Rocky Mountain News - Tonight Show Checks on DNC Doings

July 10, 2007

Parker: Tonight Show checks on DNC doings

Penny Parker

It'll be a tale of two cities with a twist when comedian Mo Rocca brings a Tonight Show With Jay Leno crew here today and tomorrow to shoot a segment on things to do in Denver while attending the Democratic National Convention next August.

Tonight will put Minneapolis, site of the Republican National Convention, under the same entertainment microscope.

"They want to see how prepared are we for the DNC and how prepared Minneapolis is for the RNC," said Angela Berardino, spokeswoman for the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau who's been working with Tonight Show producers.

Plans include Rocca interviews with Mayor John Hickenlooper and "Papa" Jack Weil, the 106-year-old founder of Rockmount Ranch Wear, as well as footage of the Coors brewery, Elitch Gardens and man-on-the-street bits along the 16th Street Mall.

"We know they're going to tease us, but overall I think it's going to be positive," Berardino said. Tonight's shooting schedule includes the devilish drag show Demented Divas: Half Baked and Fully Toasted, a tribute to food and booze, at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe Street.