5/28/2009

in

Conan O'Brien to replace Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show."

Rebecca Hiatt

Legendary comedian Conan O'Brien will be filling the shoes of host Jay Leno on NBC's *Tonight Show*, on Monday night. Leno, who according to the *Boston Herald* has been host of the popular show for 17 years, will finish his last show Friday night, with O'Brien as his last scheduled guest.  
  
The former writer for both *Saturday Night Live* and *The Simpsons* has spent the last five years as heir to the show, and is anxious to begin his new job.  
  
"I feel like a racehorse that was put in the stall five years ago and I feel now, like 'Let's go!'" O'Brien said.  
  
According to Reuters, O'Brien, 46, had already finished his former show, *Late Night with Conan O'Brien*, in February, and has already moved his family from Los Angeles to New York in preparation to take over *The Tonight Show*.  
  
O'Brien's first scheduled guests will include Will Ferrell, Tom Hanks, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ryan Seacrest. He also adds that he intends to "stick with the sketch comedy that made 'Late Night' a hit."  
  
As for Leno, he will be returning to NBC in the fall with *The Jay Leno Show*.  
  
According to the *Boston Herald*, there has been no conflict between the two men and that there are no hard feelings.  
  
"There is no denying the media like conflict. Jay and I have always gotten along pretty well," O'Brien said.