In a farewell interview with 60 Minutes, Jay Leno told correspondent Steve Kroft that he would not do another late night talk show.
“I could not recreate what we have,” Leno said.
Leno said he would be interested in working with cable outlets such as the History Channel, although no plans have been announced. Leno’s last night hosting The Tonight Show is Feb. 6, after the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics.
He has hosted the program since 1992, when he replaced Johnny Carson.
NBC forced him out once before to make way for Conan O’Brien’s disastrous talk show four years ago. The Tonight Show is still No. 1 in the ratings and Leno says his successor, Jimmy Fallon, has his blessing.
Fallon begins his tenure in mid-February. The show is moving to New York for the first time in decades.