NBC Announces Departure Date for Jay Leno

The Tonight Show host will say goodnight on May 29, 2009.
Jay Leno poses for a picture in the Sunset Room at the Silver Rose Awards and Auction Gala April 27, 2008, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - APRIL 27: Jay Leno poses for a picture in the Sunset Room at the Silver Rose Awards and Auction Gala April 27, 2008, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo By Toby Canham/Getty Images) - Getty Images
Pamela Sitt

To paraphrase Project Runway: In late-night TV, one day you're in, and the next, you're awt. Jay Leno will say "auf Wiedersehen" to The Tonight Show on Friday, May 29, 2009, according to NBC. His replacement, Conan O'Brien, starts June 1.

Leno himself -- albeit disguised by a wig and beard -- turned up at NBC's summer press tour in Beverly Hills to help break the news to TV writers. It was a joke served reheated, as Jimmy Kimmel had pulled a similar prank last week during ABC's summer press tour in response to rumors that ABC will pursue Leno when his contract expires.

In related news: Is Jay Leno pulling a Brett Favre or is Favre pulling a Leno? Discuss.

Meantime, Lorne Michaels announced Sunday that Jimmy Fallon will debut an online version of his talk show this fall before officially taking over Late Night hosting duties from O'Brien next spring.


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