BURBANK : Comic Pleads Not Guilty in ‘Tonight Show’ Fire

Stand-up comedian Bobcat Goldthwait pleaded not guilty Thursday to misdemeanor charges of unlawfully setting his chair on fire during a May 6 taping of “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”

The New York-born entertainer, who appeared in some of the “Police Academy” movies, waived his right to appear for an arraignment at Burbank Municipal Court. Instead, Goldthwait’s lawyer, Peter Laird, entered the plea on his client’s behalf.

The comedian is believed to be the first guest of “The Tonight Show” ever to be charged based on conduct on the air, according to NBC.

In a skit that aired Wednesday, Goldthwait appeared buried in a sandbox at a make-believe NBC day-care center. He cried, “Jay, let me out! I promise I’ll be good,” as a child poured sand over his head.

Goldthwait had been a guest on “The Tonight Show” in May when he suddenly stood up during an interview with Leno and set his chair afire, using lighter fluid and a long-handled lighter. A startled Leno and model Lauren Hutton doused the fire with cups of water. The unscripted stunt aired the same night.