The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien in 2009

Best idea ever. Just don’t change.

NBC’s “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will retire at the end of his current five-year contract in 2009 and be replaced by “Late Night” host Conan O’Brien, the network said on Monday. O’Brien signed a new contract on Monday that guarantees he will assume the job as host of America’s top-rated late night talk show, “The Tonight Show,” sometime during the 2009 season.

Best idea ever. Just don’t change.

NBC’s “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will retire at the end of his current five-year contract in 2009 and be replaced by “Late Night” host Conan O’Brien, the network said on Monday. O’Brien signed a new contract on Monday that guarantees he will assume the job as host of America’s top-rated late night talk show, “The Tonight Show,” sometime during the 2009 season.