Jay Leno..sly devil! Miley Cyrus ambushed on Tonight Show...

 

Miley displays lack of class on occasion!

That Jay Leno is such a sly character!

Once again, I sat back in my cozy Hotel suite in San Francisco, and marvelled at his clever maneuverings.

For the longest time, I surmised that when a guest plunked down on the couch on the Tonight Show, that he just winged it!

No way, Jose!

It struck me this evening, that the King of the late night talk circuit carefully plots his course, and usually ends up at the finish line light years ahead of his unsuspecting guests!

Duh, what just happened?

The dazed look on their faces, says it all.

They've obviously been left in a lurch.

Since late-night chats are filmed live - a guest has to be quick-on-their feet (even nimble of mind) - if they don't want to end up with egg on their face (after blurting out something silly that's bound to haunt their image for years to come).

It doesn't help matters much, unless the guest is a total egomaniac or in love with themself, that in the glare of that spotlight the moment is so intense that it ends up being downright surreal.

Years ago, I just about fell through the studio stage floor during a live interview, when I was posed a question out-of-the-blue that took me totally by surprise.

For example - one day I was invited on the "Vancouver Show" (CKVU) - to discuss my successful career as a male model.

The host was insightful and well-informed - and for the most part - the interview moved along without any hitches.

Then, the interviewer leaned in close without warning, and uttered up a comment that sent  me for a loop.

"Now for the big question," he chuckled with a penetrating gaze into my eyes.

At first, I thought that he was going to ask how much money male models make, if the fashion industry was a lucrative area for men, that sort of thing.

I was clueless!

Then, another sinister thought streaked through my grey matter at lightning speed.

Oh, he's probably going to ask if there is a casting couch, or something scandalous like that (I thought to myself).

Got to think about generating controversy and ratings, folks!

So, when he popped the question he did, I was so taken aback that I panicked at first.

"Are most male models gay," he asked me somewhat pointedly.

I was flabberghasted.

For starters, you have to consider the fact that this interview took place in the eighties.

In those days, questions of a highly sensitive personal nature were normally off-limits.

Interviewers stopped short of going "there".

Today, it is quite a different story, however.

Of course, many will recall that infamous moment on ABC - when Barbara Walters popped the question to Pop Singer Ricky Martin - on one of her ratings-getting TV specials.

"Ricky, are you gay?"

His awkward silence - and refusal to utter up a response - said it all!

Frankly, I never even saw the question coming when Cox posed  it to me, so irrelevant was it to me in my frame of mind during that heady (open-minded) era.

I quickly collected my thoughts and proceeded to point out to the host (Wayne Cox, I believe) that the roles of women and men were rapidly changing in society.

"Women go to work. Men stay at home with the kids."

In essence, I was hinting - that just because a guy pursues a career as a male model - doesn't  mean that he is necessarily "gay".

The response appeared to satisfy his curiosity because he moved on

My friends thought I handled the potentially devastating question with great aplomb.

But later, after I mulled the incident over a bit, I wanted to kick myself.

I should have said something funny!

"I don't know. I haven't slept with them all," might have been one reponse apt to trigger a roar of laughter from the studio audience. 

Who knows!

A bit of levity goes a long way, after all.

For example, when it was learned that Marilyn Monroe posed for nude photos, it was expected that a scandal was going to break out and ruin her career.

But, Marilyn's quick wit saved the day.

"What did you have on when you were being photographed," one pushy reporter quizzed her pointedly as he swooped in for the kill.

"The radio," she giggled without batting a pretty eyelash.

The paparazzi went wild!

Of course, the photos in question were the publicity stills of Marilyn Monroe in-the-buff that were eventually used for the legendary calendar that is a coveted collector's item 'til this day.

When Miley Cyrus dashed out from behind the curtain this evening, it struck me that the young songbird expected to steer the conversation down the path of her choosing.

But, within seconds of alighting in the glare of the spotlight, Jay was probing for material to satisfy his own agenda.

"So, you were on Idol last night," he started off slowly (almost under his breath).

For some inexplicable reason, Miley was inclined to downplay the high-profile appearance on the Fox Network, and gave the impression she wanted to move on.

But, Jay was on the scent of something, so he persisted (much to her surprise).

"I hear you got a standing ovation."

For a fleeting moment, it appeared that Miley was reluctant to go there.

Then, she caved in.

"Yes."

"Was that your first standing ovation?" the affable host quizzed further.

She nodded and whispered something that was inaudible at my end of the old boob tube.

At this juncture, Jay proceeded to broadcast a clip from American Idol.

Was the Pop Star warned in advance?

Judging from her reaction, probably not.

Other information Jay tried to pry out of her was a little slow in bubbling up.

And, on occasion, the responses were downright pat.

She did light up - and relax a little - when the conversation turned to her new boyfriend who stars opposite Miley in her upcoming feature film release.

"We have this scene where we frolic in the water. So I frolic very well apparently, and after that I got to keep him."

Keep him?

Then she got a little goofy.

Miley confieed in Jay that she checked out his parents to see how well they will age in the future.

"He looked good and he's got a full head of hair," she said about her beau's dad.

At this point, the popular chanteuse surmised that the only reason she had any guy friends was because her mother was so hot.

Huh?

Miley's got some kooky ideas floating around inside that pretty little head!

And, all you struggling actors, listen up.

If you want to land a part in Hollywood, be sure to open the door for the leading lady.

If you're to believe Miley, the fact that her studly new date was thoughtful in that regard, landed him the high-profile role sure to launch his career into the stratosphere when the film hits the silver screen.

"I was like, wow, that is super impressive."

I actually turned to the director and said:

 'He's got the job.' He's hot and he opened the door. Excellent."

Does Miley have that much clout in Tinsel Town?

Imagine what kind of booby prize he gets if he ventures farther!

A Ferrari perhaps?

What did I take away from the interview?

Ms. Cyrus is a high-strung strong-willed gal who doesn't like people leading her around by the pretty nose.

Yes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

By the way, that squawky speaking voice of hers, drives me up the wall.

It's worse than the sound of nails on a chalkboard?

Ouch!

Part of her "Valley girl" charm, I guess.

Jay, thanks for fathoming up a facet of Miley's personality, which I surmise is  just the tip of the iceberg.

Is Miley a control freak?

You bet!

It may be her undoing!

Miley says it was the "door" that opened her heart!

(I say it was all about "abs")

http://www.thetattler.biz

Barack Obama...touches down in my "homeland". Anti-American sentiment once real...

Barack Obama flew into Ottawa to meet with the Prime Minister - and according to news reports - was given a hearty welcome by a posse of high-spirited Canucks!

One reveller manipulated the wording on a tag from a well-known Beer Commercial popular above the border to get a message across.

"Yes we CANada!"

By the way, our Canadian ale packs a bigger wallop than those pi**y American brands.

Hope you chug-a-lugged one, Barack!

A local bakery one-upped, though, by serving commemorative "Obama Tails" - a version of the beaver-tail fried-dough pastry - topped with a maple-syrup flavored frosting in the shape of an Obama "O".


There was time when my fellow countrymen may have shaken their fists - or given the "finger" to a U.S. President - on the heels of which they may have angrily shouted:

"Yankee Go Home!"

Having been raised in the great white north - in the suburbs of Toronto - I have always been keenly aware of the anti-American sentiments that run deep in the Canadian psyche.

Years ago, Canadians felt that the U.S. was gobbling up the country.

In fact, I recall a joke from my youth, that said it all:

"America drinks Canada Dry."

Many Canadians didn't much like living in the shadow of a major super power, either.

On occasion, when disputes arose over fishing territory, the price of lumber, or an outbreak of mad cow disease on a wild outreach at a cattle farm in Calgary, it was fists across than border.

When I was a kid, I recall that adults were particularly put off - by what they perceived - as a vulgar respect for the almighty dollar in America.

Why, the U.S. mint even etched a handful of sacred symbols on the greenback - an all-seeing eye in a pyramid, the awesome image of an eagle, even mystical symbols - then crowned 'em with an uplifting spiritual message.

In God We Trust."

Even so, Canadians were ever wary of their neighbors to the south.

At one point, the Canadian Government became troubled by the fact that the airwaves over Canadian space, were being dominated by broadcasts of trite sitcoms and fluffy action-adventure dramas from below the border.

To shore up the Canadian identity (ha!) the CRTC implemented stringent requirements that a portion of shows broadcast daily must contain Canadian Content.



In Vancouver, CKVU circumvented that little hurdle by broadcasting a two-hour live show - packed with local celebrities, National News, and endless dog & pony shows - to meet their staggering quota.






Local on air personalities like Pia Shandel (who later married into the wealthy Southam Family), and Laurier La Pierre (who?), saw their stars rise in Hollywood North!



And, don't get me started about run-a-way production and greedy producers in Tinsel Town struggling to keep a stranglehold on the whole pie!

Shortly after landing on Canuck turf, Obama thanked supporters who trekked stateside during the elections last fall to work on his campaign.

I expect the folks he was referring to - in part consisted of a handful of "snowbirds" - retirees who migrate south each year to escape the bitter-cold winters.

After all, for half-of-the-year, this sector of Canadian Society is inclined to be mindful of the way Uncle Sam is running things during the duration of their cozy stay at their properties in Florida and other states in that region of the country.

Of course, Barack was probably singling out a number of draft dodgers, no doubt, who took flight to escape the draft during the Vietnam War and tricky Dick's rein of terror.

Most, have since become legal residents of Canada since.

The Government sponsored an amnesty program a couple of decades ago - much like the one the U.S. Government implemented in 1986 - to resolve the long-standing issue of illegal aliens within Canadian borders.

As to the current war?

Although I was residing in the U.S. when the Iraq War broke out, I felt very proud of my countrymen - and Government - when the decision was made not to go full-throttle and get involved in the "Imperialist Occupation" of that Nation.

Likewise, I gave my full support when Canada refused to become part of the "Star Wars" fiasco many years ago.

To some, Barack is probably a bit of an oddity.

Yes, Prime Minister Trudeau opened the "immigration" door wide a couple of decades ago.

And, today - because of it - Canada is a multi-cultural Nation.

But, when I was a boy, things were quite different north of the border.

I was raised in an all-white neighborhood, and attended district schools that were - likewise - entirely Caucasian in make-up.

The balance of race wasn't planned that way - truth of the matter is - there weren't many blacks residing in Canada during that era.

In fact, it wasn't until I attended Humberside High in the West End of Toronto as a teen, that I came into contact with a multitude of students with multi-cultural backgrounds.

In fact, one of my first new friends at Humberside - Shaheen - was a lively boy with dancing eyes - who hailed from India!

For the most part, Canadians are a generous kind-hearted people.

But, if you're an American visiting one of the major cities - Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver - you'll probably notice right-off-the-bat that Canucks are bit reserved and that they mind their own business.

Years ago, when I first moved to New York City, I always withdrew like a shrinking violet when strangers on the street - and die-hard New Yorkers in general - would get right up in-my-face.

And, ask frank questions, that would be considered rude in Canada.

Questions like - "How much rent do you pay" - are strictly verboten.

I guess it's a carry-over from the English Empire.

Politeness, giving people space, respecting privacy - yup - all Canadian traits.

Gosh, in view of that, I can't help but wonder.

How well did Barack and Harper get along?

Obama, if there were tense moments, don't blame yourself!

Harper is quite a conservative - an old-stuffed shirt - if you ask me.

Yes, time we had some young blood in politics in Ottawa.

Justin Trudeau, are you interested in carrying the torch?

http://www.julianayrs.com