Conan Says Goodbye to 'Tonight'

Conan O'Brien bid farewell to The Tonight Show on Friday.

O'Brien thanked NBC for boosting his career and said the network "has been my home for most of my adult life." He called his stint on The Tonight Show "the best job in the world."

Friday's guest list featured some of the entertainment industry's elite. Guests included Tom Hanks, Will Ferrell and rocker Neil Young. Steve Carell held a final interview with O'Brien, during which he shredded his NBC ID card. O'Brien ended the show by singing Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" with Ferrell.

O'Brien sat in The Tonight Show's chair since June when Jay Leno, after 17 years as the show's host, left for his own show. Ratings for both programs were below expectations.

After weeks of on-air sniping, NBC gave The Tonight Show back to Leno and offered O'Brien a $45 million exit deal. NBC also agreed to release O'Brien from his contract in September.