Once a comedian, always a comedian.
Jay Leno may have stepped back from the comedy spotlight, but the former “Tonight Show” host still has a few zingers on standby.
Leno was promoting his new CNBC series “Jay Leno’s Garage” at the NBC Television Critics Association press tour on Thursday, but took time to weigh in on the current political climate.
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“It’s interesting to watch this whole thing unfold,” Leno said of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. “He and Jeb Bush are frontrunners. … It’s kind of like a race between the tortoise and the bad hair.”
Leno also discussed his perception of the late-night atmosphere since signing off in 2014.
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Regarding Stephen Colbert’s upcoming “Late Show” debut, Leno expressed confidence in the Comedy Central personality’s transition to a network audience.
“I think he’ll be terrific,” Leno said. “He’s smart. … I think he’ll do well with mainstream America.”
Leno went on, explaining why Colbert may be more approachable than his skeptics think. Those only familiar with his brash cable persona, Leno said, could be surprised to learn the man himself is quite “conservative,” at least in terms of his personality.
“People forget he taught Sunday school,” Leno said.
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Leno admitted he has no current plans to guest on Colbert’s “Late Show,” for obvious reasons.
“I’m kind of loyal to ‘The Tonight Show’ and to Jimmy [Fallon],” the TV legend explained, but did share thoughts on the platform’s overall landscape.
“The idea of a white guy in late night, this is revolutionary,” he deadpanned.
In addition to the genre being “certainly ready for a woman,” Leno added that he didn’t understand the continued lack of racial diversity in the hosting lineup as well.
“Arsenio [Hall] really blew things open 20 years ago,” he said. “I don’t know why we haven’t had someone else come in, just for a different perspective.”
“Jay Leno’s Garage” premieres Oct. 7 at 10 ET/PT on CNBC.
— Erin Biglow
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