BURBANK, Calif. — Jay Leno wrapped up 17 years as "Tonight" host last night with jabs at favorite targets, including politicians and his own network, and with an unusual touch of sentiment.

"Now comes the hard part," Leno said as the NBC show drew to a close.

After reminiscing briefly about his time as host, Leno said he had an answer to those who asked him about his "Tonight" legacy.

He invited the audience to "take a look" at the children born to show staffers during his tenure — all 68 of them, babies to teenagers, who filled the studio stage.

"That's what I'd like my legacy to be," Leno said, his voice thickened by emotion. "When these kids grow up and they go, 'Hey, mom and dad, where did you guys meet?', they're going to say they met on the stage of 'The Tonight Show.' "

Leno noted proudly that he took over the top-rated late-night show from Johnny Carson and was passing it on with the same No. 1 ranking to Conan O'Brien, who begins as host Monday.

BOUNTY HUNTER 'DOG' ACCUSED OF LYING

DENVER — A public defender is demanding that TV bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman be charged with felonies for claiming a man fired a gun at him and his crew during filming in Colorado Springs last month.

The attorney alleges Chapman and others made up the claim to boost publicity for the A&E reality show "Dog The Bounty Hunter." Prosecutors dropped charges, saying the evidence was insufficient.

The lawyer yesterday filed a motion asking a judge to force prosecutors to charge Chapman and others with attempting to influence a public servant and false reporting.

SPECTOR SENTENCED TO AT LEAST 19 YEARS

LOS ANGELES — Phil Spector was sentenced yesterday to 19 years to life in prison for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, who was shot through the mouth in the music producer's home six years ago.

Spector, 69, showed no emotion as Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler ordered a term of 15 years to life for second-degree murder plus four years for use of a gun. The judge also ordered Spector to pay $16,811 in funeral costs and $9,740 to a victims' restitution fund.

DAVID HYDE PIERCE REVEALS GAY MARRIAGE

After keeping his private life out of the spotlight for years, David Hyde Pierce has announced his marriage to longtime partner Brian Hargrove.

The former "Frasier" star spoke candidly in an appearance Thursday on ABC's "The View." Wearing a wedding band, Hyde Pierce revealed they tied the knot "very quietly" in California on Oct. 24.

The actor and Hargrove, a producer, are still legally wed despite the California Supreme Court's decision Tuesday to uphold a gay-marriage ban approved by voters in November. The ban does not apply retroactively to the time when Hyde Pierce got married.