Jay Leno's Final (But Not Really) Show: Highlights [Jay Leno]

The big-chinned guy - not the toothy one - had his last episode last night on NBC. Leno's coming back, so it wasn't that emotional, but not on this stage, which is why, to TV people, this was important.

Most notable was the clip of a jittery Conan O'Brien - who was Leno's final guest on the show - coming out on NBC for the first time in 1993, when they announced that O'Brien would have his own show. Watch as Jay Leno screw with "the kid" way back in the day.



Another bad Jay Leno one-liner for the road, to remember him by:



And of course, the children, for sentimental effect: after naming a few staffers who've hooked up over the years from jobs on The Tonight Show, Leno's grand finale was busting out the children of all the staffers who've been born during his tenure on the show. It was sweet, cute, and kind of inspired. Credit where credit's due: to not be a grandstanding, pompous asshole after years of being a proficient late-night host, might be an accomplishment in it of itself. Or maybe Johnny Carson just set the precedent.



Also worth noting: Billy Crystal (with help from Hairspray remake director Marc Shaiman) doing a hammy musical tribute to Leno Thursday night.



My favorite Tonight Show moment - tough between the "Hugh Grant/prostitute" saga, but Michael Jackson jokes (so old school!) win out: Leno can't tell any because he's a witness in the 2005 Michael Jackson trials, so he brings out a bunch of other comedians to do it for him. Later, a judge cleared him to tell the jokes. Anybody else? You find 'em, throw 'em in the comments, please.