For those of us dreading Leno’s return to NBC — and indeed, we exist — it is difficult to imagine what could turn our attention to his 10 p.m. whatever-it-is-going-to-be show. Promos seem to indicate he’ll spend a lot of time talking about cars, showing off his cars, and making other people race cars. Given that the last thing I want to think about in this economy is the nearly eradicated American auto industry, “enticing” is not the word I’d use for this theme.
Still, certain names do pique the interest, perhaps none more so than Pee-Wee Herman, a.k.a. Paul Reubens, who will join Jay on Sept 22. The erstwhile children’s television star will likely be there to discuss his role in Life During Wartime — Todd Solondz’s sequel to his own Happiness, making the film festival rounds this fall — as well as the return of his stage show in L.A. come November. Since all but vanishing after that nasty child pornography to-do a couple years back, it should be interesting to see how triumphant a career resurrection Reubens can stage, and this is clearly a step in that process. Interesting enough to make me put up with Leno? Eh. That remains to be seen.
What about you, PopWatchers? What wacky/seldom-seen/interesting guest could get you to tune into Leno, if you, like me, remain skeptical that he should be eating up any more of our valuable airtime?
