Airmen 'deal' with Mandel, Leno on 'Tonight Show'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erica Stewart
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
BURBANK, Calif. (AFPN) --  A group of California's Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen came together for a special military edition of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" Nov. 22 at NBC studios here.

Mr. Leno invited the servicemembers to fill the studio audience for the show's Thanksgiving edition to honor their service and dedication to the United States.

Guests on the show included singer Nelly Furtado, Jesse James from the Discovery Channel's "Monster Garage," and Howie Mandel, reality television host of NBC's "Deal or No Deal."

Mr. Mandel and Mr. Leno played a special military version of "Deal or No Deal" with the all-military studio audience that proved to be the favorite part of the experience for many of the Vandenberg AFB Airmen.

"My favorite part of the show was definitely the military "Deal or No Deal" contest," said Capt. Jason Largey, 30th Space Wing judge advocate.

Having a thick skin helped one Vandenberg AFB Airman who got the opportunity to talk with Mr. Mandel, Mr. Leno and the "Deal or No Deal" girls.

"I had several great comebacks come into my head after re-living Howie Mandell's jokes from my living room," said 2nd Lt. Sheena Storr, 30th Weather Squadron. "My husband reminded me, 'they get paid to have quick comebacks and embarrass people on TV.'"

She commented that being on the show, "ready and witty or not" was a surreal experience.

Lieutenant Storr helped the military audience win the play-at-home "gold briefcase," which included a $70-gift certificate to Staples, a certificate for a free Butterball turkey, cranberry sauce, the new Kevin Federline CD, a video iPod and dinner with the actor Fabio.

"I thought it was a great gesture for Mr. Leno to invite an all-military audience for the taping," Lieutenant Storr said.

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