Ethiopian Review

Jay Leno revealed more elements of his new primetime comedy show Wednesday, including the addition of comedians Liz Feldman and Mikey Day to his corespondents team.

Giving further examples of the type of comedy viewers can expect on the show, Feldman recently shot a segment where she went to a retirement home and taught seniors how to use Twitter, while Day will have a celebrity news segment dubbed ‘JMZ.’ Previously announced corespondent DL Hughley is readying a segment where he tries to raise money for cash-strapped California in D.C.

Though the show’s format is going to evolve, Leno currently plans to have musical guests only once or
twice a week. His “Green Car Challenge,” where celebrities will race around in eco-friendly cars trying to beat each others’ time on a custom track built next to the studio, will be done 2-3 times per week (personally I expect this segment to flop — it’s so clearly product placement driven, and who wants to watch George Clooney drive a Ford Focus?).

Calling himself “the world’s oldest quarterback,” Leno gave a preview of his new set to reporters while maintaining a Zen attitude toward his upcoming debut.

“If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work,” Leno said. “I’m still happy to play the game. We’re not reinventing anything. We’re just trying to give you a laugh before you go to bed. It’s not some revolutionary thing.”
Referencing NBC’s touting of Conan O’Brien’s ratings after the “Tonight Show” handover, Leno added, “I hope I’m not declared the ‘King of Primetime.’”

Leno seemed a bit pained, however, by industry writers who’ve criticized him for being a part of the Peacock’s plan to take scripted shows off 10 p.m.

“There are more scripted dramas than any other time in history  — all these great shows on other networks,” Leno said, noting several cable titles. “If we didn’t do this, you’d have ‘Dateline’ five nights a week.”

Asked what sort of ratings he would consider a success, he said, “You know you’re not doing well when they ask you to leave. And sometimes you’re doing well and they ask you to leave anyway.”

A large door allows Leno to drive a car directly onto to the set, which is something Leno intends to do, albeit infrequently. The color scheme is rich and contemporary (“We’re putting a PF Changs here,” Leno joked).

One unique element is a full embrace of Leno’s love of classic automobiles. There’s artful photos mounted in various spots along the frames of the stage of his car collection (usually closeups of parts, such a speedometer). The most prominent photo includes the “10” racing stripe from the show’s upfront teaser clip, where the use of the number on a vehicle was used to drive home the message of Leno’s new time period.

Above the stage of the new set are a couple of large ticker displays, which Leno quipped would be used to display the show’s ratings minute-by-minute. A glass wall might aid some fourth-wall breaking shots, such as Leno being miked before going on stage.