Jimmy Fallonmade a name for himself as a comedic performer onSaturday Night Live (SNL). His tenure on the series from 1998 to 2004 was marked by a cast overhaul, where the number of legacy performers from the late-night skit series was shrinking, allowing newer talents to step forward. During this period,Tina Fey,Amy Poehler,Maya Rudolph,Kristen WiigandRachel Dratchrose to prominence, with Fey becoming the first female head-writer in 1999.Fallon was brought onto the series for his uniquely playful style, where he and Fey joined forces on the iconic Weekend Update segment.
From 2009 to 2014, Fallon hosted his own late-night talk show,Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Then, in 2014, when it was announced that Jay Leno was retiring as the anchor ofThe Tonight Show, Fallon stepping into the role was a natural transition. The gregarious host has brought his own influence to what was at one time a straight-forward late-night celebrity chat show. Some of these changes are in-line with company policy, andothers have to do with the entertainer’s unique comedic energy and musical talents.
Jimmy Fallon Has Changed ‘The Tonight Show’
Fallon brings a goofy and energetic humor to each conversation he hosts on the late-night series,just as he did to his scenes onSNL. In Leno’s era, the late-night talk show was a more straightforward conversation that heavily relied on the host’s comedic riffing. Whereas under Fallon, and the influence of the influencer era where catching celebrities off-guard with goofy premises and stunts has been further normalized,The Tonight Showbegan to introduce wacky new game-based interview segments like the Whisper Challenge, Word Sneak, and True Confessions. Although the energy on-screen is always upbeat, just three years after the revelations aboutEllen DeGeneressurfaced, when staffers came forward with intense workplace misconduct allegations, there were also allegations that working behind-the-scenes onThe Tonight Showdidn’t have such inviting energy either.
Some of the changes that occurred onThe Tonight Showduring Fallon’s reign were less about the energetic host, and more about new company crossovers and mandates. Some make sense, like when Fallon announced a new NBC series he would be hostingwith a guest fromThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Others seem like an impulsive reaction to certain fads on competing sites, like when the network decided that the opening sequence ofThe Tonight Show, featuring the show’s beloved musical group The Roots, should be cut in an effortto keep up with the streaming featureof skipping the opening credits on Netflix. This unfortunate decision not only denied the audience the signature opening song from the band, but also the title card and shots of Fallon around the city, a sequence directed by Spike Lee.
Jimmy Fallon Just Brought a Song Back To Live TV for the First Time in 30+ Years
It wasn’t for the reasons you think.
One Segment, In Particular, Let’s Fallon Shine
Part of the reason the loss of the opening segment featuring The Roots makes little sense is thatThe Tonight Showis at its best when musical talent is emphasized. While Fallon’s high-energy style lends itself well to any game-based interview segment, there is one type of segment in particular that really allows the host to shine. When Fallon is able to show off his vocal talent and musical skills, the entertainer is truly at his best. Segments like Song Scramble, or Wheel of Musical Impressions, or Classroom Instruments prove to be some of the most entertaining, because Fallon is remarkably skilled. And sometimes, so are his guests.
Fallon’s appreciation for the talent of his musical guests seems informed, in part, by his own appreciation for the skills required to perform at a high level. When he hypes upChappell Roan,Dove Cameron, orAriana Grandewhen they perform on the show, it’s authentic to who Fallon is as an entertainer. When he hasDoja Catplay a Musical Genre Challenge orAdam Levinesing impressions from on the Wheel of Musical Impressions, the host’s genuine excitement at the talent on display is a reflection of his own musical exploits.Fallon is at his best during the musical segments ofThe Tonight Show, and the network would be smart to recognize the value they have.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
