After an unprecedented election that made California the laughingstock of the nation, it was fitting that Jay Leno delivered the final punch line: "Ladies and gentlemen, the governor of the great state of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger!"

Leno introduced the governor-elect to a cheering throng at Tuesday night's victory celebration, two months after Schwarzenegger made his surprise announcement on Leno's show that he would seek the governor's office.

Ushering in what promises to be a new era of political ridicule in California, Leno quipped: "The critics said Arnold can't be an administrator, he's an actor. Arnold can't be an environmentalist, he's an actor. Arnold can't be governor, he's an actor. And of course, Arnold was thrilled. For the first time in his life, the critics are calling him an actor."

He added: "Apparently we have all been wrong. It is pronounced Cah-lee-FOHR'-nee-ah."

The Battle of the Fringe Candidates
And now, because we know the suspense is killing you, here's how the second-tier circus freaks fared on the California recall ballot:

7th: Smut Peddler Larry Flynt: 16,526 votes (0.3%)
8th: Former Child Actor Gary Coleman: 13,506 (0.2%)
10th: Porn Star Mary Carey: 10,637 votes (0.2%)
16th: Watermelon Smasher Gallagher: 5,146 votes (0.0%)
29th: Billboard Queen Angelyne: 2,409 votes (0.0%)
• More: California Recall Humor, Arnold Jokes