STORM2K

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54655-2004Feb19.html

WASHINGTON - Jay Leno's new announcer on NBC's "The Tonight Show" will be "Stuttering" John Melendez from Howard Stern's radio show, a spokeswoman said.



Melendez will start March 29, replacing Edd Hall, who's leaving the show after 12 years to concentrate on doing movies.

He is working with a speech coach to help with his announcing, a "Tonight Show" spokeswoman told The Associated Press Wednesday.

Besides announcing, Melendez will be in sketches and will go out on interviews. Melendez is famous for embarrassing the people he talks to, but he won't be doing that sort of interview for Leno, the spokeswoman said.

"Tonight Show" executives became interested in Melendez after seeing him on the ABC reality show "I'm a Celebrity: Get Me out of Here." The spokeswoman said Melendez came across as a "peacemaker" and "family man."

I wish Melendez the very BEST on the "Tonight Show".

Another stuttering celebrity among a handful is Mel Tillis...and of course it's impossible to stutter while singing!

Also, ABC's 20/20 reporter John Stossel overcame stuttering...as did actor/orator James Earl Jones.

Eric

I have a good friend who stutters like there is no tomorrow, but man, can he belt out a song.

Skywatch_NC wrote:I wish Melendez the very BEST on the "Tonight Show".

Another stuttering celebrity among a handful is Mel Tillis...and of course it's impossible to stutter while singing!

Also, ABC's 20/20 reporter John Stossel overcame stuttering...as did actor/orator James Earl Jones.

Eric

Jones has an awesome speaking voice.

Yes, I can hear him now


"Welcome to Verizon Wireless"

GalvestonDuck wrote:

Skywatch_NC wrote:I wish Melendez the very BEST on the "Tonight Show".

Another stuttering celebrity among a handful is Mel Tillis...and of course it's impossible to stutter while singing!

Also, ABC's 20/20 reporter John Stossel overcame stuttering...as did actor/orator James Earl Jones.

Eric

Jones has an awesome speaking voice.

I really enjoyed his voice-over for the "Lion King" 's Mefthusah (sp?)!

I heard that "Stuttering" John Melendez will be replacing Edd Hall on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on The Fox Report. Interesting choice for Hall's replacement.

James Earl Jones also has been saying, "This is CNN!" for several years... and I saw ABC News' John Stossel on Hannity & Colmes Wednesday night. I can basically hear him stuttering, good that these people were able to overcome this problem.