From Steve Allen to Conan O’Brien: Classic ‘Tonight Show’ moments

As if the O.J. Simpson murder trial weren’t enough of a circus, Jay Leno added his own bit of spectacle with his group of dancers dressed like Judge Lance Ito. Their routines eventually incorporated a female dancer to play prosecutor Marcia Clark.  (Con Keyes / Los Angeles Times)

Jay Leno is known to be pals with many of Hollywood‘s powerful people, one of them being Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Their friendship started long before the “Terminator” star regularly mangled “Kahlifournia” in official speeches -- though the phrase became a constant for Jay in his Schwarzenegger impersonation -- and has lasted throughout his tenure. It was on display as the governator visited the show despite being under fire to straighten out California‘s financial woes.  (Paul Drinkwater / Associated Press)

After just 59 days in office, President Obama stopped by “The Tonight Show” for a casual chat about the state of the union. The March 19, 2009, event marked the first late-night visit by a sitting president, and the leader of the free world kept things light saying, “I do think in Washington it is a little bit like ‘American Idol,’ except everybody is Simon Cowell. Everybody’s got an opinion.”  (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

Jay Leno returned to the “Tonight Show” perch, but his latest tenure hasn’t been stellar. Adding to that, he has recently been feuding with NBC executives, and talk has turned to the possibility of moving on to heir-apparent Jimmy Fallon.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)