Legendary funnymen remember Jay Leno as "the comic's comic"

In advance of the final airing of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", on Thursday evening Piers Morgan welcomed a trio of industry insiders, asking the fellow comics to share their memories of the -year-old television icon.

"I am going to miss him. It was like having a funny uncle who'd come over and make funny noises and find a quarter behind your ear," described actor and comedian Fred Willard. "Then when your parents were out of the room he'd say 'hey you want to hear a joke.' Oh, Uncle Jay, couldn't wait for him to come in."

To Jon Lovitz, meanwhile, Leno was always gracious and inviting, no matter the audience or environment:

"I met him when I was in college. He performed at my college and I got to interview him when I was 19, and I've known him since," revealed the "Saturday Night Live" alum and man behind "The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club" in California. "He's been the same. He was like the comic's comic. He would help everybody. Everybody looked up to him. He was like the top dog."

A decorated comedy writer, and onetime host himself, Spike Feresten applauded Leno's longevity, and resilience:

"You like him or you don't like him. He's one of the best I've ever seen of keeping a show on the air. He does it in very smart, political ways almost," said the man responsible for much of the witty comedy that paced NBC's iconic "Seinfeld" program. "Say what you want about him, there have been some unpopular moments and controversial moments with Conan O'Brien and even with Johnny [Carson], he's done just an amazing job."

Watch the clip for more of Morgan's interview with the three comedy enthusiasts, and for the next edition of "Piers Morgan Live," watch CNN every night at 9.
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