The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Balancing act
Former ‘Tonight Show’ host Jay Leno knows how to play it down the political middle for laughs
“See, that’s how you know your life has gone off the rails — when your sexual behavior offends Bill Clinton.” ¶ No one was safe under Jay Leno’s hilarious line of fire during his recent monologue on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The five-minute set stirred up heaps of nostalgia from his “Tonight Show” era. ¶ His jokes poked fun at the slew of high-profile men accused of sexual misconduct amid the #metoo movement. ¶ Each joke packed a bigger punch than the one before. The audience came up for air only when Leno hit them with “Luckily, those are just media types and Hollywood people. Can you imagine what our country would be like if the president of the United States acted like that?”
What’s the protocol for a comedian during these sensitive times? Do you close your eyes and pretend the climate hasn’t changed, or do you adjust your sails a bit but still utilize every headline?
During a recent interview, Leno — who is set to perform his stand-up routine at Playhouse Square April 6 with musical guest David Luning — explains his approach navigating murky territory, trying to keep his audience happy while still serving as a social commentator. He also tosses in a few fascinating industry secrets.
Q What are your thoughts on the role of comedians in social commentary these days? Do you see comedians as a voice of protest?
A It depends how you see yourself. I mean, to me, your job is to entertain and be funny. If you can make people who disagree with you laugh, I think then you’re accomplishing your main goal. I remember years ago, I had a new comedian on the show, and his opening line was, “I’m a liberal Democrat.” And then he went into his routine. I said to him, “You know, people will figure out your politics. Just be funny.” Why lose half your audience? I try to make fun of both sides equally.
I don’t think anyone wants to be lectured at. If I go to hear my favorite singer, I don’t want a speech for 10 minutes in the middle about what issue they’re interested in. It doesn’t seem like that’s what your job is. I was reading about a comedian the other day — who will remain nameless — he was asked to do a show at some sort of event that said, “Please don’t discuss these topics.” And that’s the first thing he did, and, of course, he got fired halfway through. And half the people think that’s great. If you don’t want the job, don’t take the job. I don’t quite understand it.
I do late shows in Vegas, and then I do some shows … you know, I once, just for the fun of it, booked myself into Paul Roberts University, just to see if I could play it (laughs)], and they were fine. All they asked was, “Please no sex jokes.” OK. All right. They were fine with politics and sarcasm. It depends whatever you see your role as. I see my role as: I’m a comedian; I don’t violate my core beliefs. Obviously, if you’re playing a Catholic event, 10 minutes on abortion probably isn’t gonna be your wisest choice. You’re not gonna change anybody’s mind unless you’re the greatest communicator in the world. But if someone asked me my opinion, I would certainly tell them.
I mean, you look at the success (the premiere of the “Roseanne” reboot) had just the other night, it’s because it was pretty down-the-middle. They had a discussion, and both sides gave their opinion in a funny way.
Just the idea that if you don’t agree with an entertainer’s politics you can’t enjoy what it is they do — I don’t quite get that. There are plenty of actors I disagree with, but I like their movie roles because they’re playing somebody else. So it’s a little tricky. It’s interesting that (politics) comes before funny, you know?
Q You’re always a draw when you come to Cleveland. Is the Midwest sense of humor different from other parts of the country? Is red-state humor different from blue states?
“When I did ‘The Tonight Show,’ my favorite thing was when I would get letters (that said), ‘Well, Mr. Leno, you and your Republican friends … I hope you’re happy.’ And then the next week (letters that said), ‘You and your Democrat buddies made sure that … .’ OK, that’s good. So both sides are equally mad.” — Jay Leno
A I think the only difference is that there’s a certain elitism on the East Coast (and the) West Coast that’s annoying. I mean, you’re expected to have a particular point of view, and if you don’t, well then, you’re either uneducated or racist or whatever it might be. I mean, to put things bluntly, in New York or LA you could just call the president an (expletive), but whereas in the Midwest, I would say, “I don’t think President Bush quite understands…” and then people start to laugh because you’re coming at it from a more … gentle way.
I never question anybody’s motives — I just question their judgment. Rather than just come out and call somebody some insulting name, you try to figure out what brought them to that conclusion and try to come up with a funny joke about it.
Q You certainly do a great job of that.
A Well, thanks. When I did “The Tonight Show,” my favorite thing was when I would get letters (that said), “Well, Mr. Leno, you and your Republican friends … I hope you’re happy.” And then the next week (letters that said), “You and your Democrat buddies made sure that … .” OK, that’s good. So both sides are equally mad. Again, it depends what you see a comedian’s role as. I honestly have friends on both sides. I’m one of these people that’s fiscally conservative. I don’t like big banks, I rarely use credit cards, I don’t even like mortgages. I didn’t buy a house until I could afford — I’m lucky I’m in that position (to be able to say), “Here’s some cash, give me the house.” Yeah, I’m a socially liberal person. I think we need to take care of people. I have no problem with gay marriage. People (should) find happiness wherever they can. So I don’t really fit into either side. You try to come down the line a little bit, ya know?
Q Do you keep up with new comedians? Who is making you laugh right now?
A I saw this kid on Netflix, Ryan Hamilton, really funny. John Mulaney …
Q I love Mulaney. A Isn’t he good? Really clever. I like on “Saturday Night Live,” what’s his name? Michael Che. Really funny stand-up. There’s a lot of really good young comics out there. A lot of really funny women coming up, as well, which is fun to see. It’s fun to see that it’s [called] just “comedy” it’s not “female comedy” or “male comedy” it’s just “comedy.”
I remember a great joke artist Phyllis Diller. Phyllis Diller was actually an attractive woman, but she just had to make herself look unattractive and talk about how unattractive she was to get laughs. It was the era she grew up in. Today, I think she would just be a really funny comedian. She wouldn’t need the outrageous costumes and the wacky hair. Unfortunately, that’s the way it was back in the day. When you see someone like Ellen Degeneres, I mean, I could do 90 percent of her act and she could do 90 percent of mine, except for the ones that are really gender-specific. It’s comedy. It doesn’t have a gender. It’s just funny.
Q Do you ever get nervous about trying out new material?
A Well, not nervous-nervous, because when you try out new material, you try it out 10 or 15 seconds at a time. You sneak it in, and then if it works, you put it at the top. But when you do a show, there’s a certain level of professionalism I think people expect. So you want to do 30 or 40 minutes of something that’s strong, then slip the new stuff in to see if it can carry the same weight. Nobody introduces a new half-hour all at once.
Here’s an example of a joke that if the time is right, and if people get it, or it’s too sensitive of an area: So, after the school shootings, I said, “Donald Trump wants to arm all the teachers. Has he thought this through? What about the school librarian — would her gun have to have a silencer? How does that work?” People get that it’s a gentle joke.
You try to say the funniest stuff you can with the least amount of words, because the longer it takes to tell a joke, the less funny it’s gonna be, ya know? People are waiting and waiting. Like when you watch Mulaney, every 10 seconds or so is a really funny joke. There’s not a lot of hemming and hawing. I never liked those comedians (who say things like), “How y’all doing? Woo! Everybody cool? Yeah! Denver! Let’s hear it for Denver!” Just get to the joke, will ya, please?
Q You always get a huge response when you appear on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Do these younger comedians ask you for advice?
A Yeah, younger comedians, they wanna talk to you and ask you for advice, and, sure, I enjoy doing that. I mean, Steve Martin, Robert Klein and George Carlin, they all did it for me and they were very kind. The advice I usually give is try to get as much stage time as you possibly can. I mean, the stage is not a normal place to be, but the more you’re on stage, the more normal it becomes.
What I used to do when I was starting out, I would try to write a letter with my left hand while I was talking just to try to compartmentalize your brain. After a while, you can do it. You can learn to compartmentalize your mind …. Some guys heckle you. I can still be talking, but in the corner of my mind, (I’m thinking), “What can I say to this guy?” Something that may seem spontaneous is actually something you spent a minute or two thinking about.