Tonight With Conan
It has been announced that Jay Leno will step down from host as the Tonight Show and pass the torch to Conan O'Brien.
Leno plans to step down from his gig on the Tonight Show in 2009 and pass the torch to O'Brien. Leno said in a statement, "In 2009, I'll be 59 years old and will have had this dream job for 17 years. When I signed my new contract, I felt that the timing was right to plan for my successor and there is no one more qualified than Conan. Plus, I promised [my wife] Mavis I would take her out to dinner before I turned 60."
Monday marks the 50th anniversary of The Tonight Show. Leno took over from host Johnny Carson in 1992. When Leno debuted as host, fans were not exactly receptive. As a matter of fact, NBC reportedly was very close to firing the prominent chin and replacing him with gap-toothed David Letterman. The two originally vied for the position, but it was reported that Letterman declined the replacement offer.
Leno won the hearts of his audience during the 1994-95 season and seized an Emmy for Outstanding Host in a Variety, Music, or Comedy series. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno has won the last nine seasons in late-night ratings. Leno signed a four-year extension contract with NBC worth about $100 million. Leno will hold the distinction of second longest Tonight Show host behind Johnny Carson, who hosted the show for 30 years. Meanwhile, O'Brien signed a new contract with NBC for five more years of hosting Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Conan's alright, but it really is too bad Tony Danza wasn't available to take over for Leno.
Monday marks the 50th anniversary of The Tonight Show. Leno took over from host Johnny Carson in 1992. When Leno debuted as host, fans were not exactly receptive. As a matter of fact, NBC reportedly was very close to firing the prominent chin and replacing him with gap-toothed David Letterman. The two originally vied for the position, but it was reported that Letterman declined the replacement offer.
Leno won the hearts of his audience during the 1994-95 season and seized an Emmy for Outstanding Host in a Variety, Music, or Comedy series. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno has won the last nine seasons in late-night ratings. Leno signed a four-year extension contract with NBC worth about $100 million. Leno will hold the distinction of second longest Tonight Show host behind Johnny Carson, who hosted the show for 30 years. Meanwhile, O'Brien signed a new contract with NBC for five more years of hosting Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Conan's alright, but it really is too bad Tony Danza wasn't available to take over for Leno.
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