Jay Leno’s was a monumental task. After all, he took the helm after Johnny Carson retired from hosting the show that has found its way into the hearts and minds of Americans for more than 50 years.
According to recent reports on America Online (AOL), Jay Leno has a surprise in store for viewers as they tune into his final taping. What is not a surprise is the fact that Conan O’Brien, the man who will take over as host of The Tonight Show, will be a guest on Leno’s last show.
Jay Leno has stated that the transition is going smoothly. His departure as host is the fourth for The Tonight Show since its inception. Over the years and through various cultural, economic and political shifts the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) has come to know how to work its way through change.
The Tonight Show’s Historic Rise
The Museum of Broadcast Communications notes that The Tonight Show is America’s first network talk television program. The show first aired in September 1954. Its early hosts were Steve Allen and Ernie Kovacs. Since that time Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and now Jay Leno have hosted the tremendously popular nighttime talk show.
Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show for the longest stretch of time, from 1962 until 1992. He became a welcomed guest, a friend of sorts, in the homes of millions of American television viewers. Who can forget him, Doc Silverstein and Ed McMahon, Johnny’s ever present sidekick?
Major Artists and Political Leaders on The Tonight Show
Over the years a key to The Tonight Show’s success has been its guests. Former president Ronald Reagan appeared on The Tonight Show twice, once on October 2, 1972 when he was the governor of California and again on November 26, 1970. Johnny Carson hosted the show during both of Reagan’s appearances. Bill Clinton appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on July 28, 1988. President Barak Obama was a guest on the show with Jay Leno on March 19, 2009. It was the first time a sitting president appeared on the show.
Other guests on the show have included Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Katie Couric, Jimmy Fallon, Burt Reynolds, Michael Landon, Roseanne Barr, Halle Berry, Diana Ross, Denzel Washington, Robert DeNiro and Nicole Kidman.
Jay Leno’s Performance as The Tonight Show Host
Many people thought that no one could take over as host after Johnny Carson left. More than a few may have delighted in seeing Jay Leno fail when he first began hosting the show. Yet, succeed, Leno did. His first guest when he took over as host on May 25, 1992 was comedian Billy Crystal.
Those days, there was a strong sentiment that David Letterman should have assumed the role as host upon Carson’s departure. Despite a rocky start, Variety reports that during 58-year old Jay Leno’s tenure, The Tonight Show topped the ratings race. Leno maintained the top spot even during the writer’s strike of 2007–2008.
Conan O’Brien Takes Over The Tonight Show
45-year old Conan O’Brien is a writer, comedian and late night talk show host. O’Brien graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in American History. He has written for Saturday Night Live, Not Necessarily The News and The Simpsons. Conan O’Brien currently hosts Late Night With Conan O’Brien.
He was announced as the successor for Jay Leno five years ago in 2004. Viewers have had several years to digest the notion of a new host for The Tonight Show. How well O’Brien will be received remains to be seen. Yet, one fact is clear. The Tonight Show’s long history of success will provide O’Brien excellent leverage upon which to launch out from.
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