Monday night, funnyman Jimmy Fallon made his debut as the new host of the Tonight Show on NBC. With an opening showing him out and about in NYC, directed by Spike Lee, a who’s who of celebrities raced the stage giving Fallon money to pay off debts owed after apparently losing a bet that he’d never host the Tonight Show. Non-believers included Robert DeNiro, Mariah Carey, Tracey Morgan, Rudy Giuliani, Joan Rivers, Tina Fey, Kim Kardashian, Seth Rogan, Lyndsey Lohan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mike Tyson, Lady Gaga in dominatrix garb, and Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert who poured a bucket of coins on him.
But the fun didn’t end there. Before sitting down for an interview, Fallon and pal Will Smith, joined in to continue a long held Fallon tradition of hip-hop skits called, “The Evolution of Hip Hop Dance.” Wearing overalls with one strap dangling, they began a host of old school dance moves including the wop, the Kid n Play, The Cabbage Patch, the Humpty Dance, the Stanky Leg, and even a little twerking.
The high energy and music continued as British rock collective U2 came in signature form performing 70 floors up on the balcony of Rockefeller Plaza with the Empire State Building in the rear view, marking the first time in 40 years that the Tonight Show has been taped in NYC. But Fallon came with a NY swag soundtracked by the mighty Roots Crew in a way that only an East Coast guy can do.
The former Saturday Night Live player has been on a career arc the likes of which most would envy ever since he left the sketch comedy show in 2004 to pursue a career in film. In 2009, he replaced Conan O'Brien as the host of the Late Show and hasn't looked back. And now, as Fallon joins a list of individuals who have hosted the Tonight Show – from Steven Allen and Jack Paar, to Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, each brought their own way of making America laugh. However, one thing is for certain, there has never been a house band as funky as the Roots or anyone as real as Fallon.
Affable, unassuming and never seeming to take himself too seriously, Fallon’s quirky goofy nature doesn't give the impression of being a celebrity. Instead, he comes off like some lucky guy who fate has continually smiled upon. These are but a handful of the traits that have made Fallon a household name with fans that span several demographics. And although he began the show by saying, "I'm Jimmy Fallon, I'll be your host… For now." We think Fallon will be around for the here, now, and tomorrow.
Check out the hilarious video below of Fallon and Will Smith showing their funky hip hop moves:
