"In 2009, I'll be 59 years old and will have had this dream job for 17 years," Leno said in a statement on Monday. "When I signed my new contract, I felt that the timing was right to plan for my successor, and there is no one more qualified than Conan. Plus, I promised (my wife) Mavis I would take her out for dinner before I turned 60."

This news comes as Conan signed a new five year contract with NBC to host "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," and the contract reportedly guarantees him "The Tonight Show" when Leno retires in 2009. 
 
 
.