American Idol is so eager to extend its brand this season that it’s apparently persuaded the suits at Fox to allow them to promote the show on competing networks; unfortunately for the just-cast-off contestants, that wheeling and dealing has resulted in them being forced to participate in skits on late night’s least funny offering, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Last night’s episode featured Chikezie appearing with the Pips, a scenario that he was probably sort of excited about until he was told that he’d just be awkwardly recreating the Geico ad featuring the group–and then get shunted aside for the inevitable into-commercial singing of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” Gah! Ellen DeGeneres had better treat dude with a little more respect when he shows up on her couch. After the jump, the original ad, so you can see just how lazy Leno’s writers are.

Chikezie on the Tonight Show [RedLasso via MJ's Big Blog]
Geico ad with the Pips [YouTube]