NBC'S 'THE JAY LENO SHOW' TAPS NEW AND POPULAR COMEDIANS TO ACT AS CORRESPONDENTS

Comedians D.L. Hughley, Mikey Day, Rachael Harris, Jim Norton, The Dan Band Will Become Some of the New Correspondents for Leno's Monday-Friday (10-11 P.M. ET) New Comedy Show -- and "NBC Nightly News" Anchor Brian Williams Will Also Make Appearances

Additional talent to be Announced Later This Summer

BURBANK, Calif. -- August 5, 2009 -- Host Jay Leno introduced some of the correspondents that will be helping to provide the laughs in his new primetime comedy series "The Jay Leno Show" (Monday-Friday, 10-11 p.m. ET) before the Television Critics Association gathered today at the Summer Press Tour. Comedians D.L. Hughley, Mikey Day, Rachael Harris, Jim Norton and The Dan Band -- will be Leno's men and women on the street. Several more correspondents will be announced later this month. "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams will also make frequent appearances on the show.

Williams is the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of "NBC Nightly News." Recently, Williams became the most-honored network evening news anchor. He received four Edward R. Murrow Awards, his fifth Emmy Award, the duPont-Columbia University Award and the industry's highest honor, the George Foster Peabody Award. Most were given for his work in New Orleans while covering Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, and all were awarded to Williams in only his second year on the job. Williams has shown his comedic side with appearances on the late-night shows and during a hosting gig on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

Hughley began his career as the original host of BET's "ComicView." His other projects include starring in his own network sitcom "The Hughleys", as well as the critically acclaimed drama series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip". Recently, comedian Hughley brought his articulate brand of humor to CNN with "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News" where he still serves as a contributor. He is also now hosting morning radio on WRKS-FM in New York.

YouTube brought Day instant fame with his cult online series "David Blaine Street Magic: YouTube Edition." The up and coming comic has also appeared on MTV's reality series "Faking The Video" and "Wild'n Out" and as Selma Blair's smitten husband in "Kath & Kim."

Harris recently made men wince as the girlfriend no one would ever wish upon their friend in the summer comedy hit "The Hangover." Her other film credits include "Best in Show," "Starsky & Hutch," "Kicking and Screaming" and "Daddy Day Care." She has made television appearances on "Reno 911!," "Friends," "Desperate Housewives," "The Sarah Silverman Program." "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Monk." Harris has also appeared on "The Daily Show" and in the funnyordie.com sketch "Cougar 101 with Hunter Parrish."

Comedian Jim Norton is heard every morning on the immensely popular "Opie and Anthony Show" on Sirius/XM Satellite radio. He is also the author of two New York Times best selling books, "Happy Endings" and "I Hate Your Guts." Jim has has starred in two of his own HBO specials, as well as hosting his own HBO late night stand up comedy show, "Down and Dirty With Jim Norton". He also co-starred in the HBO series "Lucky Louie". Jim recently completed filming "Furry Vengeance" starring Brendan Fraser and Brooke Shields, as well as "A Couple of Dicks" directed by Kevin Smith, starring Bruce Willis.

The Dan Band, led by front man/comedian Dan Finnerty, is famous for their unique interpretations of popular music, primarily covers of originally female-performed pop songs with a little extra (and sometimes explicit) emphasis. Finnerty has appeared in the feature films "The Terminal," "Old School," "Starsky & Hutch," and most recently "The Hangover." In 2007, the band filmed a one-hour concert special of their live show that was directed by McG and executive-produced by Steven Spielberg.

Leno moves from late night to primetime in his new comedy show premiering Monday, September 14 (10-11 p.m. ET).

"The Jay Leno Show" will be the first entertainment program to be stripped across primetime on broadcast network television and will showcase many of the features that have made Leno America's late-night leader for more than a dozen years.

"The Jay Leno Show" is from Big Dog Productions in association with Universal Media Studios. Debbie Vickers is the executive producer.