is not going to go forever. >> the only way to really keep both of these guys at nbc was that we were eventually going to have to promise conan that he would take over "the tonight show." but we didn't want that to happen any time soon because we knew jay was on top of the world. >> the suggestion was that we offer jay leno an extension of his "tonight show" contract for five years and that conan o'brien would be made the host of "the tonight show." >> this was the ultimate prize. and i think conan's feeling was if i can get "the tonight show" and keep doing "late night show," why not? >> growing up it was the show i watched with my dad. and it was the whole tradition. steve allen, parr, and of course johnny carson. this is the chance to be part of that lineage now, and i'm going try to live up to this.