>> by all rights, david letterman should have taken over for johnny carson, but his agent took a very, very aggressive stand. we're going to really control all of late night. ♪ it's going to cost you a fortune. and they put our backs to the wall. >> i can only tell you it's been an honor and a privilege to come into your homes all these years and entertain you. and i hope when i find something >> listen to it. i want to do and i think you oh, they know when it hits the bottom, it will be 1990, will like and come back, that good-bye to the 80s. you will be as gracious inviting me into your home as you have been. i bid you a very heartfelt good >> ten, nine, eight -- eight, night. >> "the tonight show" without johnny carson as the regular eight, eight! >> oh, will this horrible year never end? >> when the '90s began, we started to see a lot of host made its debut last night. jay leno emerged from behind the