Jay Leno made his final appearance as the host of ‘The Tonight Show,’ with Billy Crystal as the final guest, Garth Brooks as musical guest, celebrity cameos and a tearful, heartfelt goodbye from Leno.
The final goodbye episode marked the end of the Jay Leno era of NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show’ which dates back 60 years, to the mid-1950s and its creator and original host Steve Allen. Thereafter the show saw a long line of comedians who became custodians of the iconic program, one of the longest running in television history. It was from Johnny Carson that Jay Leno inherited the show 22 years ago and it is current ‘Late Night’ host Jimmy Fallon who will take over the show in his departure.
Jay Leno originally relinquished the show back in 2010 with Conan O’Brien taking over for the span of several months. He returned as host under controversial circumstances.
This did not go unmentioned in his final monologue. He began by saying, “I don’t like goodbyes. NBC does. I don’t care.” As the laughter died down, he said again, “I don’t care. I don’t care.” He went on to say, “Well, tonight is the last show for real. I don’t need get fired three times. I get the hint.”
To reiterate how long ago 22 years ago was, he gave a history lesson. He said back then marijuana was illegal and you could smoke cigarettes anywhere you wanted. Guys had to go to the newsstand for porn. And the saddest part? OJ never found the real killers. He also noted that Justin Bieber had not been born; “that’s why we call those the good old days.” And as for himself, one of the worse things about leaving NBC? He would have to sign up for Obamacare.
Billy Crystal not only sat for a final lively interview, but he also staged a “celebrity musical” with a few guests to sing a special rendition of ‘So Long, Farewell’ from ‘The Sound of Music’ with plenty of humorous lyrics for the occasion and, for better or for worse, no lip synching. The performers were, in order of appearance, Jack Black, Kim Kardashian, Chris Paul, Sheryl Crow, Jim Parsons, Carol Burnett and Oprah Winfrey.
There were also video tributes from the likes of Dana Carvey, Charlie Sheen, Matt Damon Steve Carell, Kevin Bacon, and Olivia Wilde. Notably, President Barack Obama congratulated him for becoming Ambassador to Antarctica and Bill Maher pointedly gave a goodbye tribute and, after a pause, a welcome back message.
But as the end of the 90 minutes drew near, it became time to say the last goodbye. “Boy, this is the hard part,” Jay Leno began, fighting back tears. “This has been the greatest 22 years of my life. I really am the luckiest guy in the world.
Reflecting back, he said, “The first year I lost my mom.” His voice full of emotion, he went on to say he lost his father the next year, and then his brother. He said of the ‘Tonight Show’ crew, “These folks here became my family.” He said, “People said, Why don’t you go to ABC? Why don’t you go to Fox? I didn’t know anybody over there. These are all the people I’ve ever known.”
As Jay Leno concluded, he introduced country music legend Garth Brooks who performed his iconic song “Friends in Low Places.” The music closed out the show as the credits rolled for the final time on “The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno.”
Watch highlights video below.
Final Monologue
Billy Crystal Interview
Billy Crystal Interview + Celebrity Musical
Video tributes from celebrities
Jay Leno’s Goodbye and Garth Brooks’ ‘Friends in Low Places’
Pictures: PR Photos
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RightCelebrity/~3/6zEp36CvJFc/
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