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Zap2it on the Scene: PaleyFest 2011
6 things you may not know about Jimmy Fallon and 'Late Night'
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Jimmy Fallon took center stage at the 2011 PaleyFest Friday night (March 11), and this time he was the interviewee, not the interviewer.Fallon was the sole guest at the festival, submitting to an easygoing, funny and clip-filled interview with his friend, comedian and "Web Soup" host Chris Hardwick. He talked a lot about how he puts together "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," the type of people he likes to work with (he hired his writers "based on their talent, not their resumes") and about his career leading up to "Late Night," including his time on "Saturday Night Live."
He also shared a few things we didn't previously know. Depending on your level of Fallon fanaticism, some of these things might be familiar to you. But we thought found the following six tidbits pretty interesting.
1. He didn't pass his first "Saturday Night Live" audition. Producers liked his audition bit -- as part of his early stand-up act, he did impressions of several celebrities selling Troll dolls -- but decided to hire Tracy Morgan instead.
2. The next year, he did get the "SNL" job. Fallon was invited to audition again the following year, provided he "didn't do the troll bit." Instead, he did an Adam Sandler impression, and it led to him joining a cast that also included Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Morgan, Chris Kattan and Chris Parnell (Tina Fey was a writer then but didn't go on-camera for a couple more years).
3. When he shoots the "Robert Is Bothered" segments for "Late Night," Fallon climbs out a window on the 11th floor of NBC's offices at Rockefeller Plaza and into the tree. Michael Blieden, who directs many of the show's filmed segments, climbs into the tree with him.
4. The "Late Night" studio at 30 Rock, Studio 6B, was home to radio-era NBC stars like Bob Hope in its early days, then to Milton Berle and "Texaco Star Theater," Jack Paar's version of "The Tonight Show" and the first 10 years of Johnny Carson's show before Carson moved "Tonight" to Los Angeles in 1972. (Right before "Late Night" moved in, it had been a news studio for WNBC-TV.)
5. There's a giant pickle hanging from the ceiling of Fallon's office. It was a gift from previous "Late Night" host Conan O'Brien, who in turn received it from David Letterman.
6. If you're ever on the NBC tour at 30 Rock, you might have a chance to help Fallon shape his nightly monologue. "Late Night" doesn't really do a dress rehearsal, but he does run through potential monologue jokes in front of a small audience taken from the tour groups.
Fallon also talked with Zap2it before Friday's event about how he convinced Bruce Springsteen to do a cover of "Whip My Hair" and his bromance with Craig Feguson. Take a look:
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I didn't know that Jimmy Fallon is neither funny nor entertainment. Sorry, I always new that.
I cannot believe he has already surpassed two years on that trainwreck program of his. I though Kimmel was bad but this guy is even worse. Must be helpful to being an NBC shill and kissing all the right butts there.
Two years already at this trainwreck of a program? He's never been funny and never will be. He stutters when he interviews someone and can't keep his show flowing at a smooth pace. Kimmel is bad enough but this guy really takes the cake.
The posters above obviously have never watched Jimmy Fallon on his show or on SNL. He's hilarious and does wonderful impressions and has a terrific musical ability as well. This interview wasn't supposed to be stand-up. I enjoy Jimmy tremendously and have great respect for how he runs his show (and life).
Jimmy is hilarious! I'm a Letterman and Conan fan, but Jimmy's show has become the only one I dvr and watch the next day. Very funny bits, fun interviews with good guests, and the best music acts.
Jimmy is the only late night show that I think is funny. He's great!! He also has great taste in music, so bands I WANT to see are on his shows. Go Jimmy! You rock!
Sylvester obviously hasn't given the show a chance, and Bren can't even spell "knew".
Jimmy Fallon is absolutely HILARIOUS, and more than that, a joy to watch. He's a nice guy and his show follows suit. Although I wish this article would've talked more about the process they go to create the show -- without a dress rehearsal, how do they do so many of the things they do, especially when they incorporate the Roots?
Anyone who thinks Jimmy Fallon is "hilarious" ought to have his or her head examined. Fallon has a few bits that aren't bad, but the rest suck, even back when he was on SNL. Craig Ferguson blows him away in terms of comedy and as an interviewer.