Jay Leno Returns to 'The Tonight Show' Saying, 'It's Good to Be Home'

By Bryan Alexander Posted Mar 2nd 2010 01:41AM

In a monologue that avoided the pointed barbs of January's epic late night showdown, Jay Leno returned to "The Tonight Show" stage Monday night repeating the phrase, "It's good to be home."

"I'm Jay Leno, your host ... at least for a while," he continued, alluding to the battle for the coveted NBC time slot with short-lived tenant Conan O'Brien.

"I've got to admit that I'm a little nervous," said Leno, "not because it's my first night back. Because I know that Dave and Oprah are watching."

Leno then went back to business as usual in the monologue, lampooning everything from the Olympics, Russians, Dick Cheney's heart problems, the Toyota recall and Tiger Woods. Leno then dramatically unveiled the new desk he'll sit at during his tenure as host.

Joining Leno for his first show back was Olympic alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, Jamie Foxx and Brad Paisley.

Leno even mocked his return with an opening skit paying tribute to 'The Wizard of Oz.' Leno was featured being awakened by longtime sidekick Kevin Eubanks and former intern Ross Mathews as he murmured, "There's no place like home" with a cloth on his head.

"I did leave, I went away to the strangest place," Leno said. "Some of it wasn't so nice."

Betty White then brought him back to reality.

"Whoa, NBC really did cut your budget," White said. "I cannot believe you're doing your show from here."

It was all a bad dream Jay.

Comments

(286)

Tuesday 02 March

By RNR

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I think it's a bad dream that they brought him back.

By imoss

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great opening

By Peggy

we are happy to see you back. Wasn't the same without you. JAY you are it.

By johnfuen

With all due respect to Conan, I love that Leno is back at 11:30.
I tried watching a few Conan shows at 11:30 p.m and I just couldn't take much more than 5 minutes of his show. Sorry but I just didn't find Conan funny just as many of you don't find Leno funny.

By bnw23455

Agree. Never could stand him, and that's not going to change.

By Becki

lol............same here...........I didn't watch.....like who cares.....still a Coco fan.....and I hope he's having a wonderful time in Hawaii!!!!!!

By Bruce

Man,oh man, will the losers of the world ever find enough to criticize???
Not as long as their targets have more than them, I guess.
I haven't read one single forum criticizing my next door neighbor, he REALLY sucks! LOL!
Get a life my good people.

By Joe Papierz Jr

I think it is hilarious that so many people think they should decide for everyone what is good entertainment and what is not. Are you surprised that some people like Leno better than Conan? I guess it is a shock to you that some people like Ice Tea rather than Coffee or Vanilla Ice cream over Chocolate.

By exualmet

I couldn't agree more. He's not funny, and he has a large head. I sincerely hope he fails..

By shule

As bad as Leno is Conan is 10x's worse the only thing funny about Conan was his hair. The man had not talent, it was a tedious chore sitting though more than 2 minutes of his show. Another person who has no talent is Howard Stern with his prepubescent humor, if you have the maturity level of a 5th grader, like most new yorkers do you think he's funny. The only late nite tv host that is funny is Jimmy Kimmel, he should be doing late night, his Leno impersination was histerical.

By rc

hey. here's what you're missing. nbc put leno back because conan was failing. it was a tough spot to be in, for sure. leno failing at 10 and conan failing afterward. nbc made the best possible choice for themselves, that's what corporations do. they were fortunate that leno would go along with them, otherwise both ships would have soon sank. the upside of this is that you don't have to watch letterman. see? it could always be worse!

By Max the Midget

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Lindsey is one huge chick. Now I know why she uses mens skis, I think she really a man. If not her muff must be the size of St. Louis. She is one BIG and TALL chick or did I notice an Adams apple?

By carolyn

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We will not watch Leno again. He retired! We said goodbye and were looking forward to Coco. Then Leno wanted back and he got his way. No shame Leno?

By King

Yee-ow, what a boring, unfunny show! Ouch! Someone stick a fork in Jay Yoko, he's done. The entire guest list the first two weeks looks bad too; I guess nobody who's anybody wants to be associated with Leno's shennanigans unless they were at the Olympics and feel they have to show up on NBC's Faux Tonight Show.

By cindybroomstick

Obvious, you don't think that Olympians deserve to be on Jay's show. Whether you like sports or not, they won medals not only for their glory but for the United States. Obvious, you don't like the United States either. Well, maybe in several months you might find the "red-headed kangaroo" doing his stupid antics once again on television but one thing he won't have is the reputation of Paar, Carson or Leno. The guy is a fool and NBC is stupid for ever taking Jay off the Tonight Show for Conon O'Brien. Conon needs to grow up. Maybe you do too.

By Lu

I enjoyed last night, It was good to have Jay back. I tried watching the tonight show without Jay and It was not the same.

I am glad things are back as they should be!!

Good luck to Conan!

By Mary Ann

Glad you are back Jay. You have been greatly missed.

By alan

I agree. I wish Conan well but he was just to silly for me.

By travel

I missed the show so much and am so glad Jay is back. I, too, felt Conan was way too silly. And if I never hear another hair joke from him, it will be too soon. And what was that with his always bowing to all of his guests?

Thank God Jay is back.

By Rhett

Great to see you back Jay! The late evening has returned to real entertainment!

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