Jay Leno celebrates 15 years

Viewers may best remember Jay Leno for his question to a contrite Hugh Grant – “What the hell were you thinking?” – but the late-night host’s own most memorable moments have a personal connection.

Two experiences trace back to his youth, says Leno, who today celebrates his 15th anniversary as host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., KHQ-6 in Spokane).

A visit by John F. Kennedy Jr. reminded him of watching President Kennedy’s funeral with his mother, when a young JFK Jr. saluted his father’s cortege.

“When he shook my hand, I got this tremendous emotional rush,” Leno says. “What are the odds that this circle would be completed: me, my mother and John F. Kennedy Jr.?”

And a John Glenn appearance reminded Leno of a sixth-grade paper he had written about the astronaut: “I called Mr. Simon, my teacher, and said, ‘I’m ready to finish that report.’ “

Leno, 57, who became Johnny Carson’s permanent guest host in 1987, has enjoyed many memorable moments, including the encounter with Grant, who had been caught with a prostitute; Arnold Schwarzenegger announcing his run for governor of California; and New York Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn proposing to actress Angie Harmon.

Tonight’s show will be No. 3,377, and Leno has hosted all but one: He swapped jobs with “Today’s” Katie Couric in 2003.

Grant’s newsmaking appearance is often credited for jumping Leno to No. 1 in the late-night ratings in the mid-1990s – a position he retains today, averaging 5.8 million viewers. But Leno credits a change of studio that got him in touch with his stand-up comedy roots.

“We’d been in Johnny’s studio, where there was a little bit of distance between the stage and the audience,” he says.

But on the new set, he explains, “I was literally in front of people, the way I would be in a nightclub. I think that was the big turnaround.”

Leno, whose 11-minute monologue is late night’s longest, credits his success to effort.

“I’m a great believer in low self-esteem,” he says. “I don’t think I’m as smart as most people out there, so I work a little harder.”

When he isn’t working on “Tonight,” Leno – long married to wife Mavis – is often on the road doing stand-up performances or tinkering with his fleet of rare cars and motorcycles.

His attitude helps him weather the barbs of critics, who often haven’t looked kindly on his populist style.

“A lot of times they’re right, and a lot of times maybe they’re wrong,” he says. “When I first got this job, I thought my goal was to try to make everybody like you. But I realize on TV that you can’t get everybody.”

Despite Leno’s love for his job, he doesn’t hesitate when asked if he’ll try to extend his departure past 2009 – when Conan O’Brien, whose “Late Night” follows “Tonight,” is scheduled to take over as host.

“Conan’s going to take it. Conan is terrific,” Leno says. “I like Conan, and he’s earned it.”

He adds that he doesn’t want to see O’Brien “go through the ridiculous nonsense” that surrounded the choice of Carson’s successor, a bitter experience that pitted Leno against David Letterman – who became the host of CBS’ “Late Show,” where he’s under contract through at least 2010.

As for himself, Leno says, with millions banked from “Tonight,” he’s not worried about the future: “I’ll get a job somewhere.”