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.
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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?”
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2. The unplugged show (June 21, 2001)
With California in the midst of an energy crisis, Jay did his entire show with candlelight and flashlights.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.