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O'Brien thrilled about new Leno show

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Conan O'Brien and his wife, Liza Powel, arrive at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Center in Los Angeles on September 21, 2008. (UPI Photo/Scott Harms) 
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Published: Dec. 10, 2008 at 9:41 AM

NEW YORK, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. television personality Conan O'Brien says he is thrilled Jay Leno has agreed to stay with NBC after O'Brien takes his place as host of "The Tonight Show."

O'Brien made a deal with the network to take over as host of the late-night talk show next June before Leno was ready to retire.

NBC announced Tuesday that Leno would be starting up a new prime-time comedy/talk show on the network next fall.

Speaking on his own "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" show Tuesday night, O'Brien said: "I've had many people calling me today saying: 'What is all this? What's happening?'

"Jay Leno is going to be going in at 10 on NBC," he explained. "I've known about this for a while. I've talked a lot about this with Jay. I am thrilled. I am absolutely thrilled that Jay is staying at NBC. He has been my lead-in on this program for 16 seasons. He is a fantastic lead-in. He is a huge part of my success. I am indebted to Jay Leno. And I love the idea that that relationship is going to continue. He is going to be my lead-in continuing, I hope, for a long, long time. So congratulations to Jay Leno. This is a happy ending. ... Also, I've talked it over with my producer, and that means I can keep doing my Jay Leno impression."

Topics: Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno
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