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Leno’s farewell didn’t mention man who gave him first big break

Jay Leno was feted on his final “Tonight Show” episode by guests from Oprah Winfrey to President Obama, Matt Damon, Kim Kardashian, Mark Wahlberg and Billy Crystal. But one local New York show-business legend wasn’t laughing: Joe Franklin.

Franklin, who’s credited as hosting the first-ever TV talk show in 1951, told Page Six he felt “slighted” that Leno and Crystal didn’t mention him while they reminisced about their early ­careers as struggling comics. Franklin argued that he’s the one who gave Leno his first TV break when he was a struggling Boston comic appearing locally at Dangerfield’s on First Avenue.

“There were a couple of memory lapses from those two on that final show,” Franklin, 87, told us. “Jay mentioned everyone during that program and he left me out.” Franklin added, “I’m upset they couldn’t remember. It’s not sour grapes. But it is a touchy subject.”

Franklin says he hosted “more than a half-million guests” during his 43-year career — including on his WOR-TV show from 1962 to 1993 that was the basis for one of Crystal’s “SNL” sendups of the ’80s. Also among those Franklin had on before they were famous: Bill Cosby, Joan Rivers, Barbra Strei­sand, Al Pacino, Bette Midler and Garth Brooks, who closed out Leno’s show as musical guest.

On Leno’s final “Tonight Show” Thursday, Crystal recalled his first TV booking on a David Frost ABC special called “That Was the Year That Was,” but he was cut. Leno said his “first network appearance” was meant to be on Dean Martin’s comedy show, but it was canceled because Richard Nixon resigned as president the same day.

Franklin insists he gave Leno his first big break that actually aired — and recalled that Leno called his mom, back in Boston, to tell her he was on Franklin’s show. Franklin says he then introduced Leno to his first agent, and added of him and Crystal, “I played a very important role in their early careers.” But Franklin isn’t holding any grudges. “I’m disappointed, but I forgive them,” he said. “They’re great people.”