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Jay Leno scores for his first week: Palin, Cowell and Snooki & Co.

By April MacIntyre Feb 22, 2010, 19:22 GMT

Former Republican Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin EPA/TANNEN MAURY

JWOWW and GTL time, as the "Jersey Shore" and Mr. Nice Guy Simon Cowell from American Idol will be Jay Leno's first guests on his "new" show for the inaugural week.

Even Sarah Palin is invited to this party as NBC plans on reintroducing Jay to the USA with fanfare and huge ratings.

Palin and Cowell are among the first guests who have agreed to appear on The Tonight Show when Jay Leno returns on March 1.

His first night back isn’t particularly high wattage: Jamie Foxx and Olympic Gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn will be on the couch, with a musical performance by Brad Paisley.

Tuesday, Leno will have Sarah Palin, who will be joined by Olympic Gold medal snowboarder Shaun White.

On March 3, the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore will help with Leno’s Jaywalk All-Stars segment while white-hot late night chatter Chelsea Handler and speed skater Apolo Ohno will be with Leno.

On March 4, Matthew McConaughey and Jason Reitman will drop by, followed by Morgan Freeman on March 5 and Cowell on March 8. Joan Jett and The Blackhearts will perform March 9, and Kristen Stewart will appear March 10. Other guests include Dana Carvey on March 11 and Judd Apatow on March 12.

Get Back Jay's back on The Tonight Show starting March 1st at 11:35/10:35c.

Road to 11:35 Jay returns to The Tonight Show at 11:35/10:35c on March 1st.