As a watcher of “The Tonight Show” I have heard Jay talking about his “Comedy stimulus package”, and I think it just shows how great and down-to-earth Jay is.
For those who don’t know, Jay is having 2 free shows up at the Palace for the residents of Detriot. Tickets are free, parking is free, apparently there will be free refreshments (as provided by Pepsi). He came up with the idea because Detroit was hit hard, he feels bad, and honestly he just thought “Why the hell not”.
Nice guy eh???
It is very nice of him. I hope that more people (comedians, musicians, theater troupes) follow suit. Let us see the show for free, we’ll no doubt make up for it in food and drinks. I think it’d be win-win for both sides.
But I do think calling the name “Comedy stimulus package” is very depressing. Just imagine if the administration subsidized a giant free comedic tour stimulus package in order to lift up the country’s spirits. I think it’s a sure sign that we’re all totally fucked! :eek:
I think that it’s very nice of him, but some people on the Detroit City Council don’t think that’s nice enough.
The NCAA finals are being played in downtown Detroit the night before, and that’s the reason that Ford Field “wasn’t available.” All Leno did was go to the next place that was recommended. I don’t want to hijack this into a rant on the madness that is Detroit politics, but I do think that it’s a shame that Leno can’t just do something nice without being told that it’s not good enough.
I get a page load error when I click on your link. By chance, did it have something to do with this? Or maybe this?
Although the way Cobo Hall has been leaking lately I’m surprised she suggested it. If the other venues she suggested are in equally bad shape it’s no surprise the show was moved outside Detroit city limits.
Anyhow - the Detroit City Council has their heads up their asses. When I was last there, just a couple weeks ago, the DCC refused a bail-out plan for Cobo Hall (one of the few venues in the city that is actually a working concern and does something) because it would involve some contribution and participation from counties immediately adjacent to Detroit. Barbara-Rose Collin’s comment was along the lines of she didn’t want people who didn’t look like her having anything to do with Detroit. Meaning she didn’t want any white folks involved, just a blacks-only city. :rolleyes: Oh, and white folks were gonna steal Detroit’s “jewels”. :rolleyes:
Sure it’s “nice” of him to do the show. But I’m afraid he’d have to pay me to go. We paid $100 a person to see him in Vegas. His show was soo bad we eventually walked out after I woke up my husband, who fell asleep midway through the show. His material was so stale and dated, and you could tell he was just reciting it by rote. I’m sure it’s the same routine he’s been doing for years. Hopefully he’ll change it up for Detroit.
Well, if you’re unemployed and have no money even a stale and dated comedy routine can be a welcome break from one’s troubles. For you, however, I’m sorry you were disappointed because for $100/person I’d expect to be ENTERTAINED!!!
I’ve been a fan of the man (but not his show, sorry Jay) ever since he pulled over to help a friend change a flat tire. She was struggling to pull the spare out of the trunk, when all of a sudden, there’s Jay Leno saying, “Hi, can I help you with that?” So, yeah, a REALLY nice guy.
My uncle worked with him and the Tonight Show for 20 years as an set engineer. Says he is the nicest guy in person and very kind to the staff. He doesn’t have the same kind words for Johnny Carson, who was known to be a real a-hole. Leno was/is generous with gifts very down to earth.
Even though I am not a fan of his show, he just seems like he would be a good guy; down to earth, not pretentious---- Glad to hear that my perceptions of him seem to be borne out…
Not a whole lot to add but since he’s the subject of conversation… I spoke with him on the phone for a bit when he was doing a segment on our company. He was looking for someone else but got to me instead by accident. He was very polite and nice but not as upbeat as he is on the show. Just sounded like a bored Jay Leno.
Here in the UK a comedian called Frank Skinner (household name, on TV for years) started doing a similar thing in London a few months ago. He has run a series of gigs featuring himself and other artists where the aim is to provide a little cheer and light relief at what is, for many people, a very hard time. The shows are not entirely free, but the tickets are extremely cheap, about five pounds each, and apparently this just goes to cover operational costs. Just to offer a comparison, even perfectly ordinary tickets for most West End live shows cost 30-50 pounds.
Out of curiosity, how are they doling out the tickets? Hopefully it’s not just “doors open/general admission seating” as that could be a very very bad thing for a free event.
The Who in Cincinnati comes to mind. 
Yes, thank you! That’s what I was referring to with the link.
He mentioned a little thing like “people standing in lines for the tickets”…so I think it was just a first come first serve albeit in advance
I’ve met Mr. Leno on a number of occassions at various gigs during the last 20 years. He really is a genuine, nice, considerate person. He’s a lot of fun if he arrives early enough to get bored with sitting in his dressing room/trailer, too.