In an age where celebrities are often noted more for their mishaps, failed relationships, wardrobe malfunctions, crazy behavior, and drug and alcohol abuse, Jay Leno is doing something that shows not all celebrities are quite as nutty as we may think.
Last week on the Tonight Show, Jay Leno announced a special engagement for the people of Detroit. As a car enthusiast, Leno has many ties to Detroit and the automaking industry. Unfortunately, the economic downturn has struck Detroit severely. In January, the city had an unemployment rate of 11.6%, one of the highest in the country.
In order to boost spirits, even if for only one night, Leno has decided to give a free show to unemployed individuals in Detroit on April 7. Leno has rented out the Palace in Detroit and has partnered with Pepsi to bring a night of relief to people who are out of work.
The show costs no money. In fact, tickets, refreshments, and parking are all free. In order to get tickets, people only have to say they’re unemployed. Leno is even putting the event on the “honor system,” taking the word of people who ask for tickets.
I am not trying to endorse Jay Leno, the Tonight Show, or even his standup comedy with this post. However, no matter if you like Leno or not, you have to agree this is a very nice gesture coming from someone who doesn’t have to do it. Yes, he has the money to do it, but he doesn’t have to.
It’s nice to see someone in Hollywood is looking out for the common man in America. Now if our politicians could take a hint from Jay Leno, maybe we’d be back in business…literally.
By the way, if everything goes well, Leno said he’d like to do this in more towns.
Tags: Detroit, free show, Jay Leno, Palace, Pepsi, Tonight Show
March 11th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
What if you live there and have a job, can you buy tickets?
March 11th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Nope. Apparently there’s enough unemployed people to fill the place. You could always try to get fired though
March 11th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
There are a lot of umployed people around here, but I’m not sure how many leno fans there lol
March 12th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I have always been a fan of Jay Leno. From what I read and hear, he is a very genuine guy and not a Hollywood snob. On and off his show, he comes across as an average guy and I believe that has helped propel him to where he is today. From what I understand, he still does comedy once a week at some of the small clubs he started in all around LA because 1) he enjoys it and 2) he doesn’t wanna lose touch with where he came from.
I applaud his effort to give some relief to those who have been down their luck here lately. He seems like a very charitable guy. When we were at FWBBC, he fly into Nashville specifically to do a charity show for one of the colleges and then flew back to LA.
He is the king of late night and I think NBC will miss him in the 11:35 time slot. IMHO, David Letterman is not worthy to lick the dirt off of Leno’s shoes.
March 13th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I have always liked Leno. Don’t usually catch his show anymore.
March 14th, 2009 at 4:27 am
A few years ago, Debbies best friend and her family went to California and were told where Jay Leno lives. They were trying to look through the shrubs to see the house when the gates opened and a fancy car pulled out. The window rolled down and it was Jay Leno. Kiddingly he said, “You guys trying to steal my mail?” He stopped the car, got out and talked to them for 10-15 minutes and let them take pictures. He was very friendly and accomodating.