Judge OKs Leno's Jackson Jokes

Jay Leno is free to poke fun of Michael Jackson.

A judge has clarified that a gag order on the comic, who is a prospective witness in the child molestation case, would not prevent him from making jokes or commenting generally about Jackson.

But he can't talk about the specific areas on which he may testify. The defense is expected to call Leno as part of its effort to show the accuser's family had sought money from many celebrities, including the "Tonight Show" host. The defense says Leno called police after talking with the accuser because he thought the boy's family was looking for a "mark."

The defense also sought to keep Leno from making what it called "cruel" jokes about Jackson that could affect how he might testify in the trial.

However, the judge says such a limit would be unconstitutional.

"I am not attempting to prevent anybody from making a living in the normal way that they make their living," Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville ruled during a hearing in Santa Maria.

The judge also joked about Leno, saying "I'd like him to tell good jokes ... but I guess I can't control that."

In recent days when it wasn't clear whether Leno could legally tell Jackson jokes on his show, he wrote the wisecracks and called on other comedians to tell them.

Hours before the ruling, "The Tonight Show" host found a way to slip in a quip without opening his mouth.

After arriving "late" for the taping of Thursday's "Tonight Show," Leno stepped out of a black limousine wearing a pair of SpongeBob SquarePants pajamas and accompanied by several bodyguards. One of the guards held an open umbrella over his head as the comedian remained silent when asked why he was late.

Earlier in the day, Jackson had arrived late to court wearing pajama bottoms and a T-shirt under a coat. His lawyers explained that he had come straight from a hospital where he had been treated for a back injury.

"They're ruling on my gag order tomorrow to see if I'm allowed to tell Jackson jokes," he told his audience Thursday. "I'm not legally allowed to tell Michael Jackson jokes but I can still write them."

Then he called on another comedian, Drew Carey, to handle that night's Jackson duty.

"Michael Jackson showed up to court late today wearing his pajama bottoms," Carey told the audience. "You know what? You find the kid wearing the pajama top and we have another court case on our hands."