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 toughhombreb

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I thought with the return of Leno to TONIGHT that there would be some improvements. I saw none. He still has the ridiculous Kevin Eubanks and that disastrous vocalist-pan banger gal. For God's sake, with that budget get a real big band in there like the old Carson TONIGHT show Doc Severinsen band. They were real musicians who could play and back up enyone. The set looks dead, like the entrance to a funeral home viewing room. Leno's material isn't much better. Maybe Sarah Palin can save his ratings tonite.

By Ed

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Jay do us all a favor and take a Long Hike

By Celeste

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Glad to have you back Jay. I hear Conan is a nice guy and I tried to watch him quite a few times, even before you two did the switch, but he just is not funny at all. I'm sure he'll be sucessfull at something else.

By Patty

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What was up with Jamie Foxx last night? What drug was he on. So annoying!

By Ryan

Yawn. I'd rather go back to watching olympic curling than watch 5 seconds of Leno...unless it is his last show, then I'll tune in to make sure he truly is gone for good.

By Alwayspissedoff@something

Watched the show and I'm glad Jay is back. Did'nt care for Conan. Jamie Foxx was just too much in your face with all the antics. Did'nt care for him either. Glad some normalcy has return to part of our lives.

By Patricia

Jay,

It is just great to have you back!!! Lots of good luck with the show. Sorry there are so many negative thinkers out there.

By bill

Good to see you back jay, conan you suck!

By Sharon

Glad Jay is back and first show was great except for Jamie Fox going a bit overboard. Craig Ferguson is hilarious but just a bit late for this gal.

By rgl

to all of you haters of jay, why is it that conans viewing numbers never came close to leno's???????

By Keith

Glad you're back Jay. I see there's a bunch of bitter O'Brien supporters here. Focus your scorn on NBC and not the innocent party here - Leno. If the simple facts of the story confuse you that much, just go away. As for Stern, who seriously listens to anything this moron has to say anyway?

By Joe

Didn't watch and will not watch.

By concept59

Who Cares??? If my choice is the chin or the lip; I'll pick neither, not entertaining, and a waste of time... a contest between millionares is not my idea of entertainment, and is there another Palin joke in there somewhere???

By RYAN

Sadly for conan jay is way funnier and a bit classier than he is......conan Im sure is a good guy but the ratings dont lie..........good to see jay back in the saddle again....conan,just go enjoy the millions they used to get you out of the contract.....

By houtlaw1

Yes it's good to have Jay back his 1st show as good as always and he makes his point about be back not Conen as we never watched his show so we don't miss him and his dry humor. iIf he was a child i could understand it if he was a child but a grown man dowing it leaves a lot to be desired. As FOX TV need's him worse than NBC.

Wednesday 03 March

By El Bunto

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Jay has rolled to the liberal side of things, and Conan did not. Want Jay a Patch holder in a Biker gang long ago?

By greywolves2000

I really like Leno and Conan. They should have left things alone to begin with. And as for Jimmy, they should just get rid of him, the only person laughing at his jokes is him.

Monday 08 March

By sharon

Yay! Glad you're back,Jay! Always thought Conan was vain and mean-spirited and the "porno dog" was just disgusting "potty humour." The shows should have been left as they originally had been. Loved the show last night and can't wait to see the incredibly talented Adam Lambert tonight! The last interview was funny and great! Sarah Palin should be a hoot! Love having you back where you belong,Jay! Don't let "the turkeys get you down!
Millions love you and now all is right again!

By nomore

The only people getting high rankings are the one voting for themselves and Leno!
He needs more than a wizard to get people to wcth his show!

By Rich

What do you mean..."We missed jay"? He never went away. The same show just moved to 10 PM. There was no difference and there will be no difference now. You either like him or not. Simple.

The real problem with Conan and Jay was that NBC had 2 Tonight shows, with a break for local news. What were the heads at NBC thinking. They put shows on for the cheep and see what you get.

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