Jay Leno worked his way up to his cushy job, but not without difficulties
Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock
It was 10 years after his first-ever “Tonight Show” appearance, and Jay Leno had been making his rounds along the comedy circuit, including more appearances on Johnny Carson’s late-night sketch and gabfest. He had also hosted his own television comedy special, “Jay Leno and the American Dream.” Then, NBC offered him a deal he never thought he’d get — a chance to be one of two permanent guest hosts of “The Tonight Show” (via Biography), subbing for Carson who was known for taking frequent breaks.
When Leno arrived at the NBC studios for his first hosting appearance and told the guards he was going to be that night’s “Tonight Show” guest host, they didn’t believe him because they didn’t recognize him. Hence, they wouldn’t let him in the studio, according to Factinate. Eventually, Leno cleared things up, but it took a while before people got used to him. In fact, one NBC affiliate interviewer introduced him as someone “who claims to have hosted ‘The Tonight Show.’” Of course, Leno got the last laugh when he ended up hosting the show permanently for more than two decades, making him one of the most well-known names and faces in show biz.
The Real Reason NBC Employees Barred Jay Leno From Entering The Studio
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By Hope Campbell/Sept. 16, 2021 5:55 pm EST
Leno spent his childhood trying to perfect his knack for comedy, apparently coming at it naturally when he would prank fellow students as far back as elementary school. According to Biography, his teacher wrote the following on his fifth grade report card. “If Jay spent as much time studying as he does trying to be a comedian, he’d be a big star.”
Jay Leno worked his way up to his cushy job, but not without difficulties
Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock
It was 10 years after his first-ever “Tonight Show” appearance, and Jay Leno had been making his rounds along the comedy circuit, including more appearances on Johnny Carson’s late-night sketch and gabfest. He had also hosted his own television comedy special, “Jay Leno and the American Dream.” Then, NBC offered him a deal he never thought he’d get — a chance to be one of two permanent guest hosts of “The Tonight Show” (via Biography), subbing for Carson who was known for taking frequent breaks.
When Leno arrived at the NBC studios for his first hosting appearance and told the guards he was going to be that night’s “Tonight Show” guest host, they didn’t believe him because they didn’t recognize him. Hence, they wouldn’t let him in the studio, according to Factinate. Eventually, Leno cleared things up, but it took a while before people got used to him. In fact, one NBC affiliate interviewer introduced him as someone “who claims to have hosted ‘The Tonight Show.’” Of course, Leno got the last laugh when he ended up hosting the show permanently for more than two decades, making him one of the most well-known names and faces in show biz.
When Leno arrived at the NBC studios for his first hosting appearance and told the guards he was going to be that night’s “Tonight Show” guest host, they didn’t believe him because they didn’t recognize him. Hence, they wouldn’t let him in the studio, according to Factinate. Eventually, Leno cleared things up, but it took a while before people got used to him. In fact, one NBC affiliate interviewer introduced him as someone “who claims to have hosted ‘The Tonight Show.’” Of course, Leno got the last laugh when he ended up hosting the show permanently for more than two decades, making him one of the most well-known names and faces in show biz.
