Yesterday, I finally fulfilled my year long Los Angeles based ambition of seeing the live taping of Tonight Show by Jay Leno. It was only 2 years ago, when I was in Pennsylvania, and as a regular viewer of the Tonight Show, My eyes would lit up whenever they flashed the address of the NBC studio - 3000 W Alameda Ave, Burbank, CA, 91523.
However it turned out to be more exciting than just being part of the audience. Due to busy work schedule and odd filming timings, we were one of the last few to reach the studio. But by a great stroke of luck, we got to sit in the first 2 rows. This gave us an opportunity to go upfront to the stage and shake hands and greet Jay, when he arrived at the podium before his gig. Coincidentally it also happens to be the only part of the show where they televise the audience ! The first guest for the night was Dennis Miller, and I couldn't care less. He was funny, but he alienated me with his extremely conservative right wing talk.
But the second guest happened to be my favorite pro-football player - running back Ladanian Tomlinson from San Diego Chargers. Even off the field LT remained humble and shy, and had an inspiring story to tell. For someone who plays in NFL, he didn't seemed to be really big or burly, but was rather medium sized built. The live band for the night was KT Tunstall, who gave a solid rendition of their current hit, 'Suddenly I See'.
Having lived in LA for more than a year, I have seen a handful of shows. The sitcoms are always long and boring as they shoot take after take. The talk shows on the other hand are quick and taped live. Jimmy Kimmel (ABC) & Late Late Show with Craig Fergusson (CBS) both were good, but they tried to manage the audience with stage enhancers and comics. The enviroment seemed very formal and kind of stole the fun out of the show. On the other hand, the Tonight Show had a very informal touch, with Jay himself walking out before the show and mingling with the audience. Their were no comic acts before the show, and we were in and out of the studio in little less than 2 hours.
I had also had the opportunity to see Jay Leno's stand up act at Hermosa Beach Comedy magic club in a very informal setting. The tickets were cheap and the show was really entertaining, as opposed to the dissappointing show by Russel Peters at the Wilshire Wiltern recently.
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8 comments:
You seem to scale new levels of hypocrisy, desism by the minute machaan. Jay leno is much more formal than Russell peters..or you didnt like peters because he made you feel like a desi. At Jay, you can pretend to be an american. you dog, your days are numbered. :))
you tree hugging, slave b*ing, hitler loving wuss :D
So it took Jay Leno to make you post again!! :-)
Russell Peters lives on the edge of offensiveness. Atleast it looked like that to me. And yes, I do enjoy the blue collar comedy tour! :-)
cool! Jay leno is one of my fav. Too bad he's retiring.
@Totti....Thanks for your compliments....
@JC...I have been busy travelling lately and hence did not have time to post...but Leno was definitly exciting , so I figured out I shall re-start my blog
@M...He is not retiring for another 4 years...and even then he will continue performing his stand-up acts in local bars in LA
Did LT migle around after the show?
Also who's Dennis Miller
arun i am in india right now....sorry, i got ur message on the phone....call you when i come back, enjoy dallas (again!!)
-- Rupi
@Rohan..LT hung around talking with other guests, but not with the audience...he seems like a nice cool chap...Dennis miller was humorous but annoying with his hard right views
@Rupi....Glad to hear from you...actually Appa informed me that you were in India now...anyways weather in big D seems fine...I am here till friday..
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