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September 17, 2005

Toupee Town

Not having a car is inconceivable to most people in Los Angeles. The city is so vast, the public transport system so underdeveloped, and the infrastructure so set up for automobiles, that it's a constant uphill battle to get anywhere without your own wheels.

I like Jay Leno and kept meaning to attend a taping of the Tonight Show while I was living in Santa Barbara but never got round to it. I decided to go for it while I was here, but it meant a two and half hour trip on the public buses, leaving at 5 in the morning from Venice and arriving in Burbank at 7.30 in time for the ticket office opening at 8.00. I was in two minds about doing it because there was no guarantee that I would get a ticket, but I went for it and picked a day when the guests weren't hugely popular. According to a lady I met in the queue, when A-list stars are on the show, some people camp out in front of the office from 1 in the morning.

The line wasn't long and I picked up my ticket then went on a tour of the NBC studios. The guide took us backstage past the set of 'Days of Our Lives' (which I've never seen and obviously didn't recognise any of the cast members) and various news studios. We saw various props, Jay's car, the studio and backstage, and... Donald Trump! The Donald was walking along with cameras and an entourage. He looked older than he does on television, and his hair looked - if possible - even more mangy. I said "Hello Mr. Trump" and he smiled at me. Or maybe at the camera.

We queued up outside the Tonight Show studios a few hours before the doors opened and got good seats. I was in the front row behind the reserved seating. It was a great show and Jay was very funny and relaxed. Ozzy Osbourne put in a brief appearance, Dennis Leary was a laugh and then the second guests, Steve O and Chris Pontius, were as feral as usual. They put leeches on themselves and Chris gave Steve O a tattoo of Jay's signature. Keane played at the end and then they filmed the promos. Had a great time, but a lo-o-o-ong journey back on the buses...

Posted by Rowena on September 17, 2005 07:18 AM
Category: USA
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