LENO CLAPS AT HIS OWN JOKES-MILKING THE AUDIENCE-THAT'S SAD.

THE KUHNS REPORT

LAS VEGAS - Hello America, and how is the world treating you?

Folks, maybe it is time for Jay Leno to go. Ever since he came back on his show after his long absence from the Tonight Show he got into the very bad habit of clapping at his own jokes to milk the audience for applause.

Most comedians of the past could stand on their own comedy materials merit and if it warranted applause by the audience, they would clap at the joke. I can remember comedians like Bob Hope, Jack Benny,  Red Skelton, Johnny Carson delivering comedy lines to an audience and received applause on  the jokes presentation and timing. They never clapped at their own jokes or clapped to have the audience begin a round of applause. These comedians stood on the stage with their hands behind their back, in their pocket and some even held an object, like a pencil or pen to occupy their hands while on stage. But not Leno, he begins to clap in order to have the audience respond with applause.

To me it is embarrassing to watch such a talent milk the audience for applause. It should be embarrassing to Leno too but apparently he feels the needs to prime the audience.

This bad habit of Leno's clapping  in order to have the audience respond with applause has become more prevalent week after week. What does he think the audience will do when he begins clapping at his own joke? Naturally, like a bunch of sheep, they will begin clapping too - -and he knows this.

It's sad to watch. Here's a man that used to stand before an audience and deliver comedic lines and the audience would applaud when they enjoyed the material. But now, NO WAY, the audience is trained, like a trained seal to applaud when Leno claps at his own jokes. Naturally, the audience feels the obligation to applaud when Leno stands before them and  leads them  on by clapping.  What Leno is doing in front of his audience reminds me of the canned laughter and laugh tracks that are inserted into the many television sitcoms that can't stand on their own.  So, yes - -maybe it is time for Leno to move on. His actions on his Late Night Show with his milking the audience for applause turns me off from  attending any of his live performances  here in Las Vegas. Personally, I want to enjoy a comedians act by laughing and applauding when I feel like it - - based on the material, timing and presentation of the joke and not when the stand-up comedy person feels he should have applause on certain lines. - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decisions. You decide.

Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
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Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com