Fallon and Crystal among Leno’s final guests
PASADENA, Calif. — Jay Leno will close out his 22-year run as host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” with a nod to the future and to the past.
His heir apparent, Jimmy Fallon, will kick off Leno’s final week with a guest appearance on Feb. 3. Fallon is taking over the gig after hosting NBC’s “Late Night” since 2009.
Leno’s final night, on Feb. 6, will feature Billy Crystal, who was Leno’s first guest in May 1992 when he succeeded Johnny Carson. Country superstar Garth Brooks will also appear.
Leno’s last week will also include Betty White, Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, country singer Blake Shelton, musician Lyle Lovett and NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.
Leno briefly left the show in 2009. After a few months hosting his own show, Leno returned to “Tonight” in 2010.