TV

Jay Leno’s 6 greatest moments

As we prepare to say goodbye to Jay Leno, let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable moments of his long career.

  1. 1. The Hugh Grant moment (July 10, 1995)

    Jay was trailing David Letterman in the late-night ratings race until Hugh Grant, who’d been arrested for lewd conduct the month before, paid a visit to “Tonight.” Six words from Leno to Grant, who was dating supermodel Liz Hurley at the time, turned it all around: “What the hell were you thinking?”

  2. 2. The unplugged show (June 21, 2001)

    Burning Candles in Menorah

    With California in the midst of an energy crisis, Jay did his entire show with candlelight and flashlights.

  3. 3. The Katie Couric swap (May 12, 2003)

    Jay and Katie Couric traded places. He hosted NBC’s “Today” show and she hosted “The Tonight Show” — the only time anyone guest-hosted for Jay.

  4. 4. The Colin Farrell stalker (July 20, 2006)

    Jay’s interview with actor Colin Farrell was interrupted, on air, by Dessarae Bradford, Farrell’s known stalker.

  5. 5. The President Obama visit (March 19, 2009)

    Less than two months into his first term, President Obama paid Jay a visit and became the first sitting president to appear on a late-night talk show.

  6. 6. The big comeback (March 1, 2010)

    After NBC aborted its failed Conan O’Brien experiment, Jay returned to hosting “The Tonight Show.” Jamie Foxx and Lindsey Vonn were his first guests.