Jay Leno departs ‘Tonight’

BURBANK, Calif. -- Jay Leno's final "Tonight Show" opened with a standing ovation from the audience and a monologue targeting politicians and other favorite targets. Leno, taping his late NBC late-night show yesterday, was greeted by a cheering audience and then launched into the opening jokes. He thanked all the people who made the last 17 years possible -- Michael Jackson, Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton.

Leno is leaving "Tonight" but not NBC: He returns in the fall with a daily prime-time show. Conan O'Brien takes over "Tonight" on Monday.

Leno posted an impressive 17 years as "Tonight" host, but well short of Johnny 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 shows, Leno strikes an unsentimental tone.

"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.

On Thursday's show, Billy Crystal, Leno's first "Tonight" guest 17 years ago, returned to salute him with a musical medley akin to Crystal's Oscar ceremony opening numbers.

"Mustangs and Mazdas and shiny Mercedes, Model T Fords that he steals from old ladies," sang Crystal, to the tune of "My Favorite Things."

Leno declined to give advice to O'Brien.

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

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 said.