Late night TV host Jay Leno released from hospital

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jay Leno was released from a hospital on Friday, one day after checking in with an undisclosed illness that forced the comedian to cancel a taping "The Tonight Show" for the first time in 17 years as host.

Leno's spokesman Dick Guttman said the popular TV talk show star was held overnight Thursday for observation. He did not disclose what ailed the comedian, but said it was not symptomatic of any major health problem.

NBC said it expects Leno to return to the show on Monday.

It was the first time Leno, who turns 59 on Tuesday, has missed a scheduled appearance on "The Tonight Show" since he started hosting the show in 1992, except for one episode several years ago in which he traded places with news and talk show anchor Katie Couric, NBC said.

Conan O'Brien will take over as host of "The Tonight Show" on June 1, and Leno will have his own week-night program in prime-time this fall.