Jimmy Fallon, America’s late-night darling and human embodiment of a laughter epidemic, has been dazzling audiences since he seized The Tonight Show throne in 2014. His realm includes side-splitting sketches, zany games, electrifying interviews, and musical symphonies of delight. On top of that, he’s the mastermind behind internet-breaking viral moments, featuring the crème de la crème of Hollywood, music, sports, and the universe itself. Behold, here are 20 pearls of Tonight Show wisdom that demand your immediate (re)watching:
Nicole Kidman Spills the Beans on Her Secret Crush
“In a cringe-inducing rendezvous, Nicole Kidman, one of the richest stars in Hollywood, unveiled her ill-fated visit to Jimmy’s abode for a date that never took off. It turns out Jimmy was as clueless as a cat at a dog show, missing a chance to woo an Oscar-winning actress.”
Timberlake and Fallon’s Rap Odyssey
Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon’s bromance is the stuff of legend, like peanut butter and jelly or Batman and Robin. Their “History of Rap” medley is a masterclass in musical camaraderie, where they harmonize and hip-hop through the ages. Chemistry? Off the charts.
Wheel of Musical Impressions with Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande, the vocal virtuoso, demonstrated her chameleon-like prowess by channeling other singing sensations on The Tonight Show’s “Wheel of Musical Impressions” with Jimmy Fallon. From Britney to Christina to Celine, she had us wondering if she’d secretly cloned these stars in her dressing room.
Lip Sync Battle Royalty with Emma Stone
The Lip Sync Battle reigns supreme as one of the most uproarious games in Jimmy’s arsenal. It’s a duel where he and his guests vie for lip-sync supremacy. When Emma Stone took the stage in 2014, she unleashed a performance of DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” that was so flawless it could part the Red Sea. Speechlessness ensued.
Michelle Obama’s Surprise Serenade
In a heartwarming twist, Michelle Obama herself graced the show with her presence, surprising folks who were pouring their hearts into farewell messages for her. Witness the emotional rollercoaster of love and gratitude as America bids farewell to a beloved First Lady.
Bloody encounter with James Franco
You know things are getting heated when a game of Catchphrase with James Franco turns into a cutthroat showdown. Literally. Jimmy’s hand met a broken glass, and blood became part of the game. But the show must go on, so he soldiered through, profusely bleeding and all.
Will Ferrell vs. Chad Smith – Drum-off Showdown
Will Ferrell and Chad Smith, the RHCP drummer doppelganger, locked horns on The Tonight Show. In a thunderous drum-off, they showcased their percussive prowess while delivering comic gold. The surprise appearance of Red Hot Chili Peppers added a spicy kick to the grand finale.
Bradley Cooper and Jimmy Fallon’s Visor-Vision Comedy
Bradley Cooper and Jimmy Fallon took “serious” interviews to a new level, donning visors with hilariously fake hair. The result? A laugh riot that had them breaking character and doubling over with giggles. Forget about poker faces; they had visor faces.
Kevin Hart’s Roller Coaster Redemption with Jimmy Fallon
Kevin Hart, the anti-coaster crusader, agreed to confront his fears on a roller coaster with Jimmy at Universal Orlando Resort. The result? Comedy gold. Kevin screamed, cursed, and prayed on that ride, while Jimmy enjoyed every second, probably even more than the viewers at home.
Adele’s “Hello” with a twist of quirk
When Adele, Jimmy Fallon, and The Roots got together, it wasn’t your average jam session. They took her megahit “Hello” and went all classroom-crazy with instruments like xylophones, kazoos, and banana shakers. Adele’s powerhouse vocals harmonized flawlessly with this musical menagerie, making it a performance you didn’t want to hang up on.
Chris Hemsworth’s Water War
Picture this: a thrilling and soaking game where even the Avengers, like Chris Hemsworth, battle for victory and leave as drenched heroes! It’s a card game where the loser gets an impromptu water baptism. Chris Hemsworth faced off with Jimmy Fallon, and, spoiler alert, they both ended up as drenched contestants. Wet and wild, it was superhero water warfare!
Ryan Reynolds’ Egg-citing Gamble
In Egg Russian Roulette, the game of gallant egg-smashing and shattered dignity, Jimmy Fallon squared off against none other than Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds. Jimmy Fallon and Ryan Reynolds took turns smashing eggs on their noggins, blissfully unaware of which were raw or cooked. In this shell of a game, it was Reynolds who ended up with more yolky facials than Fallon. It’s eggs-treme risk-taking at its finest!
#WhyImSingle
In the land of hashtags, Jimmy Fallon summoned viewers to share their solo sagas using the hashtag #WhyImSingle. It was like an open mic night for funny and relatable reasons for flying solo. From cartoon devotion to pronunciation pet peeves, the revelations were hilariously real and hashtag-worthy!
Jimmy Fallon and Paul Rudd’s Epic ’80s Throwback
Jimmy Fallon and Paul Rudd, the dynamic duo of retro vibes, struck again on The Tonight Show with their pitch-perfect reenactment of the 1985 hit “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” by Dead or Alive. From the costumes to the hair, they mirrored every ounce of ’80s glitz, even nailing those dramatic camera angles. It was like stepping into a time machine with better hair gel.
Jimmy Fallon’s Epic A Capella Super Bowl Soiree
Post-Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots threw an A-list musical bash, belting out Queen’s “We Are The Champions” with no instruments, just voices. The guest list? Prepare to be amazed: One Direction, Usher, Sam Smith, Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Queen’s own Brian May. Talk about a victory lap!
Miley Cyrus and Jimmy’s Epic Photobomb Extravaganza
Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Fallon decided to turn the tables on unsuspecting fans outside NBC Studios. While folks posed for photos, these two wildcards jumped into the frame, pulling funny faces, wacky gestures, and uproarious poses. The fans got quite the surprise when they saw their pics, courtesy of the photobombing pros.
“Box of Lies” Battle with Jennifer Lawrence
In a game called “Box of Lies,” Jennifer Lawrence and Jimmy Fallon went head-to-head on deception duty. Their mission? Describe the inexplicable contents of mysterious boxes to each other, then guess if the other was telling the truth or peddling pure baloney. Squirrels in hats, frozen pizzas with dentures – the truth was stranger than fiction in this madcap match.
Jimmy Fallon and Taylor Swift’s Jumbotron Jam Session
When Jimmy Fallon and Taylor Swift hit the dance floor on The Tonight Show, they weren’t just dancing; they were grooving like they’d been caught on the Jumbotron at a sports event. With each new song, from “Cotton Eye Joe” to “Maniac” to “Shake It Off,” they rocked different outfits and accessories, proving they’ve got the moves like Jagger… and then some.
Adorable Puppy Pop Quiz with Salma Hayek
In a game of “Pup Quiz,” Jimmy Fallon and his guests answered animal trivia questions. The prize? A puppy for every correct answer! When Salma Hayek joined in, it wasn’t just a quiz; it was a puppy paradise, and they both found themselves swarmed with bundles of furry joy. Cute overload alert!
Jimmy Fallon’s Impression Extravaganza
Jimmy Fallon, the man of a thousand voices, flexed his impersonation muscles on The Tonight Show, and it was a masterclass in mimicry. From Jerry Seinfeld to Bill Cosby, Robin Williams to Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy to Steve Martin, and a whole lineup of comedic heavyweights including Louis C.K., Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart, and Dave Chappelle. It was like a comedy club on the show, and Jimmy was the headlining impressionist.
These are just a taste of the finest moments from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, ready for your viewing (or re-viewing) pleasure. Find more entertaining escapades on The Tonight Show’s YouTube channel or binge-watch full episodes on Peacock. Enjoy the Fallon fest!
