Legendary US talk show host Jay Leno ended his 17-year-long stint as the frontman of 'The Tonight Show' not with a surprise guest or his comedy gigs but by welcoming 68 kids born to his staff during his run on the programme.
Leno boasted that the kids were his legacy and said that when they asked their parents where they met, they'd say, "They met on the stage of The Tonight Show," The New York Times reported.
The funnyman's last show began with a standing ovation by the studio audience that lasted almost two minutes, which made him quip, "When I started this show, my hair was black and the President was white."
Leno first saluted trombone player Matt Fenders' teenage daughter Hannah, who was born just weeks after he started shooting for the show and held back tears as he
introduced the other 67 children.
In his trademark style, Leno thanked Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, George W Bush and Michael Jackson for giving him so much material for the show. He also introduced his successor, Conan O'Brien, his final couch guest, saying, "I couldn't be prouder of him," and called him "a terrific guy and a good friend." James Taylor performed the departing host's favourite tune, 'Sweet Baby James'.
