Jay Leno will be stepping aside for Conan O’Brien Tonight Show takeover, May 29, 2009, NBC executives announce. Conan will be expected to immediately takeover the Tonight Show June 1. It is still unclear as to what will happen with Jay Leno. He doesn’t want to retire so some are speculating a ABC or CBS late night show. This isn’t making late night show hosts like Jimmy Kimmel or Craig Ferguson.