Jay Leno Released from Hospital After Overnight Stay

As Los Angeles Daily News staff writers Richard Huff (New York) and Nancy Dillon (Los Angeles) write Jay Leno's spokesperson Tracy St. Pierre advised on April 23rd, 2009 that Jay Leno had checked himself into a hospital with a "mystery illness." This was the first time that Leno, 58, has ever missed a taping of his show.

In their article "Jay Leno cancels "Tonight Show" taping; in hospital with mystery illness" Huff and Dillon discuss what the various comments of the "insiders" are starting with St. Pierre who reacted violently when the comment of a possibility of a heart attack came up saying "No! My gosh!" The general consensus other than a heart attack was that perhaps Leno was suffering from food poisoning. That could be mild enough to not be dangerous and yet serious enough that it might warrant observation and observation is what has been touted.

This was the scenario going into April 24th, 2009 when the BBC News among many other sources reported that Leno was released from the hospital.

In their article, "Jay Leno released from hospital," BBC News reports that Leno was released after doctors indicated that his symptoms were not significant. However, neither the symptoms nor illness if applicable were identified by the medical community or NBC.

I have linked to a picture of Jay Leno upon being released from the hospital and while I'm certainly no doctor, he doesn't look to be in that great of shape.

Leno is slated to move from his late night slot up to "late primetime" with Conan O'Brien taking over for him in the late slot. This is to occur.

Jay Leno has done a stellar job with the late night show after taking over for late-night icon Johnny Carson in 1992. Everyone predicted he would fail.

Leno is a noted workaholic still maintaining some travelling dates. Prior to being a celebrity he was an incredibly hard-working comedian on the road virtually every night.

My wife and I were married in the mid 1970's and we used to watch Johnny Carson's monologue every night.

I think what helped Leno succeed was that he held to some of Carson's proven techniques; that helped him to be more readily accepted.

I must say, however, that the episode seems a bit strange.

References:

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/04/23/2009-04-23_jay_leno_cancels_tonight_show_taping_host_who_rarely_misses_work_in_hospital_wit.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8018082.stm
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/04/jay-leno-to-be-released-from-hospital-this-afternoon.html