Jay Leno bids farewell to The Tonight Show

From the Archives: "Jay Leno at the Fallsview Casino" (July 9, 2007)

Me with my Jay Leno bobblehead in 2014

Last Thursday, July 5, I went out of town for the weekend. My first stop was to see Jay Leno give a concert that night at the Fallsview Casino, located on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Leno is one of my favourite comedians, and he really gave his fans their money’s worth! Leno’s standup routine was a non-stop, 90 minute laugh-fest.

Some of you reading this blog know that Leno devotes the first 10 minutes of each episode of The Tonight Show to a monologue, featuring his comedic take on the news events of the day. Just like in each monologue, there was no shortage of jokes on his favourite targets, including President Bush, Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson, cats and dogs, obesity and life in Los Angeles. The material flowed from one joke to another without ever missing a beat.

Leno was on a roll from the moment he entered the stage. It took him a good 45 minutes before pausing for some water. Midway through the set he incorporated brief interactions with audience members that provided him an opportunity to respond with some good-natured quips.

The final part of the show was devoted to a mix of fond recollections and embarrassing moments involving family members, including his late parents. There were only a handful of references made to his late-night talk show.

Jay Leno is such a natural and gifted comic that it’s not hard to see why he always feels at home on the stage. I’m glad I finally got to see him live. He gets a big ‘chin up’ from me.