Jay wants you (maybe)
While David Letterman continues his gala "Ventriloquist Week" ...
and everyone who remembers Charlie McCarthy say amen ... I said, EVERYONE WHO -- oh, forget it ...
Jay Leno is actually trying to improve his cred with the young demographic. He's looking for a new correspondent. And just like the World Series of Poker, the contest is open to all.
NBC’S ‘THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO’ SEEKS NEW NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT TO TAKE IT TO THE STREETS
“Who Wants to Be the Next
‘Tonight Show’ Correspondent?” Search Invites Viewers to Submit
Video for a Chance to Join the Likes of Howie Mandel, Tom Green and
Kevin Smith, Among Others
BURBANK – September 18, 2006 – NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” is looking for its next correspondent to join the likes of Howie Mandel (NBC’s “Deal or No Deal”), Tom Green, Niecy Nash, Kevin Smith, Ross the Intern and Mo Rocca.
The #1-rated late-night talk show announced the search for a new correspondent on Monday in “Who Wants to Be the Next ‘Tonight Show’ Correspondent?” as the program invites viewers who think they have the gift of gab to submit video or DVD. Each submission will be considered by a panel from the “Tonight Show’s” producers and writers.
Ross Mathews, better known as ‘Ross The Intern,’ began working the phones at “The Tonight Show” in 2001. His outgoing personality and natural humor caught the attention of the shows writers and on the last day of his internship they sent him to cover the “Oceans 11” star-studded premiere. Now the former intern has jet set around the world covering events such as the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics and submitted pieces such as “My Day Shopping in London with Gwenyth Paltrow.”
Mathews implores viewers to
send in their tapes, "I am the perfect example of someone who was
plucked from obscurity and given an opportunity to make my dreams come
true. If it weren't for The Tonight Show, I'd be working at a kiosk
in a mall somewhere - not that there's anything wrong with that."
Even more recently, Mathews
has been hired by NBC to, in addition to his correspondent work on “The
Tonight Show,” write a daily blog for “The Tonight Show” website as
well host and produce an upcoming behind the scenes web-show with announcer
John Melendez called “The John and Ross Show.” Mathews is entering
his 5th year on assignment for the show.
Complete rules and tips on producing the videos interested parties can visit www.nbc.com./tonightshow. “Who Wants to Be the Next ‘Tonight Show’ Correspondent?” is not a contest and the submission period does not close.
“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” is from Big Dog Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studios. Debbie Vickers is the executive producer.
