Meet Don Reed, "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" warm-up comic

If you think you have a tough commute, listen to this: every Friday, Don Reed warms up the crowd for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in Burbank, and then hops a plane home to the San Francisco Bay Area to perform his acclaimed one-man show, "East 14th: Tales of a Reluctant Player." The autobiographical show has been a huge hit for Reed; after a nine-month run at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco, where it played to sold-out crowds, the Marsh chose "East 14th" to open its brand-new performance space across the bay in Berkeley. It starts a new run tonight (March 5) at 9 PM and is scheduled to play through March 28; you can check the dates and buy tickets here. View some video clips of Don on his web site. And if you want to see him pump up the crowds each weekday before Leno takes the stage, here's the link for "Tonight Show" tickets.

Don was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to chat via email with Talk Show News. I caught the show in San Francisco, and it's hilarious and touching, telling the true story of a boy who lives with his devout, God-fearing mom and stepdad, but is fascinated by his father's exotic life, which is filled with wild parties, beautiful women and crazy characters. Turns out Dad is a pimp, which innocent young Don didn't pick up on: "I thought he was just really into hats." Reed plays every role, displaying amazing skills of mimickry. The East Bay Express newspaper called "East 14th" one of the 10 best shows of 2009, praising the actor's "rubber-band body, elegant disco dance moves, and acute comic timing."

Reed also served as the warm-up guy for "The Jay Leno Show," and followed the host back to "Tonight."

What's it been like working for Leno during the media firestorm that was Late Night Wars 2010?

I was an ad/promo producer at NBC back in '98 to 2000 and had heard Jay was a great guy. He was not my boss. He had no power over my position whatsoever -- and I really, really liked him. Then I started working with him directly as the warmup comedian and found he was even nicer than I'd heard, devoid of ego. I've never worked with anyone in the entire industry with that level of succe$$ and they were that sound and grounded. It truly befuddles me how some of the public got it mixed up and think he had anything whatsoever to do with the circus style that things turned out. But, he's back where he belongs and the show is hotter than ever. He allows me to bolt out on Fridays RIGHT at 5pm in time to make it to the Marsh Berkeley for a 9pm show.

[Incidentally, Reed claims he's only missed his 9 PM Friday curtain time once.]

How did you get the job as Jay's warm-up guy? Is this your first time doing a job like this on a talk show?

It was pretty tough -- a lot, lot, lot, lot, lot, lot of comics would jump off several buildings to get this gig. It's a dreaaam job. It's right in the hot seat of THE biggest stars from film, TV, sports, publishing, music -- you name it. I've been involved in audience warmup for over 2 decades. I've done it for everything from "Girlfriends" to "That 70's Show, " "Frasier" to "Blossom," "Malcolm & Eddie" to "Golden Girls" -- urban shows -- mainstream shows -- I've probably done it. It's a well paid position, but it's waaay harder than it looks. There's an art to it really -- that's why not just any comic can walk up and start doing it. It's a fine mixture of being great -- but really, genuinely making it about the show you're setting up.

Will we ever see you on the air, in a sketch or doing a comedy segment?

There have been a few hints in that direction -- but I'm in no hurry. This, in my mind, is a far better job than really hot road comics have to endure. No matter how famous, they have to switch cities, hotel rooms, planes, taxis and MISS THEIR FAMILIES! If you don't have one -- then awesome. But if you do -- it's heartbreaking. I did the college circuit for 5 years straight -- over 400 colleges -- performed in every state in the country (except North Dakota... hmm?) -- but I wasn't home, ya know. This allows me to do stand-up every single day and stay in town. Presently I ONLY fly to the Bay Area to perform. 45 minutes away. I absolutely, truly love that... well... Until I'm back here and my mother starts trying to tell me what to do.

Have you been able to do "East 14th" in L.A.? Do you think you'll be taking it to other cities after the Marsh run ends?

Yes, the show ran in Los Angeles for 5 months -- got recognition and played Off Broadway the entire summer of 2008. I was just driving this morning thinking, "Maybe I should just do ONE big show in LA a month." One show because LA is a movie-tv show town. It's nowhere near as linked and channeled into the power and magic of theatre like the Bay Area. Not even close.

What's it been like to perform the show in the East Bay?

The Marsh audience is very, very diverse, as are San Francisco and Berkeley. I am seeing a lot more East Bay people though -- simply because it's right there. The laughter is just as loud -- however, the room seats more people, so perhaps it's even louder. Honestly, I'm too locked into the characters to really distinguish the difference. All kinds of people come -- turns out the story of a young teen pressured to be in that ultra strict religion where they knock on your door at 7 o'clock in the morning -- only to move in with his real dad and discover he's a pimp is a universal story. A fish waaaay outta water story.