job is a job. To hear Jay tell it, he's a guy who likes to get paid to tell jokes, and when a gig ends, it ends. It's nothing personal. "People ask if I'm sad handing the show over," he said. "No, honest, I'm very happy."
And he seemed to mean it. Now in that may be the root of why so many critics like myself prefer David Letterman to Jay: you feel with Letterman that he is intense about what he does, that for all his ironic attitude it is personal for him. But this difference in attitude is also part of what's likeable about Jay, even if he's not your favorite comic. Things are what they are with him; there's no public drama; nothing is worth getting overly worked up about.
His even keel is part of what's made people comfortable with him. (Think about it: he got America to happily accept a show whose signature feature is interviews showing how dumb Americans are.) And it made for a likeably low-key goodbye from the Tonight host—no sobs, no maudlin displays, just a warm thank you for the good times.
To pass the torch, he brought on Conan O'Brien, who kicked off with a little riff on constantly being told he had "big shoes to fill." Just once, he said, "I'd like to have little shoes to fill... I'd like to replace a local weatherman." Conan actually sounded more nostalgic and valedictory than Jay, reminiscing about having been shanghaied onto the Tonight Show in 1993 after he was announced as David Letterman's surprise replacement.
(It's amazing, by the way, how much more composed and off-the-cuff funny Conan is than the nervous kid who went on stage then. Back then, people wondered if he was funny enough to replace Dave; today they wonder if he's too funny to replace Jay.)
Leno only got sentimental toward the end, with a classy goodbye in which he introduced on stage all the children who were born to The Tonight Show over his 17 years. And his last guest was James Taylor—appropriately enough, also an entertainer who was too middle-of-the-road for many of the critics, but whose career never exactly suffered for it. He played "Sweet Baby James," a personal request from Leno, who said it reminds him of when he hit the road for L.A. to start his showbiz career there. The particular line that stuck with him: "Ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go."
We all know Jay Leno likes driving. And apparently he feels he has a few more miles in him.
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1
Thankfully a lot of people (and we all are critics in our own right, right?) do think that Jay is our favorite comic... and Jay DOES have quite a few more miles in him, not because he "apparently" feels so.
Its clear he cares deeply about the show and his work - doesn't mean he has to make a show about his feelings like some "girly men"
pDo people really think that Conan is "too funny to replace Jay"? Haven't heard that sentiment anywhere else...
I think this was a little in poor taste James - criticizing the man upon his final appearance just because you clearly like Letterman better. A more fitting tribute was deserved... it wasn't about comparisons at this point...
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I will miss Leno at his usual time, but, will watch at his new time. He still has a lot of fun and comedy left in him and I think Conan can't begin to fill his shoes. I've never really cared for Conan. His comedy is more on the childish side. Leno has a way about him that can't be copied. Kate
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I hope his final show will be posted on youtube or elsewhere.
If anyone sees it, please post address here. Thanks. -
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Jay Leno is a class act. I hope Conan can measure up, but I won't be watching him to find out. He has a high school silliness that I cannot abide. I look forward to Jay's return in September. I think NBC made a huge mistake shoving Jay out the door from the Tonight Show.
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I've never been THAT into Jay. I always opt for Letterman over Leno (not because I reside on the East Coast, mind you; I just feel a bit more comfortable watching Dave and his genuine humor.) In other words, Letterman doesn't laugh when something is NOT funny whereas...Jay does. He's a little too politically correct for me. Also, I listen to Howard Stern and even if you hate him, Jay HAS blatantly ripped off and implemented certain bits from Howard's show (keep in mind Howard has been broadcasting for a VERY long time...much longer than Jay.) Concerning Conan...I actually prefer his humor to either 11:30 late night host. While I don't think Conan will offer the same silly & risque humor as he did in New York at his later time slot, I still believe he will be more genuine and humorous than Leno was during his 17 year run. I think Conan will do fabulous. Give him a chance at this new time and let him grow on you before judging.....he's a funny & intelligent guy. (He wasn't an SNL writer for a spell or late night host since 93 or 94 for nothing....he brings a persona to late night, which we've been lacking for years.)
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A link to Leno's final show is on the NBC website. Go to nbc.com, then click on Shows, then the Tonight Show - Jay, then full episodes. Right now it's on the NBC homepage, but that'll likely change, of course, in a day or so. As for Conan, I hope all his fans will continue to enjoy and support him. Those of us who don't care for him will be watching something else or reading a good book.
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Conan will be fine but only after a couple of yrs if he keeps the TRPs going reasonably well.
Jay was a class act and he knew his stuff. U dont have to jump and make faces to make ppl laugh. Its just the way u say things that make ppl laugh makes u the ultimate comedian. Conan falls in the former category whilst Jay in the latter. Ofcourse, the worst part is many ppl dont understand this simple theory abt comedy and fall for monkey comedy.
All said, good bye for now Jay...looking f/w for ur show in September!!!
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Looking forward to Jay's show in Sept!!!! Love the fact that he's an absolute class act. His even-keeled nature, keen humor, and refreshing down-to-earth demeanor are such wonderful traits. Watching Jay's final Tonight Show, I found myself actually shedding a few tears. LOVED the way he situated himself in his final moment...lying down in front of the group of Tonight Show children who indeed ARE a sort of legacy. The loyalty that most of his staff have exhibited through the years is a tribute to Jay's strong and fair work ethic. I make no bones about the fact that I love Jay Leno, and our world is a better world having him in it. Jay still makes me laugh. I will also say that I've had the pleasure of meeting him very briefly a couple of times, and it's true, he has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen - a blue tranquil lake meets the Mediterranean Sea. Long Live Leno!! Jay Leno Rocks, and all I can add is..KEEP ROCKIN' JAY!!! You're FANTASTIC.
To James Poniewozik: Comparisons weren't necessary in your article...yes, many of us know that Letterman's terrific, too. However, last night wasn't Letterman's farewell performance on a high profile show. Your article didn't need to feel like a competition. It would've been great to have read an article in which you took the high ground, simply citing all the good things about Jay Leno's final Tonight Show performance. It would've been great to read a tribute to a great man ... now, that would've been an uplifting article.
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I am showing my age, but could we please have Johnny back. Now there was a fine Tonight Show to watch between you toes. Yep, lying in bed after the news. How I still miss him. Peace be with you, Mr. Carson
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I loved Carson, I loved the witty and literate Dick Cavatt, and I love Leno. All are different, but the adult (and I just mean 'mature') level of comedy is/was much appreciated. Conan is slapstick and childish - I doubt I will watch his show many times. Letterman may get my time now. I'm looking forward to Leno's new show, but I will miss him in in former time slot.
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I must be the only person in the world who likes both Jay and Conan. Sure, they have different styles of comedy, but I have an open sense of humor. I always thought Jay mastered his monologues. Sure, you could tell he read the first part of the joke off of cue-cards, but his punchlines seemed genuine and natural whereas Jimmy Fallon and I even think Letterman seem to just read even the punchline. Jay seems like a very down-to-Earth, likable guy and I think the world of him. Conan is also very funny, in my opinion. He has this absurdist way about him that I find hilarious. His off the cuff remarks are hysterical and I find him the best interviewer in the business. I don't think I've ever laughed harder than when he did his 1890's baseball sketch. As much as I like the both of them, I wish NBC would have left well enough alone. They should have kept things the way they were. Jimmy Fallon, nice guy, but the writing on his show is horrible. But thanks to Fallon, I have now discovered the brilliance of Craig Ferguson.
I guess what I'm really trying to say is God Bless Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien.
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The last taping of the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' had a huge buildup to it & in my opinion, it delivered & more. The 'legacy ending' with 68 children & their parents on stage was befitting of a finale, ending an illustrious 17 year old career as host of the show. I liked the way Jay paved way for Conan & called out to his viewers to support Conan like they did him.
It was always great fun to watch Jay deliver his monologues or Kevin cracking wise jokes at him or Jay making fun of Bush or imitating Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Looking forward to the "Jay Leno Show"
Thank you Jay for all the memorable times & heres wishing you luck for your new show !!
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Didn't care much for Leno. Love Conan. LOVED Johnny. LOVE Letterman!
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webyourstuff go to HULU.com
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[...] Leno to America: Goodbye! I’m Not Going Anywhere! “We’re not really leaving,” Jay Leno told the studio audience on his last Tonight Show. And he was [...] [...]
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Wow so many people worried that Conan cant fill Leno's shoes... I think those people are in for a surprise, Ive been recording Conan's shows for years and still think he's the best interviewer out there and a very smart and funny person. I watched a lot of Leno to but have always preferred Conan.
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18
No its like, and I hate to make this reference, the college guy, van wilder, that just wont graduate and leave. His daddy keeps paying the bills for his overextended stay, "cough" NBC "cough". There is a new guy who is taking the reigns but Leno didnt want to leave. "tear". Look O'Brien isnt Leno. But Leno was no Carson. So let it go NBC and move on and stop try to resurrect reality shows or cloned tonight shows.
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i think it ll take lots of time to learn america also i think u need to see other countries
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