Conan O'Brien Is Scheduled as Leno's Final Guest

The last guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno holds a special honor and that significance won't be lost on him. Conan O'Brien, former host of NBC's post-midnight talk show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, will replace Leno beginning on June 1 and gets the privilege of being the last to sit on Leno's couch.

The New York Daily News reported that Leno is pleased with the decision and said, "I'm glad it's going to be Conan. It couldn't go to a better person. We're friends. It's a peaceful transition of power. There's no bloodshed here."

Leno's final week will feature actor Mel Gibson, comedian Billy Crystal, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and musician Prince. His 17-year stint as host will end on May 29, with O'Brien joining singer James Taylor as the final guests. Leno won't be completely removed from the late night landscape. His new show, scheduled for an earlier 10 p.m. time slot on NBC, will begin airing in the fall.

"There really isn't any comedy on at 10 p.m. Everything is very serious. . . . It is fun to have something a little bit different," Leno said, according to Reuters.