The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Season 9 Episode 98 Penelope Cruz, Christopher Lowell, Usher
- August 12, 2001
Penelope Cruz, Christopher Lowell, and Usher join Jay Leno on the ninth season's ninety-eighth episode of The Tonight Show. The show starts with Jay giving his monologue, in which he cracks jokes about various current events and pop culture moments. He also interacts with the studio audience, asking them about their weekend plans and making small talk.
Jay then welcomes the first guest, Penelope Cruz. She's there to promote her new film, Volver, which had been released recently. The Spanish actress talks about the movie and her experience working with the director, Pedro Almodovar. She also shares some behind-the-scenes stories that involve shooting in Spain and working with the rest of the cast, which includes her good friend, Carmen Maura. Cruz charms the audience with her wit and grace, and gets a warm round of applause when the interview ends.
Next up is Christopher Lowell, an interior designer and television personality. He has a show on the Discovery Channel called The Christopher Lowell Show, where he teaches viewers how to decorate their homes and spaces. Lowell brings some of his design tips and secrets to The Tonight Show and shows how to make simple changes to make a room more inviting. He also shares some of his favorite color combinations and lighting techniques. Jay jokes around with Lowell, quipping about his own lack of design sense, and the two engage in an amusing exchange.
The final guest of the night is Usher, a popular R&B singer and dancer. He's in the middle of a massive tour to promote his latest album, Confessions, and is happy to talk about his music and performances with Jay. Usher also gets invited to play a game with the host, where they try to identify classic soul songs from listening to a few seconds of their intros. The singer performs his chart-topping hit, "Yeah!", to a standing ovation from the studio audience.
Throughout the show, Jay also features some comedy sketches and bits, including a funny spoof of The Bachelor, and a segment called "Jaywalking," where he roams the streets of Los Angeles and asks random people trivia questions. The episode ends with Jay bidding farewell to the guests and the audience, and teasing the next night's show.
Overall, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno season 9 episode 98 offers a mix of celebrity interviews, entertainment, and humor. The guests represent different fields and interests, and Jay manages to keep the show lively and engaging with his wit and charm. The episode is a perfect example of the show's formula of combining entertainment and comedy, and delivering a fun and engaging experience to its viewers.