During Monday’s “Tonight Show,” Jay Leno announced his plan to do a free comedy show for the unemployed men and women of Detroit. In a state suffering with the highest jobless rate in the nation, the tickets for the Michigan show will be distributed on the honor system, going to anyone who says they are unemployed.
Leno is a big car aficionado and Detroit, one of his favorite places: “I like Detroit, and between the Lions and the mayor being in jail, it’s been a rough year, so people can use a few laughs,” Leno quipped.
Parking and soft drinks will also be “on the house” for the 24,000 lucky ticket holders, thanks to the Palace theater and Pepsi. If the show, slated for April 7 goes well, he’d like to do more of them at other places across the country.
The concept of a free concert to bring cheer and optimism to the unemployed lends a 2009 spin to the long tradition of performers giving back, wrote the Detroit newspaper.
I heard Leno announce this when I watched the show Monday night. I really got the impression that he’s coming from a good place and his intentions are good ones.