Jay Leno Returns To ‘Tonight Show’ To Deliver Monologue

Jay Leno, former host of the Tonight Show who stepped down in 2014 after 22 years of sitting behind the desk, came to current host Jimmy Fallon‘s rescue after he claimed to feel tired and injured halfway through his opening monologue. “I think I pulled a hammy, I think I’m gonna sub out,” said Fallon, 41. Leno, 65, was greeted by room-shaking applause as he delivered the remainder of the monologue.

Leno tackled several different current events, including the race for president. A few killer jokes included: “Ralph Nader called Hilary Clinton a corporatist and a militarist… Isn’t that incredible? Ralph Nader is still alive?!” Leno continued on, delivering one comedic punch after another, most directed towards the Republican candidates: “After the last debate, Marco Rubio is being called the best communicator in the Republican Party… which is kind of like being the smartest Kardashian.”

Leno then followed up with a string of jokes about how bad the economy was, which led Fallon to jump back in to deliver the final hilarious joke in the monologue: “The economy is so bad, I saw Woflgang Puck eating Chef Boyardee.”

Leno can be seen on his new show, Jay Leno’s Garage, which airs Wednesdays at 10p ET on CNBC starting Oct. 7.