After 17 years, Jay Leno has left the Tonight Show. Leno wants his legacy defined by the 60+ children born to his staff–many of whom met and married through the Tonight Show. The final show on Friday May 29, 2009, reminded me of the kindness and class that kept my wife Suzanne and I watching these past 14 years. Why only 14? Because it was 14 years ago in January 1995 that Suzanne and I appeared on the Tonight Show.
I was traveling out to California to meet Suzanne for the first time. We were standing in line hoping to get into the show, when two of the writers interviewed us and asked us if we wanted to be in a sketch.
We spent the next 30 minutes in the Green Room waiting for our cue to enter the studio. Our only instruction was to sit on the steps. When Jay asked, “why are you two not in a seat,” we were instructed to say, “there were no seats left for us.” After that, Jay was to make a joke and that would be the end of our TV debut.. or would it? Check out this video!
Suzanne and Joey on the Tonight Show from Joe Miller on Vimeo.
During commercial breaks Jay came over to us in the car and asked, “how are you two doing?” He made sure we were comfortable and well taken care of. After the show, he invited us onto the stage for a photo. We sat in the “star” chairs an Jay said, “Joe, I know your parents live in PA and are on a 3 hour difference. You probably wont make it home in time to tell them to watch the show. Would you like to call them?” Jay then picked up the phone that is kept behind the desk and called my parents to tell them, “your son is on the show tonight, be sure to watch!”
It turns out that our appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno was the first time my family would see my future wife Suzanne.
Now Suzanne and I can say our first “date” was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno an we too are a small part of his legacy 
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That is amazing! But I must ask why do you have on that hideous Penn State shirt! Wolverines are #1 in the Big Ten and will always be (as soon as someone can beat ol’ Jim in the horrible state of Ohio)!
What a cool story, Joe! You two sure have been around!
This is one of the coolest stories! I can’t believe I didn’t know this about you guys :-0
How bad did the Wolverines loose to the Lions the past 2 seasons? LOL Keep cheering them on brother! They will turn it around soon–no doubt!
You are now officially the coolest church planter I know…
That was hilarious. God is an awesome hilarious God!
Gotta hand it to you for being on the show, not sure I’d even darken his stairs, especially his condom joke, but you know I pray the Lord uses that to touch his heart and call you guys up one day and ask about salvation!
I must have missed this in June! That’s cool, bro.
Gotta love the “Oral Roberts-condom” joke from Leno.