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Jay Leno in Hospital: Cancels 'Tonight' Over Mystery Illness

by Tina Kells | April 23, 2009 at 04:06 pm

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Jay Leno was rushed to hospital Thursday prompting producers to cancel the taping of the Tonight Show. The network will air a repeat instead. The scheduled guests on Thursday's Tonight Show will be rescheduled so fans will have to wait to see Ryan Reynolds and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

There are no confirmed reports about why Leno was taken to hospital; some claim illness and others suggest food poisoning. Jay Leno will remain in hospital for the short term and is said to be in good spirits.

“A repeat of ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ will air tonight as Mr. Leno is not feeling well,” a rep for the show told Access.

Leno was driven to the hospital earlier today. He was not taken by ambulance, a spokesperson for Leno told Access.

A “Tonight Show” rep added, “Jay Leno is doing just fine. He was kidding around with the hospital staff and running his monologue jokes by the doctors and the nurses. He’s expected back to work on Monday.”

Leno rarely gets sick. Rumors have surfaced the funnyman may be suffering from food poisoning, however that has not been confirmed. The star is currently “under observation” at a Los Angeles area hospital.

Jay Leno Released late Thursday (Update: April 25, 2009)

After an undisclosed health scare Tonight Show host and funny man Jay Leno has been released from hospital. He is said to be doing well and will be returning to work Monday, April 27 to tape a new episode of Tonight.

Jay Leno spent the night at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center for "precautionary reasons" but has been released and is expected to return to work Monday.

Leno, 58, checked himself into the hospital Thursday after he reported to work and did not feel well, according to sources close to Leno. Although his illness has not been officially released, sources close to Leno say the "Tonight Show" host has told friends he was suffering from food poisoning.

NBC released the following statement: "We [are] happy to say that Jay Leno is feeling much better and has been released from the hospital. He's anxious to return to work on Monday."

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Amy Judd

at 15:33 on April 25th, 2009

Jay Leno has been released from hospital:

His spokesperson said doctors released him on Friday after finding the sickness was not "symptomatic of anything serious."

jazzyzazzy

at 15:59 on April 25th, 2009

Glad he is okay,I think its better to be safe than sorry. Rather take a chance at home if one feels unwell a hospital visit and check up gives us peace of mind. He will be back Monday,making a joke about whatever it was.