By DAVID BAUDER
AP Television Writer
NEW YORK – On his final “Tonight” show, Conan O’Brien said walking away instead of accepting a demotion is the hardest thing he’s ever had to do.
Despite the rancor that led to his $45 million buyout, the red-haired comic urged fans not to be cynical and said their support made a sad situation “joyous and inspirational.” He thanked his viewers and even thanked NBC for more than 20 years of employment but not before getting in a few final jabs during an earlier monologue.
O’Brien will be replaced March 1 by the man he took over for seven months ago – Jay Leno. In the interim, reruns will fill the slot, followed by Winter Olympics programming next month.