Jay Leno’s final Friday Tonight Show delivers highest rating in 15 months

Jay Leno’s final Friday Tonight Show delivered its highest overnight rating in 15 months on Friday night, while Late Night With Jimmy Fallon generated its biggest metered-market household rating in nearly four years.

Jay Leno earned a 3.9 rating/9 share in the 56 metered-market households, the late-night talk show’s top results since Wednesday October 24, 2012, when President Barack Obama guested (4.0/10). It was the actually the highest Friday Tonight Show With Jay Leno rating since July 27, 2012, the night of the London Olympics Opening Ceremony (4.0/13).

Jimmy Fallon received a 2.2/7 in households on Friday, his highest rating in the markets metered by Nielsen since Friday, February 12, 2010, the night of the Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremony (2.5/9).

Jay Leno welcomed animal expert Dave Salmoni and his lions on Friday night

Tim Allen, animal expert Dave Salmoni and musical guest Sara Bareilles were Jay Leno’s guests Friday night. As for Jimmy Fallon, he welcomed David Beckham, David Steinberg and musical guest Busta Rhymes with his house band The Roots.

Jay Leno’s final Tonight Show will air Thursday, February 6, with special guest Billy Crystal.

Billy Crystal was the very first Tonight Show guest 22 years ago when Jay Leno took over.

Jimmy Fallon’s final Late Night will be the following evening, Friday, February 7, when he will take a bow with pal Andy Samberg and the Muppets.

Jimmy Fallon takes over The Tonight Show on February 17, when his guests will be Will Smith and U2.

Seth Meyers takes over Late Night the following week, debuting with guest Amy Poehler.

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