Rove McManus on Leno Recap: 3rd Time's a Charm

Rove McManus posts are a regular feature on this blog. For readers unfamiliar with Rove-which is most of you-he is a chat show host in Australia and I'm his biggest USA watcher. My love of Australian TeeVee dates back to early childhood- despite the fact I am not Australian. I know, I'm different. That's why you keep reading!

This was Rove's third time on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and it was a charm to watch. Yes, I know I have a slight bias, but really Rove's Leno visit was awesome.

As he introduced him, Leno called him "the most popular talk show host in Australia." When Rove walked out, he looked sharp and confident. Both qualities stayed with him throughout the interview. Unlike the last two times, I felt this time he was more relaxed. Also, interesting to note, this may be the first time I've seen Rove in a proper tie.

Remember, 99.9% of America has no clue who Rove is - even though at one time Rove was rumored to be shortlisted to take Leno's spot in 2009.

The jokes, many about experiences in airplane travel, were on point. The audience was exceptionally warm to him and his Aussie brand of humor. They followed along despite his tendency to talk fast. There was one slightly lame reference to Snakes on a Plane but Rove slide right on through 3rd without a skid mark.

Then Leno and Rove traded experiences about hosting a show and having to watch craptastic movies. Sparked from the Snakes on a Plane reference.

The interview ended with commentary on Rove's "20 Bucks in 20 seconds bit." The bit always ends with the question "who would you turn gay for?" And even the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, is not immune to being asked (he just never answers). The clip Rove chose to use was when an Aussie guest told him he'd turn gay for noneotherthan Rove - and then FULL ON PASHED HIM. (Kissed him full on the lips.)

I laughed when I first saw this on Youtube (Thanks Givesyouwings!) and I laughed even harder when I saw it, not in a little box, but clear as day on my television set.

If I had to grade Rove's 3rd visit, I'd give it a solid A. It's a shame he's not on in the US because he'd have a lot of appeal - not just because he's got a cute accent (oh you know you love the Strine), but because he's actually funny, and not forcibly so.

Thanks for the US visit Rove. If you're ever in Michigan, you know to Surf Unsalted, ring me up. And, if I'm ever in the land of Oz - you should hire me to work for Roving Enterprises. Just sayin'.

Photo (C) Richard Cisar-wright