
Loading summary
Jimmy Fallon
From the Detroit Opera House in Detroit, Michigan, Ford presents the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon. Tonight join Jimmy and his guest Keegan Michael Keys, Cade Cunningham, musical guest common secret bellow of the roof and the legendary Ruth Curry. Way up though. And now here he is. Jimmy, welcome. Wow. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Tonight Show. What up, Dale? What up, Dale? We are in Detroit and coming to you from the Detroit Opera House.
Keegan-Michael Key
I love this city so much. In fact, I actually wrote a song about it. Here we go.
Jimmy Fallon
Detroit, I'm here in the D. Shout out Everybody in the 313detroit, blow the roof off I'll wake up with a back tattoo of Jared Goff. Detroit, are you ready?
Keegan-Michael Key
We'll go so high we'll throw up.
Jimmy Fallon
All our moms we'll get in Detroit let's turn it up Try to call a cavagata pedal pub.
Keegan-Michael Key
That was fun.
Jimmy Fallon
Detroit, I'm a fast learner Forget about the schwepps Cause I'm all about burner Detroit, what's up, bruh? Tonight we'll all get drunk and invade Canada. When I say D, you say Troy D. D. When I say motor, you say Cday. Motor. Motor. When I say the, you say automotive industry originated in Detroit in the early 20th century and rebelled the second industrial revolution. The.
Keegan-Michael Key
I do what you tell me to do.
Jimmy Fallon
Let's give it up for De Dro. Thank you, Detroit. What a crowd. Oh, my gosh. I don't want to leave. I love you. Everybody up there, I see you. Okay, okay.
Keegan-Michael Key
We're officially moving the show to Detroit.
Jimmy Fallon
That's it. We're doing it. I don't care. We're doing it. We're staying here. We're not leaving. I'm staying here. Not leaving. I'm so excited to be here.
Keegan-Michael Key
This must be how Eminem felt when he found a word that rhymed with orange.
Jimmy Fallon
You know what I'm saying?
Keegan-Michael Key
It's exciting. I can't tell if my heart rate is up because of you guys or the 10 coney dogs I devoured backstage, but it feels good. Of course, Detroit has some of the best nicknames out there. There's the Motor City, There's Motown, the 313, Detroit Rock City, and the D.
Jimmy Fallon
Just.
Keegan-Michael Key
Be careful when you Google that last one, okay?
Just.
I've been learning so much about your incredible city. For instance, I found out that Detroit is actually a French word meaning suck at Chicago.
Jimmy Fallon
What? I didn't know that.
Keegan-Michael Key
I didn't know that.
Jimmy Fallon
But this is great.
Keegan-Michael Key
We got 3,000 people in the Audience tonight.
Jimmy Fallon
That's right. We have Lions fans in the house tonight.
Keegan-Michael Key
According to a survey, 74% of Lions fans would rather win a Super bowl than find love. They're like, look, if someone's going to go all the way, it should be the Lions, not me. Very giving. But finally, guys, this is the birthplace of Motown. Motown was established in 1959, and drunk people have been butchering it at karaoke ever since.
Jimmy Fallon
We're happy to be here. Thank you, Detroit. We got a great show. Stick around. Let's go. Our first guest was born and raised in Detroit. He's an Emmy and Peabody Award winning performer. Everyone, please welcome Keegan Michael Key. Love you. They love you.
Keegan-Michael Key
Thank you for being in Detroit with us. This is your hometown?
Jimmy Fallon
My hometown. How does it feel to be back?
Keegan-Michael Key
It's fantastic to be back, Jimmy. The first thing I have to say to you as a Detroiter, because this is how we greet everyone that comes to our town, is we say, what up, doe? All right.
What up, doe?
Jimmy Fallon
What up, doe? What up, doe? Okay, good. What up, Doe?
Keegan-Michael Key
Welcome to the D. And yes. No, it's absolutely terrific to be home. You know, fantastic memories come flooding in. Everything. It's wonderful. I just thought I grew up here and it's just. It's magical.
It means a lot that you're on our show.
Thank you for doing it. Thank you for asking.
Earlier today, we got to hang out at the Lions game.
Yes, we did.
Jimmy Fallon
By the way. They won.
Keegan-Michael Key
They were great. They won.
We. I mean, we didn't just win.
Jimmy Fallon
We won.
Keegan-Michael Key
I mean, wow.
Jimmy Fallon
Won.
Keegan-Michael Key
I have a. I have a video of us cheering on the Lions. Take a look at this.
Jimmy Fallon
Taught me how to do it.
Keegan-Michael Key
That is very good technique, Jimmy.
Yeah, that was. That was. It was good luck. We brought good luck to the team.
It was. Yeah, we did. I mean, you came and they scored immediately. So, yes. I felt good to come back to Detroit every Sunday.
Okay, done deal.
Jimmy Fallon
And travel.
Keegan-Michael Key
And travel. Travel on alternate weekends.
The Lions aren't the only Detroit team you support. You're also a Tigers fan. I know that. Tigers fan.
Jimmy Fallon
Yes.
Keegan-Michael Key
You threw out. You threw out the first pitch this year. That is nerve wracking.
Opening day on opening day. Yeah, it was nerve wracking. Yes.
But your pitch went very well.
Yes. Yes.
I want to show everyone what I'm talking about. Here's Keegan Michael Key throwing out the first pitch at the Tigers games.
Cade Cunningham
Keegan Michael Key was here to throw out the first pitch.
Jimmy Fallon
Hey, how can I do that right there? Yo, that's the best thing you can do.
Keegan-Michael Key
I get so nervous. I, I, I've done it once before and it's so, it's more, it's more nerve wracking than you think.
Anything you think. Also, it's, it's.
Yes, I know what you're gonna say.
It is way further than you think it is. Yes, it's so much further than you think it is.
So the mound is taller than.
It's taller than you think it is.
Jimmy Fallon
It's like up here.
Keegan-Michael Key
Exactly.
Jimmy Fallon
You're throwing.
Keegan-Michael Key
Minute you're down there, you're way down there. Yeah.
Jimmy Fallon
Here come daddy. Here you go.
Keegan-Michael Key
It's.
Exactly.
But the big, here's the thing. The big thing is you just have, you have to practice and practice and practice and practice and practice.
That's what people call me that. But I live in New York City, so we don't have room to even stand up in our apartments, let alone practice.
I can't throw a ball 60ft. We're 60ft.
I don't have 60ft anywhere in our city. No, but you did it and you crashed it. But I know you love sports. You're taking it to the next level. Can you tell everyone what you're doing with the New York Golf Club?
Yes. So we are, my partner, Elkie and I, we are limited partners in the New York Golf Club, which is one of the teams in the new TGL Golf League. That's right, dude, everybody's heard about this.
You're a partner. You're an owner.
We're owner. We are part of the team, as is Mr. Jimmy Fallon.
Jimmy Fallon
I'm a part owner as well.
Keegan-Michael Key
Part owner of the New York Golf Club.
Jimmy Fallon
Dude, we're partners. We're partners forever. Who would ever think?
Keegan-Michael Key
But it's really great. The TGL is, it's called tomorrow's golf league. It's an indoor golf league. And on December 28, the new season starts. And the New York Golf Club came in second last year. They came in second to the Atlanta Drive. So they're going to have a chance to get some revenge on the Atlanta Drive. The first match, one of the first matches is going to be New York versus Atlanta. So we'll see if we can get revenge. But yeah, it's really great with you.
On board, I think we're going to win.
But hey, if you can do it for the New York Golf Club, what you did for the Lions today, dude, that was gonna be in good shape.
Wave.
That was in good shape. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
You do it all. I already I, I, I, I told you that. How great you were in Wonka, by the way. I told you. I know, but you were. I gotta tell you again, you were amazing. I'm just so happy. I know. You're so talented, but also, you're. You're an author. Your book right here, the History of Sketch Comedy, is available on Audible.
Jimmy Fallon
Yes.
Keegan-Michael Key
You do it all. That's right. A lot of us first got to know you through sketch.
Through sketch comedy.
And you got your start here in Michigan, right?
Yeah, so I started here. And also, I just want to say. So the book, you know, the book is also available in hardcover. You can also read the book.
You read the actual book?
You can listen to the book or read the book. Yeah, but, yeah, sketch comedy is one of my great loves. And it started here. I worked at the Second City Detroit here. You guys remember the Second City Detroit? Yeah, right up the street. But I also went to college. I went to University of Detroit Mercy. That's my own. Go, Titans. Go, Titans.
Jimmy Fallon
I love this.
Keegan-Michael Key
I taught theater at Wayne State University, and I started a theater in Hamtramck, Michigan, called the Planet Ant with.
Jimmy Fallon
Come on, bud.
Keegan-Michael Key
So my theater roots, they begin right here. Yeah, it's right here. So much to thank Detroit for, for my career.
Yeah, they're proud of you.
I'm proud of them.
You did the. You did a lip sync battle for us. Thank you for playing that game with us.
You.
You just crushed it. Of course. I should have done Motown. But whatever, it's okay. We'll do it again, hopefully. But you brought a game for me tonight.
I did. So you've been around Detroit for the last few days. I wanted to see if you've picked up some of the ways that we pronounce things here.
Cade Cunningham
So.
Keegan-Michael Key
So I don't think I'm gonna do well at this at all.
But in particular, what I wanted guys to do with him was see if he could pronounce some of us street. Our street names.
It's gonna be bad. I'll try. I'm always down. I'm always down. I'll try.
Okay, he's gonna give it a try. All right.
No hints. No hints. No hints.
Okay. All right, so let's put up the first one here. Okay. Okay. So this is a street. It's a major thoroughfare in Detroit.
Okay.
How would you pronounce? Jimmy? How would you pronounce this word?
Jimmy Fallon
Yes.
Keegan-Michael Key
I would probably say liver noir. Liver noir.
Close, close. Ladies and gentlemen, on the count of three. On the count of three, let us pronounce this street name for Jimmy. One, two, three.
Jimmy Fallon
Livernois. Livernois.
Keegan-Michael Key
Livernoi. Okay. I thought it was like. I thought it was like some French term.
Like, I mean, it is French, but this is Detroit. That's how we say it. Liver.
Livernois.
You talking about liver? Livermore. Okay, here's the next one. How do you pronounce this word? You gotta do it. Shake your breath. Shake your breath.
De Quindre. Close.
Jimmy Fallon
Close.
Keegan-Michael Key
Close was close.
One. One, two, three. Dequinder. Dequinder.
Dequander.
Dequinder. Dequinder.
Of course it is.
What I find interesting is that as far as I know, there has never been a child in our city who I think should have been named Dequindre, which would have been a great name, a great name for a kid from Detroit.
De Quindre.
I don't know if that's happened yet.
But that would be awesome. That's a good name.
All right, here's the last one. You have one more. You have one more to go.
Okay. All right. I can.
Got one more. Oh, look, they're all chopping it.
Jimmy Fallon
Look.
Keegan-Michael Key
I can see their mouths frothing. Here's the last one.
Jimmy Fallon
You ready?
Keegan-Michael Key
Yeah.
Here we go.
Now judge on the other way that other words are pronounced gratio.
I. I see what. I see what you were going for. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.
I see what you were going for, ladies and gentlemen. One, one, two, three. Thrash it.
Thrash it.
Jimmy Fallon
It's shocked. Can we say that? Can we say that on television?
Keegan-Michael Key
Grash it.
Thank you. Stop saying it, please. We gotta believe it.
We have to believe it is pronounced grash.
Okay. Yeah. Gonna have to keep leaping that out. Before you leave, you brought me a little food, which has been so nice. I had some of the best food here in Detroit.
Yes.
Shout out to she Wolf. Shout out to Buddy's. Shout out to Miller Inn. I had great food.
You went to London Chop House, right?
Yes, I did. That's right.
Yeah. Yeah. So we decided to bring you some food from a real Detroit staple. As a matter of fact, this restaurant's 20th anniversary is on Tuesday. It is called Slow's Barbecue, one of my favorites.
Jimmy Fallon
Here.
Keegan-Michael Key
We got some slows barbecue, some ribs, some brisket, cornbread.
Jimmy Fallon
I gotta do this Slow's pickles. Come on, Slows.
Keegan-Michael Key
Let's get into the slows.
I gotta do the slows right here. Cheers.
Get a little cornbread. Here we go.
Jimmy Fallon
I gotta get a little cornbread.
Keegan-Michael Key
Here we go.
Cheers to Detroit.
Welcome to the D. Thank you, bud.
Thank you for being here.
Jimmy Fallon
Keegan, Michael, Key, everybody. The history of sketch comedy is now available on Audible K. Cunningham joins us to the break. Stick around. Our next guest is the starting point guard from your Detroit Pistons. He's an NBA all star and former number one overall pick ever on. Please welcome Cade Cunningham.
Cade Cunningham
Thank you.
Jimmy Fallon
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Tonight show in Detroit.
Keegan-Michael Key
You, Kate, looking good, but Kate, you played all over the country. What stands out about Detroit fans? What sets them apart from other fans?
Cade Cunningham
Man, there's so much. There's so many things about it. I think the passion for one. This is like the most passionate city I think you could find sportswise. For sure, for sure, for sure.
Keegan-Michael Key
I'm losing my voice just trying to keep up with them.
Cade Cunningham
They've been greater. They're tough.
Keegan-Michael Key
They're tough, they're tough.
Cade Cunningham
I think, I mean, I think we have like the. The iciest, best looking city too, though.
Jimmy Fallon
Oh, really?
Cade Cunningham
If you. It's hard to see right now. You come to a Pistons game, everybody, they dress well.
Keegan-Michael Key
Really, they cheer hard, they dress nice. It's just go, Detroit. Everyone looks good out there. I see that. It's different.
Cade Cunningham
It's different.
Keegan-Michael Key
Speaking of looking good, speaking of looking, here you are on draft day. This is 2021, where you were the number one overall draft pick. Look at you right there now. How did you react when you found out that you were coming to the Pistons?
Cade Cunningham
I was so happy, man.
Keegan-Michael Key
You were?
Cade Cunningham
I was, yeah. I'm from Texas, so, you know, Michigan is like. It's very different, but I think just the culture, like the Pistons, such a historic franchise.
Keegan-Michael Key
Yeah.
Cade Cunningham
Like, I just wanted to be part of that, you know?
Keegan-Michael Key
So you've been crushing it. And I gotta say, we also. Can we zoom in? I like these. I like these sunglasses you're wearing right there. Come on.
Cade Cunningham
Well, I mean, I do this on. I think the whole city feels this way, man. We're so happy to have you in Detroit. That's the bus, man. You look good on the.
Keegan-Michael Key
Coming from.
Cade Cunningham
You got it back now.
Keegan-Michael Key
Coming from you now I'm coming now. I'm coming now. I'm not leaving. Come on.
Cade Cunningham
There we go.
Keegan-Michael Key
I'm at this. Can we talk about how old were you when you started playing basketball?
Cade Cunningham
Four. Four years old.
Keegan-Michael Key
Here's a picture of baby Cade right here playing basketball. No, no, no. Look at. No, no, look at this. The referee is tying his shoes. That's the best.
Cade Cunningham
I wish ref still treated me that way.
Jimmy Fallon
It doesn't happen now. No.
Cade Cunningham
Treat me that way.
Keegan-Michael Key
Yeah. The Ref should tie your shoes.
Cade Cunningham
I know, I know.
Keegan-Michael Key
Yeah, I know. In yearbooks, you know, they ask kids what do they want to be when they grow up. And in your yearbook, we got a couple pictures of you as a kid. And this one says, kate Cunningham, billionaire. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.
Jimmy Fallon
Yep.
Keegan-Michael Key
That's a kid. I love this kid. Yeah, I love this kid. And then.
Cade Cunningham
Yeah, I think. I think the year before that. Yeah, I think that might have been second grade. Yeah, my first grade, I put millionaire. And then I just next year dream bigger. Next year I was dreaming bigger. Dream bigger than that.
Keegan-Michael Key
No, but then we got the couple years after that. Look at this kid hitting NBA player.
Cade Cunningham
Yeah, that was the one. Yeah.
Keegan-Michael Key
You saw it happen. You saw that it was gonna be real.
Cade Cunningham
Yeah, I just. I love the game then, you know, like. Yeah, I like multiple sports, but I just love basketball. Basketball was different.
Keegan-Michael Key
NBA. NBA is back. Back on NBC, by the way. Which we're psyched about.
Cade Cunningham
Yes, sir.
Keegan-Michael Key
NBA is back in NBC. And Peacock has a. Every Monday night double header. But how'd you feel about the last couple seasons and how good you. You crushed it.
Cade Cunningham
We're on the way up. I mean, I. I feel great. There's so many things, you know.
Keegan-Michael Key
What changed?
Cade Cunningham
I think the start of that has to be Trajan Langdon, JB Bickerstaff.
Keegan-Michael Key
Yeah.
Cade Cunningham
First and foremost, they came in, they brought structure to us and just another hunger that really, I think helped guide us. We had a horrible year the year before they got here.
Keegan-Michael Key
Yeah.
Cade Cunningham
So everybody, we all had a chip on our shoulder. And then we bring in two guys like that. They also have a chip on their shoulder. I think it just made.
Keegan-Michael Key
Then you made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. That's you, bro.
Jimmy Fallon
That's you, man.
Cade Cunningham
For sure. For sure.
Jimmy Fallon
K. Cunningham and Detroit Business. Dance, everybody. More Tonight show after the break. Stick around, everybody. We are. We are right next to Ford Field, where just a few minutes ago, the.
Keegan-Michael Key
Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears.
Jimmy Fallon
And we have. We have one more surprise for you here now, straight from the game, defensive end Aiden Hudson. John. Look at that. Yo. Come on, bud. Look at that, bud. Congratulations. Come on, bud. Come on, guys. They're wearing your jersey. Come on. I can't hear you. Come on, bud. Congrats.
Keegan-Michael Key
Thank you so much, Jim. Thank you so much. Dude. You were our good luck Tron today. I promise you, you were. So because of that, you get the.
Honorary game ball, brother. That's incredible.
Jimmy Fallon
Come on. Aiden Hutchinson, right, everybody. The one only. We had such a great time here in Detroit. Everyone's been so nice. I want to thank Keegan, Michael Key, Kate Cunningham, the Detroit Business Dancers, Common the Rookie. Thanks to all our friends at Ford. Thanks to the city of Detroit.
Keegan-Michael Key
We love you.
Jimmy Fallon
We can't wait to come back. Good night, everybody.
Podcast Narrator
Thanks for listening to the Tonight show starring Jenny Fallon. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest episodes weekday mornings. Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon, weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
Jimmy Fallon brings The Tonight Show to Detroit’s iconic Opera House for a special celebration of the city’s unique culture, sports fandom, and community spirit. This episode features Detroit native and comedian Keegan-Michael Key and Pistons star Cade Cunningham. The show is packed with humor, Detroit pride, local flavor, and memorable moments, capped off by a visit from Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson after a big win.
Jimmy’s Detroit Welcome:
"We are in Detroit and coming to you from the Detroit Opera House." (00:05)
Original Detroit Song Parody:
“This must be how Eminem felt when he found a word that rhymed with orange.” (05:10)
Detroit’s Identity:
“Be careful when you Google that last one, okay?” (referring to “the D”) (05:41)
Returning Home:
“The first thing I have to say to you as a Detroiter, because this is how we greet everyone that comes to our town, is we say, what up, doe?” (07:45)
Sports Fandom and Achievements:
“It is way further than you think it is.” (10:01)
“We are limited partners in the New York Golf Club, which is one of the teams in the new TGL Golf League.” (10:47)
Comedy Roots and Detroit Institutions:
“So my theater roots, they begin right here. So much to thank Detroit for, for my career.” (13:04)
Detroit Street Name Challenge:
“There has never been a child in our city who I think should have been named Dequindre, which would have been a great name.” (15:33)
Detroit Food Tour:
“Cheers to Detroit. Welcome to the D.” (17:54)
Detroit Sports and Fans:
“This is like the most passionate city I think you could find sportswise. For sure, for sure, for sure.” (19:07) “They dress well. Everyone looks good out there. I see that.” (19:34–19:43)
Draft Day and Roots:
“I was so happy, man… I just wanted to be part of that, you know?” (20:13)
Career and NBA Changes:
“They came in, they brought structure to us and just another hunger that really, I think helped guide us. We had a horrible year the year before they got here.” (23:07)
“You were our good luck Tron today. I promise you, you were. So because of that, you get the honorary game ball, brother.” (25:02)
Keegan-Michael Key on Detroit:
On being back home:
On Detroit fans:
Playful City Jokes:
Teamwork Acknowledged:
On food and hospitality:
The episode is lively, cheery, and full of Detroit pride—both reverent and irreverent, mixing affectionate jokes with heartfelt appreciation. It balances playful ribbing (about other cities, street names, and sports misadventures) with genuine gratitude toward Detroit’s culture and community.
The show wraps with Jimmy, Keegan, and guests shouting out Detroit and promising to return. The entire episode highlights Detroit’s energy, humor, food, legacy, and unforgettable sports culture, providing a warm and hilarious showcase for the city.
“We had such a great time here in Detroit. Everyone’s been so nice… We love you. We can’t wait to come back.” (25:39)