About Jay Leno

[Rasputin]

Jay Leno apologized Tuesday for on-air remarks he made during a chat with Ryan Phillippe that were then criticized by gay activists and others.

"In talking about Ryan's first role, I realize that what I said came out wrong," the host of NBC's Tonight Show said in a statement to PEOPLE. "I certainly didn't mean any malice. I agree it was a dumb thing to say, and I apologize."

[mautung]

what about?? hımm!

[Rasputin]

Even in the hospital Jay Leno hasn't lost his sense of humor.

The Tonight Show host, 58, canceled the taping of his talk show and checked into Providence Saint Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank on Thursday. No information has been released on the nature of the funnyman's ailment, but a rep for the show says he's "doing just fine."

"He was kidding around with the hospital staff and running his monologue jokes by the doctors and the nurses," says NBC's Tracy St. Pierre. "He's expected back to work on Monday."

According to sources, Leno, who rarely calls in sick and is famous for his strong work ethic, "was just not feeling well. Somebody from the show drove him over to the hospital."

Actor Ryan Reynolds – as well as an animal handler and several reptiles – had been scheduled to appear on the show.

[Rasputin]

Somebody buy Jay Leno a drink.

The Tonight Show host was released from the hospital Friday after he was admitted for observation for what his rep said was an apparent case of dehydration.

The late-night funnyman, 58, started feeling badly Thursday morning and was taken to Providence Saint Joseph's Medical Center, located adjacent to NBC's studios where The Tonight Show tapes. The show was canceled, as was Friday's taping.

"We are happy to say that Jay Leno is feeling much better and has been released from the hospital," NBC said in a statement. "He's anxious to return to work on Monday."

Leno's personal rep tells PEOPLE: "They had him overnight. It was for observation. It was symptomatic of nothing serious. I think it was a dehydration."

Leno is renowned for his work ethic – and heavy performing schedule – but it doesn't appear he had overdone it; his rep says Leno's calendar was no more full this week than usual. "He doesn't feel strains," the rep says. "He feels strains if there's nothing to do."