Jay Leno to remain in Hospital

By April MacIntyre Apr 24, 2009, 3:13 GMT

04/21/2009 - Jay Leno - NBC has released a statement confirming the prior report that Mr. Leno is taking the night off, possibly two, because "he is not feeling well." © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Jay Leno is in hospital.

Mr. Leno took the reins from the late Johnny Carson in 1992, taking over the most popular late night chat show on American television.  Mr. Leno is scheduled to hand over the show to Conan O'Brien in May 2009.

Mr. Leno is known for often noting his hard-working parents, his Scottish-born mother from Greenock, and his first-generation Italian father whose parents hailed from Flumeri, Italy.  He is also an avid collector of cars and motorcycles, and makes appearances doing stand-up regularly at The Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California.

NBC has released a statement confirming the prior report that Mr. Leno is taking the night off, possibly two, because "he is not feeling well."

According to the network, Leno, who has a solid attendance at work, "was just not feeling well. Somebody from the show drove him over to the hospital."

The vague description of his ailment was not elaborated on by NBC. Mr. Leno's publicist has not issued a statement regarding his health either.

NBC will air repeats of "The Tonight Show" today and Friday, and Leno, according to NBC, will return to work Monday.

“Jay Leno is doing just fine. He was kidding around with the hospital staff and running his monologue jokes by the doctors and the nurses," NBC said in a statement.