By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
May 7, 1998
There is a nightly ritual to the “Tonight Show” at the Rosemont Theatre. Before the taping starts, the Freebie Guy arrives to pass out T-shirts and caps.
People do the most embarrassing things for this swag. On Wednesday, a guy flipped over a chair trying to catch a Frisbee. He missed. Women are invited on stage to dance_but they’re encouraged to take off their blazers or sweaters to show a little skin. The few men picked are told to strip their shirts as a Village People song plays in the background.
It’s all in good fun, but there’s something a little pathetic about the spectacle.
Arsenio Hall could have been, too; his new series is months away, and right now he has nothing to promote. But the comic wowed the crowd on Wednesday. “On” from the moment he entered, Hall peppered his segment with observations such as: “Go away, O.J. Wherever Marv Albert is, just go find him.”
Another highlight was host Jay Leno’s search for his announcer, Edd Hall. Once he found Hall at “The Jerry Springer Show,” the two got into a mock fistfight.
Springer will be a guest tonight. Also appearing: musicians Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang, and animal trainer Sid Yost with Chicago-themed critters.
