The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Season 17
Season 17 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Season 16.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 17 Progress Shield
William Shatner; Chelsea Handler; Newton Faulkner
Jun 2, 2008
William Shatner; Chelsea Handler; Newton Faulkner: Performance from the "Hand Built by Robots"; Headlines.
Liv Tyler; Judd Apatow; Usher
Jun 3, 2008
Liv Tyler "The Incredible Hulk"; Judd Apatow "You Don't Mess with the Zohan"; Usher: Performance from the CD "Here I Stand"; The Most Ridiculus 911 Calls Ever Made.
Jeff Foxworthy; Arianna Huffington; N.E.R.D.
Jun 4, 2008
Jeff Foxworthy; Arianna Huffington; N.E.R.D.: Performance from the CD "Seeing Sounds"; Jaywalk: Famous Duos.
Dustin Hoffman; Gordon Ramsay; Flobots
Jun 5, 2008
Dustin Hoffman "Kung Fu Panda"; Gordon Ramsay "Hell's Kitchen"; Flobots: Performance from the CD "Fight With Tools"; Chris Bosh at the NBA Finals.
Will Smith; Pete Sampras; Ed Harcourt
Jun 6, 2008
Will Smith "Hancock" ; Pete Sampras; Ed Harcourt: Performance from the CD "Beautiful Lie". Political Jeopardy.
Russell Brand; Bill Engvall; Aimee Mann
Jun 9, 2008
Russell Brand; Bill Engvall "The Bill Engvall Show"; Aimee Mann: Performance from the CD "@#%&*! Smilers"; Headlines.
Justin Timberlake; Karen Allen; Sheryl Crow
Jun 10, 2008
Justin Timberlake "The Love Guru"; Karen Allen "Indiana Jones"; Sheryl Crow: Performance from the CD "Detours". The Audience Wants To Know.
Dana Carvey; Spencer Breslin; Priscilla Ahn
Jun 11, 2008
Dana Carvey; Spencer Breslin "The Happening"; Priscilla Ahn: Performance from the CD "A Good Day".
Mike Myers; Abigail Breslin; David Cook
Jun 12, 2008
Mike Myers "The Love Guru"; Abigail Breslin "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl"; David Cook: Performance from his debut single "Time of My Life"; Cloning Experience Gone Horribly Wro
Larry the Cable Guy; Bob Costas; Ashanti
Jun 13, 2008
Larry the Cable Guy; Bob Costas; Ashanti: Performance from the CD "The Declaration"; Faither's Day Gift Ideas.
Anne Hathaway; Gabriel Iglesias; Amos Lee
Jun 16, 2008
Anne Hathaway "Get Smart" - Comedian Gabriel Iglesias; Amos Lee: Performance from the CD "Last Days at the Lodge"; Headlines.
Don Rickles; Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson; Jewel
Jun 17, 2008
Don Rickles; Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson; Jewel: Performance from the CD "Perfectly Clear"; Jaywalking.
The Rock; Tom Papa; Against Me!
Jun 18, 2008
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson "Get Smart"; Comedian Tom Papa; Against Me!: Performance from the CD "Stop!"; The Young and Reckless.
Wanda Sykes; James McAvoy; Duffy
Jun 19, 2008
Wanda Sykes; James McAvoy "Wanted"; Duffy: Performance from the CD "Rockferry"; Truth in Labeling.
Bette Midler; Al Roker; Bette Midler
Jun 20, 2008
Bette Midler; Al Roker "Celebrity Family Feud"; Bette Midler: Performance from the CD "Jackpot - The Best Bette"; Pitch to America.
Selma Blair; Kevin Nealon; Steve Tyrell
Jul 7, 2008
Featuring Selma Blair, Kevin Nealon and Steve Tyrell.
Aaron Eckhart; Los Lonely Boys; Dara Torres
Jul 8, 2008
Featuring Aaron Eckhart, Los Lonely Boys and Dara Torres.
Adam Carolla; Kathy Griffin; Wynton Marsalis; Willie Nelson
Jul 10, 2008
Featuring Adam Carolla, Kathy Griffin, Wynton Marsalis and Willie Nelson.
Elizabeth Banks; Michael Caine
Jul 11, 2008
Featuring Elizabeth Banks and Michael Caine.
Will Ferrell; Mary McCormack; James Hunter
Jul 14, 2008
Featuring Will Ferrel, Mary McCormack and James Hunter.
David Duchovny; Reese Hoffa; Jakob Dylan
Jul 15, 2008
Featuring David Duchovny, Reese Hoffa and Jakob Dylan.
John C. Reilly; Venus Williams; Gavin Rossdale
Jul 16, 2008
Featuring John C. Reilly; Venus Williams; Gavin Rossdale
David Spade; Jordana Spiro; Coldplay
Jul 17, 2008
Featuring David Spade, Jordana Spiro and Coldplay.
Tim Allen; Demi Lovato; One Republic
Jul 18, 2008
Featuring Tim Allen, Demi Lovato and One Republic.
Kyra Sedgewick; Chris Matthews; Alanis Morissette
Jul 21, 2008
Featuring Kyra Sedgewick, Chris Matthews and Alanis Morissette.
Gillian Anderson; Dave Attell; The Duke Spirit
Jul 22, 2008
Featuring Gillian Anderson, Dave Attell and The Duke Spirit.
Kevin Costner; D.L. Hughley; The Time
Jul 23, 2008
Featuring Kevin Costner, D.L. Hughley and The Time.
Kelsey Grammer; Hugh Rowland; Drew Sherwood; Gavin Degraw
Jul 24, 2008
Featuring Swing Vote actor Kelsey Grammer, the Ice Road Truckers Hugh Rowland and Drew Sherwood, plus musical act Gavin Degraw.
Kevin Spacey; Triumph the Insult Comic Dog; Jesse McCarthy
Jul 25, 2008
Featuring Kevin Spacey, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and Jesse McCarthy.
Julie Scardina; Brendan Fraser; Gnarls Barkley
Jul 28, 2008
Featuring Julie Scardina, Brendan Fraser and Gnarls Barkley.
Seth Rogen; Joan Allen; Third Day
Jul 29, 2008
Featuring Seth Rogen, Joan Allen and Third Day.
Rainn Wilson; Emeril Lagasse; Sergio Mendes Ft. Ledisi
Jul 30, 2008
Featuring Rainn Wilson, Emeril Lagasse and Sergio Mendes featuring Ledisi.
Scarlett Johansson; Luke Ford; Chris Cornell
Aug 8, 2008
Featuring Scarlett Johansson, Luke Ford and Chris Cornell.
John McCain; Dara Torres; Juliana Hatfield
Aug 25, 2008
Featuring Senator John McCain, Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres and Juliana Hatfield.
Norm MacDonald; Gordon Ramsay; B.B. King
Aug 26, 2008
Featuring Norm MacDonald, Gordon Ramsay and B.B. King.
Heidi Klum, Robert Pattinson, Seal
Nov 26, 2008
Heidi Klum, Robert Pattinson, Seal is an episode from the talk show The Tonight Show with Jay Leno which aired on November 26th, 2008.
Kathy Griffin, David Frost, Colbie Caillat
Dec 2, 2008
Featuring Kathy Griffin, Sir David Frost and Colbie Caillat
Kate Beckinsale, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Dec 9, 2008
Kate Beckinsale; Sean "Diddy" Combs; Musical guest: Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Wanda Sykes, Michael Phelps, Lyle Lovett
Dec 10, 2008
Kate Beckinsale; Sean "Diddy" Combs; Musical guest: Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Charlize Theron; Matt Lucas & David Walliams
Sep 22, 2008
Charlize Theron; Matt Lucas & David Walliams; My Morning Jacket; Headlines.
Anderson Cooper; Steve Byrne; Sarah McLachlan
Nov 13, 2008
Anderson Cooper; Comic Steve Byrne; Sarah McLachlan: Performance from the CD "Rarities, B-Sides 2 And Other Stuff, Volume 2"; The Audience Wants to Know.
Miley Cyrus; Jason Statham; David Cook
Nov 14, 2008
Miley Cyrus ("Bolt"); Jason Statham "Transporter 3"; David Cook: Performance from the CD "David Cook;" Pitch to America.
Larry the Cable Guy, Chris Matthews, Adele
Nov 18, 2008
Featuring Senator John McCain, Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres and Juliana Hatfield.
Bill Maher, Kristin Chenoweth, Nickelback
Nov 19, 2008
Featuring Norm MacDonald, Gordon Ramsay and B.B. King.
Jay Mohr, Marjorie Johnson, Scott Weiland
Nov 21, 2008
Jay Mohr "Gary Unmarried"; Blue Ribbon Baker Marjorie Johnson; Scott Weiland: Performance from the CD "Happy in Galoshes."
Charlie Sheen, Arianna Huffington, Lisa Hannigan
Feb 18, 2009
Hugh Jackman "Australia"; Jack Black & Kyle Gass; Tenacious D: Performance from the DVD "The Complete Master Works 2;" Jaywalking.
Seth Rogen, Guy Fieri, Chris Cornell
Mar 20, 2009
Seth Rogen "Monsters VS. Aliens"; Chef Guy Fieri; Chris Cornell: Performance from the CD "Scream"
Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, John Cena, Playing For Change
Mar 23, 2009
Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest "American Idol"; Pro Wrestler John Cena "12 Rounds"; Playing For Change: Performance from the CD "Songs Around The World;" Headlines.
Condoleezza Rice, Bill Hader, PJ Harvey & John Parish
Mar 24, 2009
Condoleezza Rice; Bill Hader "Adventureland"; PJ Harvey & John Parish: Performance from the CD "A Woman, A Man, Walked By;" Photo Booth.
Halle Berry, Frank Caliendo, Prince
Mar 25, 2009
Halle Berry; Frank Caliendo; Prince: Performance from the 3-disc set "LOtUSFLOW3R, MPLSoUND, and Elixer;" Name that Sound.
Paul Giamatti, Emma Roberts, Prince
Mar 26, 2009
Paul Giamatti "Duplicity"; Emma Roberts "Lymelife"; Prince: Performance from the 3-disc set "LOtUSFLOW3R, MPLSoUND, and Elixer;" Does this Impress Ed Asner?
Dana Carvey, Billy Mays, Prince
Mar 27, 2009
Dana Carvey; Bill Mays "Pitchmen"; Prince: The Mercedes-Benz Outdoor Concert Series, All New Concerts! Performance from his 3-disc set "LOtUSFLOW3R, MPLSoUND,Elixer"
Amy Poehler, Paul Walker, Fall Out Boy
Mar 31, 2009
Amy Poehler "Parks & Recreation"; Lou Ferrigno "I Love You, Man"; Fall Out Boy: Performance from the CD "Folie à Deux;" The Audience Wants to Know.
Michael Caine, Dennis Rodman, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer
Apr 1, 2009
Michael Caine "Is There Anybody There?"; Dennis Rodman "Celebrity Apprentice"; Christopher Guest Michael McKean & Harry Shearer (Spinal Tap): Performance from the CD "No Album Song
Ben Affleck, Taylor Swift
Apr 2, 2009
Ben Affleck "State Of Play"; Taylor Swift: Interview and performance from the CD "Fearless"; American Idol Cast-Off Megan Joy; Jaywalking.
Miley Cyrus, Tom Lennon
Apr 3, 2009
Miley Cyrus "Hannah Montana: The Movie"; Tom Lennon "17 Again"; Miley Cyrus: Performance from the Soundtrack "Hannah Montana The Movie;" Ross the Intern at the 'America's Top Model
Andy Samberg, "American Idol" winner Kris Allen, Lionel Richie
May 21, 2009
Charlie Sheen "Two And A Half Men"; Arianna Huffington; Lisa Hannigan; Steve Schirripa, the Judgmental Bastard.