Jay Wisely Withholds His Announcement During Fred Thompson Interview

Many people thought Jay might use Tuesday's visit by Fred Thompson to announce Jay's own candidacy for president. We even suggested it in a previous post. But Jay once again proved his political brilliance by choosing to remain mum on his own plans.

Reviewing Jay's seven minute interview with Thompson, it's clear Jay realized that the timing just wasn't right for his own declaration. Thompson's "non-announcement" and references to warm water and Fredheads added zero excitement to Tuesday's Tonight Show. Thompson's flat, dull demeanor, along with his "made for black & white TV" suit provided very few comedic footholds for Jay, who must have known the interview was cratering or he never would have allowed Thompson to discuss Iran (yawn). You know things are getting interminably insipid when a comic genius like Jay has to steer a guest to talk about Iran in order to liven things up. Sadly, Thompson missed his cue on that one, too.

Things might have improved if Jay had accidentally knocked over his coffee cup on Thompson, or created some other gaff or pratfall to liven things up. Unfortunately, Jay was once again forced to take the highroad by enduring Thompson's visit and suggesting that Fred would be welcomed back whenever he wants to announce his candidacy.

As with Jay's previous interviews with presidential hopefuls, Fred's appearance further demonstrated the stark contract between Jay's bubbly,universally appealing persona and the bland, hum-drum appeal of Thompson, whose vague and undistinctive Pablum has somehow found favor with the heavily uninspired Republican party. Imagine having to endure four years of listening to Fred Thompson! For our money, or more precisely, for the lack thereof, Jay Leno would be a lot more fun and a much more enjoyable president.

For those who are reading this who didn't have the chance to see Jay's interview with Thompson last night or for those who started to watch, but couldn't stomach more than fifteen seconds, here's the YouTube link of that disaster. We know we're running the risk of you never getting back here after the coma that the video might induce, but we're hoping that if and when you recover, you'll come back here to support Jay with the zest and enthusiasm he deserves.