Leno leaves Tonight Show on May 29

Comedian Jay Leno will make his last appearance on the Tonight Show on May 29, 2009, with Conan O'Brien, his replacement, picking up the reins on Monday, June 1.

Even as they announced his departure date at a Television Critics Association meeting in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Monday, NBC executives said they were looking for ways to keep Leno at the network in another role.

"We're still talking to Jay about staying within NBC Universal," said Marc Graboff, co-chairman of NBC Entertainment.

Leno, 58, has been fronting the U.S. talk show since taking over from Johnny Carson in 1992 and his future has been the subject of speculation since NBC announced four years ago that he would step down during the 2009 season.

Reporters asked about the possibility of Leno being hired by ABC and overshadowing O'Brien and the top-rated Tonight Show.

"We've made our decision. We're happy with it. We're very confident the Tonight Show will remain dominant in its time period," Graboff replied. "We believe there is still room for him to be on the air."

But he acknowledged that if Leno chooses to leave, there is little NBC can do about it.

The network attempted to defuse the issue with humour, seating Leno among reporters, disguised as a bald, bearded reporter armed with questions about himself.

Leno's replacement, O'Brien, 45, hosts NBC's Late Night show, which immediately follows the Tonight Show.

Saturday Night Live veteran Jimmy Fallon has been named O'Brien's successor.