ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An entertainer who started as a stuttering, clueless reporter on "The Howard Stern Show" radio broadcast is coming to a Lehigh Valley venue.
John Melendez, who was known as "Stuttering John" on the Stern show, then spent years as announcer on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, March 6, at Civic Theatre of Allentown's The Hub at Theatre514, it was announced.
Tickets, at $25 each including tax and fees, will go on sale at noon Saturday, Feb. 7, at The Hub website.Civic Theatre of Allentown website
Civic Theatre's website says the will be event as a night of "no-holds-barred stand-up comedy."
"This is a night for fans of classic Stern-era chaos, unfiltered storytelling, and live comedy that doesn’t play it safe," the website says. "Expect laughs, surprises and a show you won’t forget."
Tickets, at $25 each including tax and fees, will go on sale at noon Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Hub website.
Rude questions, 'Tonight' show
Melendez started on "The Howard Stern Show" as an intern and was on the staff from 1988-2004.
He became known for asking celebrities rude or inappropriate questions at events and news conferences with his stuttering.
Since leaving "The Jay Leno Show," Melendez has "taken that same edge to the stand-up stage, delivering raw, unpredictable comedy that pulls no punches."Civic Theatre website
Most famously, he asked Gennifer Flowers, who revealed an affair with President Clinton, whether she planned to sleep with any other candidates before the election.
He asked the Dalai Lama whether anyone ever greeted him with "Hello Dalai!" in a joking reference to the play and movie.
And he asked The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, "What did you do with the money?" When Starr asked, "What money?" Melendez replied, "The money your mother gave you for singing lessons."
Melendez left Stern's show to become the announcer on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and also worked on Leno's later shows, 2004-14.
He since has "taken that same edge to the stand-up stage, delivering raw, unpredictable comedy that pulls no punches," according to the Civic Theatre website.
Since 2018, he has presented"The Stuttering John Podcast."
He has appeared in films including "Airheads," "Meet Wally Sparks," "Dude, Where's My Car?" and "Osmosis Jones," as well as Stern's film "Private Parts."
The Hub, which has a seating capacity of 95, features improv comedy nights and other special events.
