BURBANK : Comic Charged in Fire on ‘Tonight Show’ Set

Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait was charged Friday with two misdemeanors that could result in jail terms for setting a chair ablaze on “The Tonight Show” set.

During a May 6 show, Goldthwait stood up in the middle of his interview with host Jay Leno and set his chair on fire. It was doused with cups of water.

“During that televised appearance Mr. Goldthwait lit a chair on fire using a lighter and lighter fluid. His actions created a significant danger of harm to himself and others,” the Burbank city attorney’s office said.

Goldthwait was charged with unlawfully causing a fire and possession of a flammable substance or device with the intent to burn property. Each count carries a maximum $1,000 fine and six months in jail. Arraignment was scheduled for June 23.

The comedian’s lawyer, Peter Laird, said he had no comment on the charges.

The fire on the NBC-TV set was the latest talk-show stunt by Goldthwait, who on April 29 trashed the set of “The Arsenio Hall Show” and spray-painted graffiti on the backdrop to protest the show’s cancellation.