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Editor’s note: Tune in to Wednesday’s edition of NBC’s “Today" to see the highlights of the "Today”/USO Comedy Tour stage show put on exclusively for troops at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
Even in a war zone, Jay Leno can get a laugh.
“Afghanistan looks like Van Nuys but with less gunfire,” the former host of “The Tonight Show" cracked during one of several "Today” live shots from Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Al Roker – a co-host of NBC’s long-running morning show – brought Leno, comedians Craig Robinson and Iliza Shlesinger and musician Kevin Eubanks to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, for the “Today”/USO Comedy Tour to entertain American troops. The tour is part of the Shine A Light series on “Today.”
Roker is also raising money for the USO through Crowdrise as part of the Shine A Light effort.
“The USO brings entertainment and a bit of levity to a very stressful situation,” Shlesinger said during a “Today” segment. “[J]ust to get a chance to share this with [troops] for just a couple minutes, it’s such an honor.”
While the entertainers did a series of live segments on Wednesday’s broadcast, the highlights of their comedy/variety show for the troops at Bagram will be rebroadcast on NBC on Oct. 7.
“It’s been overwhelming just to be able to look the soldiers in the eye and say thank you to them,” Robinson said. “And they’ve been so grateful that we’re here. It’s really crazy.”
Every day, America’s service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.