I really wanted to like Molly Shannon on Jay Leno’s show, but she made it so difficult because, frankly, I was so exhausted after watching her. When she walked out, she brought chips and salsa to a couple at a mock Mexican restaurant table set up on stage – a bit Jay and Co. were doing. She was a good sport to participate and seemed genuinely excited to be there, waving at the crowd and grinning that huge grin. The trouble began when she sat down. From continually fixing and touching her hair, to either genuinely or playfully losing concentration, to telling uncomfortably awkward stories about her family and upbringing — Shannon was all over the place. She sensed it herself I think, when she started to drink from Jay’s cup – he stopped her – and she tried to cover, joking with “I’m a real classy guest.”

They did talk about her new show Kath and Kim and showed a clip, but by that time I was so beaten up by all of the frenetic energy, that I could hardly concentrate.  Now, I’m pretty sure on some level this is all about nerves, but it just shouldn’t happen. Shannon needs someone to sit her down in a quiet place and teach her to channel her energy and focus on her direction and intent.

I think we’ve discovered why she is so talented and adept with characters. Now if she could only “play” a calm, centered talk show guest, she’d have it made. Perhaps she could add that to her repertoire.