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Jay Leno (left) is ending his run on ‘The Tonight Show’ and passing the torch to Jimmy Fallon.
“Tonight Show” host Jay Leno signed off on his 22-year career behind the desk Thursday with a few jokes — and plenty of tears.
In his final monologue before turning the reins over to the younger Jimmy Fallon, Leno, 63, made it clear he’s not happy about giving up the “best job in show business.”
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Billy Crystal sang ‘So Long Farewell’ from the ‘Sound of Music’ on Jay Leno’s final ‘Tonight Show.’
“I don’t like goodbyes. NBC does, I don’t,” Leno joshed as he took the stage in beautiful downtown Burbank. “Well, tonight is our last show for real. I don’t need to get fired three times, I get the hint.”
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Billy Crystal, back when, on Jay Leno’s first ‘Tonight Show’ in Sept. 24, 1992.
But by the end of the program, he turned teary-eyed addressing fans.
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AP Photo/NBC, Chris Haston
Oprah Winfrey performs on Jay Leno’s final ‘Tonight Show.’
“I want to thank you guys. You folks have been just incredibly loyal,” he said, his voice choked with emotion.
“I am the luckiest guy in the world,” he continued. “I got to meet presidents, astronauts, movie stars. It’s just been incredible.”
AP Photo/NBC, Chris Haston
Jack Black sings Jay’s farewell song Thursday.
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The long-chinned comedian was bid farewell by a star-studded final-show lineup that included Oprah Winfrey, Billy Crystal, Kim Kardashian, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow and Jack Black.
AP Photo/NBC, Chris Haston
Legendary comic Carol Burnett, 80, belts it out for Jay Leno’s last hoorah.
Even comic legend Carol Burnett, 80, stopped by not to just give Leno a shout out, but one of her trademark Tarzan yells.
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AP Photo/NBC, Stacie McChesney
Garth Brooks was one of Jay Leno’s final guests.
In a taped message, President Obama quipped he had the perfect job for Leno in his administration.
“Jay, you’ve made a whole lot of jokes about me over the years, but do not worry, I’m not upset,” the president said. “On a totally unrelated note, I’ve decided to make you my new ambassador to Antarctica. Hope you’ve got a warm coat, funny man.”
AP Photo/NBC, Chris Haston
Kim Kardashian shows off her pipes during Jay Leno’s final show.
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Leno began the show by taking a last pot shot at Obama in his swan-song monologue.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
President Obama talking with Jay Leno during commercial break on ‘The Tonight Show’ last summer.
“The worst thing about losing this job: I’m no longer covered by NBC. I have to sign up for ObamaCare,” he wisecracked.
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Seizing on cultural changes he’s witnessed since inheriting the show from Johnny Carson in 1992, Leno said, “When I started hosting, Justin Bieber wasn’t even born yet. That’s why we call those the good old days.”
Crystal estimated that Leno had told 160,000 jokes, while going through three band leaders during his tenure.
“You were America’s nightlight. You helped us through good times and bad,” said Crystal, who sang “So Long Farewell” from the “Sound of Music.”
A host of other stars, including Matt Damon — Tyler Perry, Kevin Bacon, Mark Wahlberg, Charlie Sheen and Martha Stewart — also sent recorded goodbyes.
In a taped message, Fallon, who begins hosting the “Tonight Show” from New York on Feb. 17, told Leno, “If a big story every breaks and you have your head full of jokes, you can always come home to the Tonight Show.”
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