Tag: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

New York Is Not “Invisible” When U2 Play on Fallon Debut

U2 Invisible New York
Last night, Jimmy Fallon hosted his first Tonight Show with guests Will Smith and U2. In a musical segment, Fallon introduced U2 from the Top of the Rock, the rooftop observation deck of Rockefeller Center. When they recorded the segment, the sun was setting, highlighting a beautiful view of New York City as the city returns as the location of The Tonight Show.

Bono and the band were at their bombastic best, having experience playing a rooftop in their “Where the Streets Have No Name” video way back in the 1980s. This time, there were no police. Check out U2 performing “Invisible,” followed by Fallon interviewing the band.  [UPDATE: Unfortunately, the video is no longer available.]

The show was not a surprise for anyone who has followed Fallon on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The Roots continued their great late night support, and Fallon showed off his variety show skills with a dance segment with Smith. A number of celebrities stopped by for a brief cameo to lend their support too. It was a good start to what looks like it might be a long run.

What did you think of Jimmy Fallon’s first Tonight Show? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’s Last Waltz

    Fallon The Muppets
    Media largel focused on Jay Leno’s exit from The Tonight Show, but at the same time, Jimmy Fallon was winding down Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. The focus was understandable, considering that NBC was merely moving Fallon down the hall to take a seat behind the desk at The Tonight Show. Last night on Late Night, Jimmy Fallon had an appropriately subdued farewell show that recognized a chapter was ending, not a book. Still, the show featured a number of nice moments. One of the highlights, which illustrated Fallon’s intelligence and respect for history, was going out with a nod the The Band‘s famous last bow, The Last Waltz (1978).

    Before Late Night closed with Fallon walking down the hall to The Tonight Show studio, the final musical performance on a show known for music featured Fallon playing drums with the Muppets as the group performed “The Weight.” The video recreated the look of The Band’s own performance of the song in The Last Waltz, the Martin Scorsese directed documentary about The Band’s final show. Fallon, always respectful of his audience’s intelligence, made no reference to The Last Waltz, recognizing folks would either get the reference or just enjoy the song. Check it out.

    The filming of the musical performance even echos the look and lighting of The Last Waltz performance, starting with the opening shot of Fallon playing drums and singing in the place of the late great Levon Helm. Check out the song from The Last Waltz, a performance that also featured Mavis Staples and The Staple Singers.

    Earlier in his final Late Night show, Fallon also told a little Muppet history, explaining how many years ago when Jim Henson and Frank Oz had visited the studio, the two had painted characters on some exposed pipes. Fallon discussed how when he took over the show, they had remodeled so the paintings could be seen by more people.

    In the Late Night time slot, Fallon already has set a high bar for himself as he transfers to the earlier more high-profile show. From fun performances like this one of “The Weight,” incorporating a classic music and movie reference that respected the intelligence of his audience, I am betting Fallon will be hosting The Tonight Show for a long time.

    What do you think of Fallon taking over The Tonight Show? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Springsteen and Fallon as Two Springsteens Stuck in a Traffic Jam

    Christie Bridge Song

    Last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Bruce Springsteen once again dug out one of his old outfits to sing with Fallon. This time, the two did a new version of “Born to Run,” poking fun at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s recent Bridgegate problems regarding his administration’s involvement in closing down the George Washington Bridge to punish a New Jersey mayor. “Governor let me in, I wanna be your friend. . . .” Check it out.

    It had to be a tough blow for Gov. Christie, who notoriously is a huge Springsteen fan even though Springsteen generally sits on the other side of the political divide. But the song is pretty funny.

    What is your favorite Springsteen-Fallon collaboration? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    All-Star “Fairytale of New York” on Jimmy Fallon

    fairytale new york hansard fallon
    On a recent Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Sam Beam from Iron & Wine joined Calexico for a rousing version of The Pogues holiday classic, “Fairytale of New York” (a song discussed in a previous Chimesfreedom post about depressing holiday songs). As if that were not enough, Glen Hansard and Kathleen Edwards joined in the fun too. Check it out. [February 2014 Update: The video is no longer available from NBC, so below is an amateur video of the same group performing the song at the WWFUV Holiday Cheer Concert.]

    Iron & Wine, Calexico, Kathleen Edwards, and Glen Hansard recently played together, including a performance of “Fairytale of New York,” at a Holiday Cheer benefit concert in New York.

    What is your favorite “sad” holiday song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Late Night Wars: Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon Sing

    Last night, as The Tonight Show went into Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, viewers were treated to a duet by Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon. Amid all the rumors about Jimmy Fallon replacing Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, the two hosts got together via phone to address the issue by singing a variation on “Tonight” from West Side Story.

    [February 2014 Update: The video of the entire duet is no longer available from NBC, so below is a story about the segment that features a short clip of the duet.]

    Reportedly, Fallon came up with the idea and after Leno agreed to do the bit, some of the Late Night staff flew to California to tape the Jay Leno part.

    April 3, 2013 Update: NBC has confirmed that Jimmy Fallon will replace Jay Leno on The Tonight Show starting after the 2014 Winter Olympics.

    Who is your favorite late night host? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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