Laughs galore at sold out Genesee when Jay Leno rolls through marathon monologue

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

With a gazillion TV and film credits to his name, including more than 20 years hosting “The Tonight Show” right up through “Jay Leno’s Garage,” the Emmy Award-winning comic of the same name could’ve talked about absolutely anything at an entirely sold out Genesee Theatre. And for roughly 100 minutes, “the hardest working man in show business” basically rolled through a marathon monologue comprised of every current event imaginable, alongside personal and even local references to his legendary career.

But slogging it out in those dives definitely paid off as Leno can now count himself amongst the most famous comics all the world over, who may be the first to admit he’s getting older and becoming absolutely invisible to women (outside of that private nurse for the elderly who asked for a call if he ever needed her services), but at least he hasn’t lost an ounce of edge.

Outside of a few smiles and waves as he walked to the microphone, Jay Leno wasted no time getting right into the thick of the ongoing sexual harassment scandal, from movie producer Harvey Weinstein playing with himself in front of a potted plant after being rejected by a lust interest, to referencing disgraced actor Kevin Spacey as his Uber driver. As indiscretions abounded, the Hollywood Walk of Famer and member of the Television Hall of Fame naturally made his way to Bill Clinton from awhile back, then caught everyone up to speed on the Donald Trump/Stormy Daniels saga with side-splitting wit.

No one was safe or off limits as Leno barbed both sides of the political line, and while there was never a shortage of salacious punchlines, he kept the tone generally clean, relying on genuine talent and comedic timing over shock value. Perhaps that’s what keeps audiences of all ages coming back so consistently, dating all the way back to his early Mister Kelly’s club days in Chicago (and frequent encounters with the mobsters who had a stake in the scene).

Along the way, there were hysterical observations of Hugh Hefner’s legacy, Caitlyn Jenner’s “he said/she said” autobiography, America’s fast food diet turned obesity epidemic, plus the advantages and drawbacks of hybrid cars. Leno also commented on the classy ascetics of the Genesee, especially compared to that one strip club where the only lights came from the helmets purchased by male patrons hoping to get a closer look at the ladies.

But slogging it out in those dives definitely paid off as Leno can now count himself amongst the most famous comics all the world over, who may be the first to admit he’s getting older and becoming absolutely invisible to women (outside of that private nurse for the elderly who asked for a call if he ever needed her services), but at least he hasn’t lost an ounce of edge. At 67, who knows how much longer the New York native turned California transplant with be touring, but in the meantime, never miss the chance to see the star leap off the television onto the stage.

Click here for more photos of Jay Leno at the Genesee Theatre.

For additional information on Jay Leno, visit NBC.com/Jay-Lenos-Garage.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Genesee Theatre include Jo Koy (Apr. 15); The Kinks’ Dave Davies and The Smithereens with Gin Blossoms’ Robin Wilson (Apr. 19); Lisa Lampanelli (Apr. 20); Femmes Of Rock (May 4); Charles Esten and Clare Bowen (May 11); Grand Funk Railroad and Rick Derringer (May 17); Smash Mouth and Spin Doctors (May 18) and Rick Springfield (May 20). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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Laughs galore at sold out Genesee when Jay Leno rolls through marathon monologue

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