By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
April 28, 1998
Last week, the “Late Show” flew 461 Chicagoans to New York to watch a taping of David Letterman’s CBS talk show. And next week, Jay Leno brings his “Tonight Show” to the Rosemont Theatre for a week.
The trip is a repeat performance for Leno, who brought his act here in 1996. Letterman broadcast his show from the Chicago Theatre for a week in 1989 and did a one-night stand two years ago at the Steppenwolf Theatre.
Why are these network bigwigs so enamored with Chicago? It’s a good publicity ploy.
Taking a show – especially something as predictably formated as a talk show – out of its natural element is an attention grabber. Like Letterman’s stunt on Friday, which gave him a rare local ratings victory over Leno, the “Tonight Show” trip coincides with the current sweeps period, which runs through May 20.
“(Chicago is) a good town for us,” said Leno, who has been here the past couple of weekends to scout sites and shoot segments that will air next week. “We’ve taken the show to Las Vegas, New York, Phoenix and San Antonio, but there’s no place like Chicago. It’s the only city where people bring signs. I can’t imagine L.A. or New York audiences bringing signs that say `Welcome, Jay.’ ”
Adds Phil Gallo, television reviews editor at Daily Variety, “Chicago is the largest celebrity-starved city in America, which makes it attractive to New York- and L.A.-based shows if they want to get some attention. Plus, you have a huge roster of theatrical people and comedians in Chicago to draw on. . . . If I’m Jay Leno and I suddenly want to do a skit with locals, I’ll have access to some great talent and won’t have to worry about flying them in.”
Chicago is one of the most identifiable cities in America, Gallo adds: “You can joke about Chicago or show landmarks like Wrigley Field or the Hancock building or the lake, and people across the country will already be aware of it.”
Leno said Chicago offers a refreshing take on how the country – outside of L.A. and New York – views things.
“I’ve always equated Chicago with my cousin Sophie’s wedding, because you don’t really know all the people there, but it seems like you’re somehow all related because you’re having such a good time,” Leno said.
