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| Koka takes on Leno during 'Tonight Show' |
| BURBANK, CA -- An 0-7-0 record is nothing to joke about when you're a member of the Silver Mullets Silver League Roller Hockey Team. With a 2-17-0 career record, the Mullets have perhaps the worst winning percentage in Soccer Zone history. The Mullets have two games left to play this season, but, to the team, the remaining games constitute simply that: games. To 'Tonight Show' host Jay Leno, however, more Mullets games mean more jokes. Since the start of the 2001-2002 Winter League Season, Leno has been chipping away at the team during his monologue with jokes such as the following: "You know, folks, a lot of people ask questions such as, 'how many people does it take to screw in a light bulb...,' but what I really want to know is how many light bulbs does it take to screw in a Silver Mullet?" "Did any of you hear about the guy that hijacked a bus full of kids in Pennsylvania the other day? Police suspected it was an armed robber searching for hostages, but, as it turns out, it was just Pete Koka out recruiting for his Silver Mullets team (drum roll)!" "The Detroit Lions finished the season with a 2-14 record. The Mullets are 0-6 so far this season. Not good. In fact, I saw Johnny Morton at one of the games, and even he had to turn his head in disgust. But, seriously, folks, an 0-6 record isn't so bad... I'm sure even the Mullets are betting against themselves by now, so it's easy cash for them." Silver Mullets captain Pete Koka was outraged at these insults and decided to reciprocate Leno's comments with remarks of his own. "[The comments] are uncalled for," Koka told several newspapers throughout the country. "I mean, we don't go around making fun of him when no one laughs at his jokes, or because his chin is larger than a horse's [expletive], so he shouldn't make fun of us." NBC executives informed the Mullets franchise that Leno enjoyed Koka's comments. In fact, Leno offered to fly Koka out for a 'mano-a-mano' verbal battle during an upcoming show. Koka reluctantly agreed, but said he ultimately had a lot of fun during the taping. "[Leno] is a really nice guy," stated Koka earlier this week. "I just wish he'd lay off us a little bit." During Koka's 17-minute stint on 'The Tonight Show,' which aired Thursday, January 24, Koka and Leno relayed jokes to one another, including one by Leno in regard to the Silver Mullets's hockey skills. "I'd take you on one-on-one in roller hockey," Leno said to Koka, "but it'd take your entire team just for you to get to one-fourth!" The highlight of Koka's appearance, however, occurred when he danced a three-and-a-half-minute Irish Jig dance to a marvelous rendition of 'The Brass Bonanza,' performed live by Kevin Eubanks and 'The Tonight Show' Band. Asked if Koka had anything he wanted to say to the public before he ended his claim-to-fame appearance, Koka, who has missed the past three roller hockey games due to college, floor hockey, and scouting commitments, asserted, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm coming home [from college] this weekend to win!" But if only it weren't for Leno asking, "win what? the lottery?" the audience may have believed him. As for Leno, well, he seemed to believe Koka had a "better chance at winning the lottery." He was right. |
| Silver Mullets Captain Pete Koka poses and blushes for the camera and audience after a fan claimed Koka could be a model. |
| Koka smiles for the camera as he receives applause for his captivating performance. |
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| Koka begins tap-dancing as he prepares to start dancing the 'Irish Jig' to the tune of "The Brass Bonanza." |
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| From 1/29/02 |