Leno Announces Final Guest Lineup

Jay Leno’s time as the host of The Tonight Show is quickly coming to an end and the comedian has announced the final guests scheduled to sit across from him on the famous set.  The show will be turned over to fellow late-night talk show host, Conan O’Brien on June 1, 2009.

Here is the lineup:

• Monday, May 25: Mel Gibson (21st appearance)
• Tuesday, May 26: Arnold Schwarzenegger (he announced he was running for governor on the show back in 2003)
• Wednesday, May 27: Comedian Wanda Sykes (25th appearance)
• Thursday, May 28: Billy Crystal (Leno’s first guest ever)
• Friday, May 29: Conan O’Brien

Musical guests include Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, Sarah McLachlan, Prince and James Taylor.

There will also be video packages honoring 17 years of moments, gaffes and laughs on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” that will be shown throughout the week (don’t miss it!).  The show made history in March 2009 when President Barack Obama became the only late-night appearance by a sitting President.

I will admit that I watched Conan’s show a lot more than Leno but it’s still sad to see this show passed from one host to the next once again (I remember crying when Johnny Carson retired).   Good luck, Jay, and thanks for the laughs!

NBC photo: Paul Drinkwater