• David Letterman devotes Top 10 list to Jay Leno

    By Anna Chan, TODAY

    Updated, April 4, 8:30 a.m. ET: Late-night hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno may have been ratings rivals for many, many years, but on Wednesday, the "Late Show" host paid tribute to his competitor. Earlier in the day, NBC had announced that Jimmy Fallon would be taking over hosting duties for "The Tonight Show" next year, marking the second time that Leno would be stepping down from the late-night program.

    During Wednesday's taping of "Late Show," Letterman showed some sympathy for Leno and also honored him by devoting the Top 10 list to the comedian. 

    A transcript of Wednesday's show released by the network also reveals that Letterman used some of his desk time to share a few words about his fellow late-night host.


    "I've known him 38 years," he said. "I've known Jay Leno for 38 years, thank you. I don’t know what aspect of that you’re applauding, but thank you. ... So now he’s out again, but going out on top. So congratulations to Jay, a job well done. ... But good luck to Jay.  I know he’ll be out on the road, getting it done and taking care of business and congratulations on a nice long run there at the ‘Tonight Show,’ if in fact you’re not coming back.”

    Earlier, during his monologue, Letterman also poked fun at the fact that he once again was not offered the hosting gig at "The Tonight Show": "I got a call from my mom today. She says, ‘Well, David, I see you didn’t get the ‘Tonight Show’ again,’” he joked in reference to losing out on the job to Jay Leno when Johnny Carson retired in 1992.

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  • Jay Leno's 4 landmark segments on 'Tonight Show'

    By Susan Young, TODAY contributor

    Paul Drinkwater / NBC

    "The Tonight Show" became the first late-night show to host a sitting president in 2009 when Barack Obama was Jay Leno's guest.

    There's something to be said about leaving while you're at the top of your game.

    As "The Tonight Show" host Jay Leno prepares to hand the reins of the show to Jimmy Fallon in 2014, the program is sitting at the top of the late-night ratings.

    “We are purposefully making this change when Jay is No. 1, just as Jay replaced Johnny Carson when he was No. 1," said Steve Burke, chief executive officer of NBCUniversal. "Jimmy Fallon is a unique talent and this is his time.  I’m thrilled he will become the sixth host of ‘The Tonight Show’ at exactly the right moment, in conjunction with our coverage of next year's Winter Olympic Games from Sochi, Russia.”


    Burke said Leno’s 22-year reign “is a testament to his work ethic and dedication to his viewers and to NBC.” That, of course, includes the many good laughs and fine times the comedian has delivered on "Tonight Show" over the years.

    Here are Leno's top four ongoing segments and memorable moments: 

    'Headlines'
    Few things were funnier each night than his look at faux pas in the newspapers across the country. Wedding announcements that celebrate nuptials such as the "Bunn-Fullilove" union? Yes, please!

    'Jaywalking'
    Leno loved taking to the streets and stumping the common folk with difficult questions about common phrases. A bird in the hand is worth how much? Hint: Not a million.

     

    Saving careers
    Leno and "The Tonight Show" were struggling a bit in the ratings after he took over in May 1992, but the comedian not only revived his own late-night talk-show gig in 1995, but saved then-fumbling British actor Hugh Grant's career in the process. On July 10, the actor came on the show less than two weeks after getting caught with a prostitute. Leno jumped in with the now famous question, “What the hell were you thinking?” It marked the first time that Leno beat David Letterman's "Late Show" in the ratings.

    Presidential moment
    "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" made history in 2009 when it became the first late-night talk show to host a sitting president. Leno welcomed Barack Obama on March 19, when the president chatted about his economic plan. 

    Did we miss your favorite "Tonight Show With Jay Leno" moment? Tell us what it is on our Facebook page!

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  • Olivia Wilde reads her hate tweets from Justin Bieber fans

    By Rebecca Macatee, E! Online

    If you insult Justin Bieber, you better believe his Beliebers will be after you! Olivia Wilde learned that the hard way when she tweeted that the 19-year-old pop star needed to "put a f---ing shirt on." Well, on Tuesday, Jason Sudeikis' fiance talked about her feud with the Biebs -- and the backlash from his fans! -- on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

    "This started because Justin Bieber went out without his shirt on...and he was in London, and it's so cold there and I was concerned," she said. "I have a 19-year-old brother in London, and it's freezing! And if I saw him without a shirt, I would tell him to put it on. So I told Justin Bieber, 'Put your f--king shirt on.'"

    Let's be nice to the Biebs. He's had a rough month so far!

    "I said it with love!" the "Incredible Burt Wonderstone" star said with a smirk. She then quipped that "people misunderstood and thought it was mean-spirited. They didn't understand it was said with love!"


    The 29-year-old actress "got a lot of interesting feedback from (Justin's) fans." Joking that she heard from "about 35 million (people)," Olivia read aloud some tweets directed toward her.

    Justin's hamster Pac dies

    "One of them was, 'Are you a lesbian, or are you too old?' And it's great -- because it's a question I'd never asked myself before," she deadpanned. "And I was wondering, am I too old to be a lesbian?"

    Another fan told Olivia to "Put your shirt over your mouth," which she plans to use as a "Shakespearean insult" later on.

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  • Charlie Sheen: Lance Armstrong is kind of a d*!$#@

    By Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter

    Donna Ward / Getty Images

    Charlie Sheen.

    Charlie Sheen isn't a fan of Lance Armstrong.

    "He's kind of a douche," the "Anger Management" star told Jay Leno on Wednesday's "The Tonight Show." "Wow, I didn't just say that, did I? ... That's based on meeting him."

    PHOTOS: A Winning Day With Charlie Sheen on the Set of 'Anger Management'

    Sheen recalled his first encounter years ago with the now-disgraced cyclist, who, after years of denials, recently admitted in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that he used banned substances and blood doping to win seven Tour de France titles. Sheen said he introduced himself to Armstrong, who pretty much dismissed the actor.

    "He said, 'That's nice,'" Sheen said. In an aside to Leno, Sheen pretended to address Armstrong: "Sorry to bother you, Captain Bitchin'. Go get a paper route, dude."

    Leno added that Armstrong is getting more heat than he might have not just because he "cheated, but the fact that he ruined the lives of people" who called him out. Sheen -- who himself is no stranger to scandal -- agreed.


    "If he was a better guy ... in his life, he'd be forgiven a lot faster and a lot easier -- kinda like me," he said to audience applause.

    PHOTOS: Charlie Sheen's Wacky Twit Pics

    Sheen also weighed in on the rumor that he recently gave $100,000 to troubled star Lindsay Lohan. After joking that was "just for dinner," he revealed that it had to do with their appearances in the upcoming "Scary Movie 5." He said that when Lohan signed on for the movie, she was supposed to be given half of Sheen's salary but was shorted.

    "They took half of my money to give to her, and she didn't get it all," he said. "So when I found this out, I said, 'You got shorted a hundred grand.' So I gave it to her."

    He added of Lohan: "She's going through some stuff, but she's smart and super talented, and I think she will come out on top."

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  • Megan Fox on pregnancy: I thought I was 'birthing a vampire baby'

    NBC

    Megan Fox.

    By Peter Gicas, E! Online

    Megan Fox can totally relate to Bella Swan. Kinda, sorta. While appearing on Monday's "Tonight Show," the new mom chatted about what it was like to be pregnant with son Noah, who was born on Sept. 7.

    "I had pretty bad morning sickness," the 26-year-old actress told Jay Leno while recalling her first trimester.

    Megan Fox gushes over baby Noah

    "It was so bad for me, actually, I was convinced that I was, like, maybe birthing a vampire baby like the one from 'Twilight,'" she added. "You know what happens to Bella, where she's in cold sweats all the time? I felt like that was happening because I had no vitamins and nutrients, and I was just nauseous."

     


    Fortunately for Fox, the rest of of her pregnancy was "perfect."

    A look back at Megan Fox's pregnancy

    Meanwhile, her other baby, the new movie "This Is 40," hits theaters on Friday.

    (E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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  • Hugh Jackman, Jamie Foxx bust a move on 'Tonight Show,' 'Late Show'

    By Courtney Hazlett, TODAY

    Hugh Jackman's "Gangnam Style" meeting with the song's singer PSY went viral in October -- the two were shooting "Wolverine" and "X-Factor" next door to one another -- and on Thursday's "Tonight Show," Jackman (now promoting "Les Miserables") attempted to share the love with host Jay Leno, offering up a tutorial in the viral dance moves. 

    Spoiler: one of the men is much better at going "Gangnam" than the other.

    But Jackman wasn't the only guy busting some moves on late night television Thursday. Jamie Foxx, appearing on the "Late Show with David Letterman," recalled Wednesday's "121212: The Concert for Sandy Relief," and his respect for "seasoned" -- not older -- rock legends The Rolling Stones.

    Specifically, Foxx was very taken with some of Mick Jagger's dancing. Demonstrating them himself, Foxx said, "I love how he'll come to you and leave," Foxx said of one of Jagger's signature moves.

    "Well sure, you don't want him to stay exactly -- I mean you kinda do, but you don't really," Letterman responded.

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  • Lindsay Lohan talks cancelling on Barbara Walters, adopting Honey Boo Boo

    NBC

    Lindsay Lohan.

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    Lindsay Lohan says that, "When it's right," Barbara Walters will be the first person she sits down with.  Of course, she said this during a sit-down with Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show."

    But, whatever.

    Lindsay sounds off on half-sister revelation, "moving forward"

    "It's all good," Lohan insisted. "I spoke to the people that she works with and everything, so..."

    Memo to Jay: End of subject.

    "I feel like that's the question every time I come here, it's always the same!" she said in response to Leno's comment that he always seemed to be reading a new Lindsay Lohan story every day.

    Unless she's No. 1, it appears Lindsay didn't make the cut for Barbara's "Most Fascinating People of 2012" list

    "That's why we have you here all the time," he cracked.

    Asked about Michael Lohan's recent bombshell -- that Lindsay has a half-sister -- the actress said she had some advice for the girl, who she's never met: "Good luck with my dad."

    Then Leno held up a series of increasingly fake-looking tabloid covers boasting headlines about Lindsay being pregnant, Tim Tebow "losing it" to Lindsay and, finally, Lindsay looking to adopt Honey Boo Boo.

    "All my friends always talk about Honey Boo Boo, and I've never actually seen the show," she said, giggling. "I just know what I heart, but that is just so funny! What is that picture from?!"


    "Well, that was when you were going to adopt her," Leno explained.

    "Oh, that's true, that's right. I forgot about the adoption, too," she said, hand to her head.

    And, for the record, she found it "kind of interesting" to see what she would look like with a baby bump and has never met Tim Tebow.

    James Franco directs Lindsay in R.E.M. "Blue" video

    Lohan said that she, for one, "never" regrets getting into showbiz at the age of 3.

    "I think that there was a point in my life when -- it was more recent than earlier on -- but I'm kind of still a kid, like, in a way. I'm 26," she said when Leno asked if she ever had a time when she wished to take a break from acting.

    "I think I had to step back and kind of take myself out of everything and kind of get my head straight and kind of focus on what it is I wanted to do...You know, you get caught up in everything. It's important to kind of find yourself and keep yourself through that."

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  • Jennifer Lawrence blames Honey Boo Boo for her car accident

    NBC

    Jennifer Lawrence.

    By The Hollywood Reporter

    Jennifer Lawrence says she was so excited about the thought of seeing Honey Boo Boo that she got into a car accident.

    The actress, who next stars in "Silver Linings Playbook," said on Monday's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" that she driving home from work one day while shooting "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" when she passed a parade where she thought she got a glimpse of the 7-year-old TLC reality star and beauty pageant contestant, aka Alana Thompson.

    VIDEO: 'The Hunger Games' Premiere Red Carpet Interviews

    "It was a breast cancer parade, and people were wearing (sashes) that said 'boobs,' but I thought it was saying 'Boo Boo,' and so I said, 'Whoa, does that mean Honey Boo Boo?'" she told Leno. "So I started craning my neck and I saw a little girl and I was like, 'That's Honey Boo Boo.'"


    Lawrence said she was still driving at the time and ended up rear-ending the car in front of her.

    "I had to get out of the car and explain what happened," she said. "I was like, 'I'm sorry that I hit your family. I thought I saw Honey Boo Boo.'"

    PHOTOS: 'The Hunger Games' Premiere: Red Carpet Arrivals

    "Silver Linings Playbook," based on the book by Matthew Quick, stars Bradley Cooper as a man recently released from an institution who meets a mysterious woman (Lawrence) with problems of her own. The movie opens Wednesday.

    Watch video of Lawrence's "Tonight Show" appearance below.

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  • Lea Michele: Dog pee wrecked my spray tan

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, TODAY
    Regular tans may not be healthy, but there is at least one advantage to a sun-given bronzing: A dog answering nature's call won't mess it up.

    Paul Drinkwater / NBC

    Lea Michele arrives at "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

    "Glee" star Lea Michele appeared on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" Monday night, and shared a beauty tip: Don't take your newly spray-tanned self near any pooches.


    Seems that the actress received a spray tan (celebrities don't go to a franchise, someone came to her house and set up a tent for the procedure) and later went to work. On her break, she picked up a manager's dog, and when the owner tried to take the dog back, the pup apparently became frightened and pretended the actress was a fire hydrant.

    "Because I didn't wipe off the spray tan yet, it left pee streaks all over my legs," she told Leno. "Like zebra-striped pee marks."

    The star apparently resorted to "baths with lemons" to remove the streaks.

    "That's so much better than going out in the sun for 20 minutes," Leno cracked.

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  • Lindsay Lohan to do 'Tonight Show' interview

    By Jolie Lash , Access Hollywood

    Slideshow: Lindsay Lohan

    Michael Nelson / EPA

    Launch slideshow

    Lindsay Lohan may not be sitting down with Barbara Walters for an interview, but she is headed to the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”

    On Friday evening, NBC revealed that the actress would visit the late night program on Nov. 20.

    Photos from AH: Lindsay Lohan & Grant Bowler In ‘Liz & Dick’

    Also appearing on the show that evening? NBC’s “Meet the Press” host David Gregory and musical guest Wanda Jackson.

    Lindsay’s new Lifetime TV movie, “Liz & Dick,” premieres on the cable network on Nov. 25 at 9 p.m.

    Photos from AH: Lindsay Lohan


    According to Deadline, Lindsay’s new PR reps, Rogers & Cowan, pulled her from the Barbara Walters interview because they were reportedly unhappy with the direction of the piece. 

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  • Jay Leno reveals Bryan Cranston's classic Preparation H ad

    NBC

    Bryan Cranston promotes Preparation H.

    By Ree Hines, TODAY contributor

    Few successful actors start their careers with the perfect part and critical acclaim. No, that typically comes after a lot of hard work and odd boob-tube jobs -- which "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston knows all too well.

    During a Monday night visit to "The Tonight Show," the Emmy-winning actor first claimed he took pride in every role he's ever had. But Jay Leno soon put that to the test.

    "That's the nice thing about this town," Leno began. "You have friends that get jealous, so they call people like me and they say, 'I found something Bryan did a while ago.' "

    Cut to footage of Cranston from the '80s as he praises the "oxygen action" of hemorrhoidal treatment Preparation H.


    Joking and odd jobs aside, Cranston admitted there's one role that no other compares to -- his part as terminally-ill-teacher-turned-dark-meth-mogul Walter White.

    "It is the role of my life," he said. "Walter White -- I will never have a greater role than that."

    Which of Cranston's roles is you favorite? Tell us on our Facebook page!

     

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  • Late night hosts say God and Bill Clinton were the real DNC stars

    Comedy Central

    Stephen Colbert.

    By Craig Berman, NBC News contributor

    The late-night talk show hosts were in agreement Thursday night. The stars of the Democratic National Convention were God and Bill Clinton.

    Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert both had fun with the Democrats flip-flopping on the inclusion of the Lord in their political platform.

    “I have faith in a God who’s not too insecure, who doesn’t freak out if you don’t mention his name enough,” Stewart said.

    He also had fun with the process itself, which saw the Democrats conduct a voice vote approving the change multiple times before they got a result that maybe, sorta-kinda sounded somewhat close to being a two-thirds majority -- if you assumed that many "yes" voters were whispering. Surely the reflection of the results on the teleprompter before the vote took place had nothing to do with that decision. Surely.

    “Tie goes to the prompter,” Stewart said. “On the positive side, we finally have found the evidence of Democratic voter fraud that the Republicans are always complaining about.”

    On the other hand, Colbert noted that, “Party platforms always mention the Lord. For Pete’s sake, the Republican platform is just a picture of Jesus with a thought bubble that says ‘Get ‘Er Done.”

    And the “Colbert Report” host warned, “Folks, he’s very sensitive. Read your Bible, he’s got a hair trigger. And of course the Democrats cannot hide what they’ve done from God, because he googles himself constantly.”

    Clinton gets props

    Jay Leno was more focused on Clinton, raving about his prime-time sales pitch for President Obama.

    “Both conventions are probably over and if you watched, I think it’s clear who should be the next President of the United States -- Bill Clinton,” Leno said.

    “Bill Clinton spent 50 minutes praising Barack Obama’s accomplishments as president. Imagine how long he would have talked if they actually liked each other,” the “Tonight Show” host added.


    He also took some jabs at Republican nominee Mitt Romney’s taxes, commenting on the report that hackers claimed to have Romney’s tax records and threatened to release them unless they were paid off. “This is such an unethical money-making scheme that Mitt Romney said he was quite impressed -- ‘I could use these guys at Bain Capital. See if they’re available.’”

    ‘Letter to Santa Claus’

    Stewart also got serious later in “The Daily Show,” interviewing Austan Goolsbee. The University of Chicago professor and former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors for Barack Obama had strong feelings on the “are you better off now than you were four years ago?” question.

    “That was about the worst 4-5 months in the economic history of the United States,” Goolsbee said. “The thought that people would like to go back to then when we were losing 800,000 jobs a month is a joke.”

    Goolsbee also noted that contrary to what they advertised, the Republican economic plan is vague to the point of irrelevance. “They keep saying it’s a specific plan. It’s not specific at all. The specifics are like ‘Make America better,’ Goolsbee said.

    “It reads like a letter to Santa Claus,” Stewart agreed.

     

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