Jay Leno Return Boosts ‘Tonight Show’ to Highest Friday Ratings in 8 Months

The NBC late-night show’s former host came back as a guest after ending 22-year run in February

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Douglas Gorenstein/NBC

Jay Leno‘s return to his old stomping grounds gave “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” its biggest Friday night in eight months.

The episode averaged a 3.3 rating, 8 share in metered-market households, in preliminary numbers, making it the top-rated Friday telecast of “The Tonight Show” since March 7 when it earned a 3.4/8 during the third week of Fallon’s tenure as “Tonight” host.

Among the 25 markets with Local People Meters, it scored a 1.2/6 in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic, equaling the show’s highest Friday figure since the March 7 (1.5/6) episode.

The comedian, who will be back on television early next year with CNBC car show “Jay Leno’s Garage,” ended his 22-year run as “Tonight Show” host with the Feb. 6 episode.

Friday’s guests also included Lucy Liu and Kevin Delaney, as well as Dave Davies sitting in with house band, The Roots.

Leno is also set to be Craig Ferguson‘s final “Late Late Show” guest when the CBS host airs his last episode on Friday, Dec. 19.

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