Firefighter Audience Helps Jay Leno Celebrate Thanksgiving
California’s firefighters once again answered the call this fall, responding to devastating fires and saving thousands of homes.
Jay Leno wanted to say thank you in person. So Leno invited CPF members from throughout the state to fill his audience November 26th, as part of his Thanksgiving Eve episode. Some 200-250 firefighters attended "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," which was taped Wednesday afternoon and aired on NBC at 11:35pm that night.
“Firefighters all over the state of California ... save countless homes with their quick thinking and their bravery," said Leno in welcoming first responders to his "Tonight Show" audience. "It’s an honor to have you all here."
In honor of his firefighter audience, Leno showed humorous fire video and joked about firefighters being at the ready to handle the effects of deep-fried Thanksgiving turkeys.
Band leader Kevin Eubanks joined in the fun, wearing a CDF Nomex coat and inviting firefighters on stage between segments.
“They saved my house one year,” said an appreciative Eubanks.
After the show, CPF President Lou Paulson presented the "Tonight Show" host with a framed ax and Leno posed for photos with CPF members. Firefighters from as far away as Oakland and Sacramento took part in the event.
“It’s always nice when firefighters get kudos from the public we serve,” said Paulson. “Jay Leno has been a friend of our profession and we deeply appreciate the warm welcome he extended to our members."
It was the second time that CPF members had been invited to participate in "The Tonight Show." Leno invited an audience of firefighters to attend a 2003 taping, after the massive firestorms that year. On that occasion, the Pipes and Drums of the California Professional Firefighters performed.