Rapper Nas once said “Everything will eventually come to an end, so try to savor your moments because time flies, don’t it?” Indeed it does. Jay Leno hosted the "Tonight Show" for 22 years. In the short time Conan O’Brien spent as the host being the only exception, Leno had seen his fair share of ups and downs, be it trouble with the network heads over ratings or locking horns with other late night television hosts such as David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel. He has always come out on top. But even the best have to call it quits.
On Thursday Leno signed off for the last time. His signature comedy style was based on going after celebrities and politicians with a family friendly zeal. Some who were the butt if his jokes, came to give hugs and literally sing farewell like Oprah, Carol Burnett, Jack Black, Billy Crystal, Kim Kardashian, Sheryl Crow, and Chris Paul.
Funnyman Jimmy Fallon will take over hosting duties of the "Tonight Show" on February 17th.
"It's fun to kind of be the old guy and sit back here and see where the next generation takes this great institution, and it really is. It's been a great institution for 60 years,” Leno said through a teary eyed- on- camera goodbye. “I'm so glad I got to be a part of it, but it really is time to go, hand it off to the next guy. It really is.”
"And in closing, I want to quote Johnny Carson, who was the greatest guy to ever do this job,” he said, struggling from crying. “'I bid you all a heartfelt goodbye.'"
