NEW YORK — Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino appeared to take advantage of the open bar backstage at Jay Leno’s “Tonight” show on Monday.

Leno joked, “don’t light a match in here,” in the midst of Tarantino’s rambling, occasionally incoherent, guest shot. Tarantino was on the show to promote his new movie, “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” set for release Oct. 10.

Before getting to the film clip, their discussion included references to Leno’s old curly haircut, Elvis Presley’s rockabilly years and a “Golden Girls” audition.

“Have you been drinking tonightfi” Leno asked.

Tarantino responded that he thought he’d bring back the spirit of Johnny Carson’s “Tonight” show. “You have an open bar backstage,” he reminded Leno.

His appearance ended shortly after an impatient Leno introduced a film clip. There will be no repercussions from the incident, “Tonight” show spokeswoman Carrie Simons said Tuesday.

Last year, comedian Tom Green got progressively drunk on a “Tonight” show appearance, an experiment that appeared to grow quickly out of control.

Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC late-night show closed a bar that had served drinks to audience members after a boisterous first show, that included one audience member vomiting and guest George Clooney passing around a bottle of vodka.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B3.

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