Obama Endorses Conan's Tonight Show

President Obama surprised The Tonight Show audience with a special message declaring that Conan O'Brien will do an "outstanding job" as the show's new host.

Conan aired a clip from NBC's "Inside the White House" special, in which Brian Williams asked if Obama had almost canceled his overseas trip this week to stay and watch Conan's debut as host of The Tonight Show.

A deadpan Obama replied, "This is something we discussed several times in the Oval Office, how to manage this transition between Leno and Conan. And I think he's up to the task. But I just want him to know that there is not going to any bailout coming out from Washington if he screws it up." (Watch video clip)

This Just In:

• President Obama critiques Fred Armisen's impression of him on Saturday Night Live, noting, "the ears aren't quite as big on the show as they are in person. That's presumably a makeup situation they can do something about."

• Stephen Colbert will be the first-ever guest editor of Newsweek for the issue that hits newsstands on June 8

• Watch David Letterman's Sonia Sotomayor pronunciation roundup

• Jon Stewart weighs in on Republican attacks against Sotomayor and Stephen Colbert laments the persecution of white minorities

• Watch highlights from Conan O'Brien Tonight Show debut and Jay Leno's last Tonight Show

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