Since it is Jay’s last week at the Tonight Show I’m going to review all five of his final episodes. A late night host doesn’t leave very often, so this is a pretty significant event. It would be sadder, naturally, if he wasn’t moving down the street to the juicy 10 PM time slot, but hey, leaving after 17 years at the helm of anything is pretty big.

Tuesday’s episode didn’t have the plethora of funny monologue jokes that Monday’s episode had. Here were my favorites:

The economy is so bad that Governor Schwarzenegger had to get a second job narrating Hooked on Phonics CDs.

A new study has found that having a cat makes you 40% less likely to die of a heart attack. Not that the cat could care less either way.

In Germany, a man trying to impress his friends stuck a loaded gun in his pants pocket. It went off severing his sex organ. See, there is something worse than shooting your mouth off.

Speaking of the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger was Leno’s first guest. Leno opened the interview with a segment of clips where he and other guests have impersonated Arnold over the years.

The interview was good. They could have spent the whole segment remembering Arnold’s previous 24 appearances, but they took the second half to discuss current political events as well. I thought Arnold did a nice job answering Leno’s “WTF” questions. He also had the best joke of the night, honestly. He summarized his recent USC commencement address like this: The secrets to success are: come to this country, work like hell, and marry a Kennedy.

Dwight Yoakam was the musical guest. Hey covered part of Green Day’s Time Of Your Life. How funny is that?

I give the show an A-.

Wednesday’s episode did not contain many good monologue jokes either. I guess those writers have already bailed. Here were my two favorites:

During a speech at a high school former President George W Bush said he’s really enjoying the fact that he’s no longer President. Hey, join the club!

The economy is in bad shape. Today I saw Mrs. Fields tossing her cookies.

Wanda Skyes was Jay’s first guest. She’s got a lot going on in her life. She’s a new mother of twins, the whole California Prop 8 thing and the backlash from her jokes at the White House Correspondent’s dinner. She was pretty funny, so I’d say it looks like she’s kicking butt and taking names. Here’s a hilarious excerpt on the media and Michelle Obama:

Dame Edna was the second guest. I had never heard of this person before but apparently she’s been around making people laugh for a long time. I guess I’m a little out of touch. She was absolutely hilarious. I wish I had a clip to share with you.

Sarah McLachlan was the musical guest. She is the entire package, know what I mean? Too bad she didn’t cover a Green Day song too.

I give the show another A-.

- Woody

Well, Jay Leno has left the Tonight Show building after 17 years at the helm.

Thursday’s episode contained a lot of monologue jokes from the Leno I remember back before he became the host of the Tonight Show. They elicited almost as many ooohs as laughs from the crowd. Here’s what I mean:

Here were my favorite monologue jokes:

President Obama flew back to Washington this morning. You can tell even he is feeling the economic pinch. Here he is getting on the plane. [Video of Obama waving to crowd and stepping into plane] Can we pull out? Take a look at the plane, it’s Southwest!

The economy’s so bad porn stars are now doing dinner theater. Nobody’s got any money. Women in Beverly Hills are marrying for love. That’s how bad it is.

The big story here in California is the Supreme Court has decided to uphold the ban on gay marriage. However, gay unions are still legal. See, that shows how little I know about this subject. I didn’t even know gay people s had their own union.

Billy Crystal was the only couch guest. I’ve been a big fan of Crystal since his SNL days. I consider him a member of a very small group of solid comedians and entertainers. He didn’t disappoint tonight, as the interview was basically one long series of jokes. He ended with a musical send-off to Jay. I wish I had a clip to embed. It was very creative.

Prince was the musical guest. I haven’t seen, much less heard, him perform in a long time, but he looked and sounded just as smooth as I remember.

Friday’s show was all about passing the torch. Here were my favorite monologue jokes:

You realize when I started this show my hair was black and the president was white.

I am almost embarrassed to mention this. I was cleaning out my office today. I found OJ’s knife. I had it the whole time.

The economy’s bad. In West Hollywood I saw a gay bar have a ladies night.

Conan O’Brien was the only couch guest. Seeing Conan again reminded me how much I’ve missed him since he left Late Night. Here’s the interview. It’s worth watching:

James Taylor was the musical guest. I’ve always loved Taylor’s voice. I find it warm and comforting.

Jay ended the show thanking everyone and discussing what he hopes is his legacy. It was pretty impressive.

- Woody

Well, Jay Leno is back at the helm of the Tonight Show. Let’s see how he did his first night back. Here were my favorite monologue jokes and bits:

We were off for the last couple of weeks…kinda like the Russians as the Olympics.

Keanu Reeves has signed to star in Speed 3. Remember the original there was a runaway bus. Then the second one was a runaway boat. This latest one will star a Toyota.

The desk segment was Jay’s search for a desk. I actually really enjoyed the segment and think it’s worth watching:

Jamie Foxx was the first couch guest. Between getting the crowd to do the wave and various chants, spraying people with champagne, signing, playing air guitar, telling jokes and pretending to speed skate, he was a complete bundle of energy. It was an entertaining interview.

Lindsey Vonn was the second couch guest. She gave a pretty decent interview and did a nice job holding her own between Jay and Jamie. Plus, she’s really tall.

Braid Paisley was the musical guest. He rocked a Country beat.

A good first show back. I give it:

- Woody