Jay Leno takes his final bow at "The Tonight Show"

Jay Leno brought his 17 years with "The Tonight Show" to an end with his last performance as the host this Friday, the BBC News reported.

A visibly sentimental Leno passed the baton to his successor, Conan O'Brien, who was also his guest that night, and asked the audience to "please give Conan as much support as you've given me throughout the years."

Leno also took the opportunity to make fun of his favorite targets throughout the years to some thunderous applause.

"I want to thank all the people who made it possible," he said. "Michael Jackson, Monica Lewinsky, Bill Clinton. We could not have done this show without them."

His monologue was peppered with his usual gems, such as, "When I started my hair was black, and the President was white."

Leno will now host a variety entertainment show on NBC Primetime, starting this September, while his position as the host of "The Tonight Show" will be taken over by Conan O'Brien.