MANILA, Philippines - For his last episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jack TV last May 30, Leno brought the most appropriate guest to usher the transition: Conan O’Brien. Leno placed the famous redhead in the guest seat before he passed the torch to O’Brien as the show’s new host.
Leno, who capped 17 years of helming the late night program, invited a power-packed line-up of guests for his last week: Mel Gibson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wanda Sykes and Billy Crystal. They came with musical guests Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, Sarah McLachlan and Prince.
James Taylor, whose music was heard by Leno on the radio when he left Boston to pursue a career in TV, performed on the show.
O’Brien’s pilot show as the new host of Tonight Show will air today at 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. The pilot episode has its running themes — rock, comedy and change — courtesy of Pearl Jam, Will Ferrell and O’Brien himself.
As announced by the band in their official website, Pearl Jam will be the first musical guest for O’Brien’s latest show. Eddie Vedder and his band are set to perform songs from their upcoming studio album. A rock fan, O’Brien ended his stint on Late Night with an electrifying performance by The White Stripes. Fellow Saturday Night Live alumni Ferrell is also bound to grace the stage with his eclectic personality. The show will have a whole new look but will retain its sense of humor.