Former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will return to NBC this week to mentor comedians on “Last Comic Standing.”
As the five final comics face off Thursday, Leno will provide counsel on the ins and out of stand-up. Host J.B. Smoove introduces Leno to the comics by telling them they’re about to meet “one of the funniest comedians in the world.”
Also read: Jay Leno Gets Animated for Disney XD’s ‘Phineas and Ferb’ (Exclusive Photo)
Leno continued to perform standup regularly even while hosting “The Tonight Show” each night for two decades. NBC entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt has said he hopes Leno will continue a relationship with the network, and that hope is coming to fruition with Leno’s appearance on the competition show.
Jimmy Fallon took over “The Tonight Show” in February.
Also read: David Letterman vs. Jay Leno: A Timeline of Their Legendary Late-Night Rivalry
The “Last Comic Standing” contestants are competing for the title of “Last Comic Standing” and a prize package worth $250,000, including cash and talent and development deals.
Thursday’s episode with Leno appears Thursday at 10/9c on NBC.