Jay Leno has announced the first guest for his new NBC primetime program, "The Jay Leno Show"; Jerry Seinfeld.
An NBC spokesman confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that Seinfeld will appear on the series premiere on Sept. 14.
Seinfeld, who appeared on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" six times, is expected to sit down for a chat with Leno as well as do stand-up.
Seinfeld is expected to promote his Ceasars Palace performances 12/26-27, an upcoming "Seinfeld"-themed story arc on HBO comedy "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which premieres Sept. 20. Seinfeld's forthcoming NBC reality series, "The Marriage Ref," is slated for midseason. It is not known if the comedian will promote the show during this appearance.
Seinfield will join musical guests Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West for the first "The Jay Leno Show" episode.
Beginning September 14, "The Jay Leno Show" will air weeknights at 10/9c on NBC. For more information visit www.thejaylenoshow.com.
Jay Leno is gearing up for a new adventure in television with the fall premiere of "The Jay Leno Show." The show will be the first-ever entertainment program to be stripped across primetime on broadcast network television and will showcase many of the features that have made Leno America's late-night leader for more than a dozen years.
Before Leno followed in the footsteps of legendary NBC late-night hosts Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson as the host of the Emmy Award-winning and top-rated "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," he honed his comedy in clubs all over the country often exceeding 300 dates per year. He opened for the likes of Tom Jones and John Denver, and after moving to Los Angeles began his career in television and film, both writing behind the scenes and making appearances in shows such as "Welcome Back Kotter" and films including "American Hot Wax." On March 2, 1977, Leno made his first appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and was named permanent guest host in 1987. While he took over the desk full-time in 1992, Leno never stopped touring on the comedy circuit and still averages over 150 gigs a year.
Leno, recently named America's Favorite TV Personality by the 2009 Harris Poll, continues to keep in touch with people by shaking hands and getting "one-on-one" time with audiences all over the country, whether he takes the stage at a small club or at his weekly shows in Vegas. Perhaps this is why he continues to exude the "everyman" style and personality that have helped him earn millions of fans worldwide. He has been touted as one of the nicest people in show business and undeniably the hardest working -- a winning tandem for the man who says: "Anyone can have a life - careers are hard to come by!"
The comedian is not just for grown-ups. Appealing to a younger generation, Leno has authored two New York Times best-selling children's books, "How to be the Funniest Kid in the Whole Wide World (Or Just In Your Class)" and "If Roast Beef Could Fly" (both from Simon & Schuster). His other book, "Leading with My Chin" (from HarperCollins), hit the bookstores in 1998. He also has published four versions of "Headlines," the compilation of books and desk calendars featuring his favorite funny newspaper headlines, and "Police Blotter," a book with more humorous newspaper clips involving police stories (book proceeds go to various charities).
In addition to working on the launch of "The Jay Leno Show," his worldwide stand-up comedy appearances around the country and his writing career, Leno can also include Emmy-nominated internet star/producer to his resume. In 2006, the car aficionado brought his expertise to the web; fans can peek into Jay's famous garage by logging on to www.jaylenosgarage.com.
Leno was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., and raised in Andover, Massachusetts. He and his wife, Mavis, live in Los Angeles. In his spare time, he enjoys working on his collection of classic cars and motorcycles.
