The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Episode: Jimmy Reacts to Kimmel’s Suspension After FCC Pressure | Jude Law, Tom Yamas, Jonathan Groff
Date: September 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Tonight Show kicks off with Jimmy Fallon addressing the breaking news of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from ABC following FCC pressure, sharing his take with his trademark humor and support for Kimmel. The episode then features interviews with actor Jude Law (discussing his new Netflix series "Black Rabbit"), NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Yamas (reflecting on becoming lead anchor and his family's journey), and Broadway star Jonathan Groff (celebrating his role as Bobby Darin in "Just In Time"). The show blends timely commentary, laughter, anecdotes, and a look at the perseverance behind entertainment and news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jimmy Fallon's Monologue: Reacting to Kimmel's Suspension and News Jokes

• Jimmy addresses the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel:
  • "Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after pressure from the FCC leaving everyone thinking, WTF?" (01:05)
  • Notes confusion but shows solidarity: “I do know Jimmy Kimmel and he's a decent, funny and loving guy and I hope he comes back... A lot of people are worried that we won't keep saying what we want to say or that we'll be censored.” (01:32)
  • Makes it clear he won't change his approach: “But I'm going to cover the President's trip to the UK just like I normally would. Here we go.” (01:45)
• Satirical coverage of President Trump’s UK trip:
  • Jimmy teases Trump's appearance: “He looked incredibly handsome. His tie was exactly the right length and his face looked like a color that exists in nature.” (02:20)
  • Humor about protesters, conspiracy jokes, and the Trump administration: “Protesters managed to project images onto the sides of Windsor Castle of Trump standing next to his good friend Jeff Goldblum. Even though his administration still insists that he's not in the Goldblum file, which we all know is absolute bull. TR” (02:46)
  • Parody praise: “President Trump is making America great again by restoring our national reputation, reinvigorating our economy and rebuilding our military. I hereby nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. And you can quote me on that.” (03:07)
  • Jokes about an emergency landing on Marine One and Melania's hat: “They were going to hang glide to safety with Melania's hat.” (04:36)
• Audience survey segment ("Pie Charts"):
  • TV watching habits, “75% said, on some randos screen two rows in front of me on a flight.” (05:13)
  • Jokes about "The Hunting Wives," true crime docs, and awkward viewing moments.

2. Guest Interview: Jude Law (Actor, ‘Black Rabbit’)

Segment Start: [07:05]

• Discussing ‘Black Rabbit’:
  • “He stars in and executive produces the new Netflix series Black Rabbit. Jude Law is here tonight.” (06:17)
  • On working with Jason Bateman: “He plays a guy who starts a lot of fires and I put them out.” (10:08)
  • On Bateman’s dual role as co-star and director: “He makes it so seamless and easy. He runs a great set... flicks into the role and flicks out and goes and checks the model.” (10:22)
• Film Roles Predicting the Future:
  • Jimmy teases Jude about his roles in 'Contagion,' 'A.I.,' and 'The Young Pope' predicting real-life events. Jude jokes: “If there's any truth in that, I hope, I predict that you're on the air tomorrow night, the night after that.” (07:57)
• Meeting Harrison Ford at the Emmys:
  • “I met him like 30 years ago… and I reminded him of [our meeting]. He had no memory of it whatsoever.” (08:41)
  • Jimmy and Jude share stories; Jimmy recalls Ford piercing his ear in-studio. (09:14)
• Music Collaboration Details:
  • On 'Black Rabbit,' the series backstory as former rock band members: “To create the songs, you got Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes to help... He was like, yeah. How many songs do you want? I mean, I nearly said an album.” (10:56)
  • Jude and Jimmy connect over early 2000s NYC music scene, Jimmy’s time opening for The Strokes: “Oh, we got booed off the stage every night. It was rough… They threw bottles, nickels… At the time, I was like, I'm singing my song and just getting hit with things.” (12:19)
• On being in a Paul McCartney Music Video:
  • “All we had to do was sit and listen. And he got some amazing people in... Johnny Depp's in it. Meryl Streep's in it. Meryl Streep is really going for it. Dancing...” (13:38)
• Setting up ‘Black Rabbit’:
  • Jude explains: “I play Jake, he runs a very hot kind of night spot in lower East Manhattan. His brother Vince… can't seem to escape trouble, comes back into his life and everything starts to fall apart. It's very edgy… It's got a thriller aspect and a real propulsion… At its heart… it's about the love these guys have for each other and how far you go for that.” (14:16)
  • Jimmy highlights: “There is great twists. When you watch it, you're like, wait.” (14:54)
  • Jude adds: “…great music. New bands and bands from that era.” (14:58)

Memorable Quote:
Jude Law, on his supposed prophetic roles:

“If there's any truth in that, I hope, I predict that you're on the air tomorrow night, the night after that.” (07:57)

3. Guest Interview: Tom Yamas (NBC Nightly News Anchor)

Segment Start: [15:33]

• On becoming lead anchor:
  • “I walked into this building 20 years ago as an intern … I've just really worked hard, man, my whole life. And it's been incredible to me, it is America's newscast. It's where people turn to every night…” (16:24)
  • On being a Time 2025 Latino Leader: “My parents came here from Cuba. My parents are Cuban refugees. … They taught me and my brother to love this country and to work hard as well. … Now I'm the anchor of Nightly News. It's crazy.” (17:14)
• Family moments and support:
  • Jimmy met Tom’s parents and family: “I have a picture of your mom and dad watching. They had a watch party. … It was crazy.” (17:38)
  • Tom recalls: “It was a bar, and it was all filled with friends and family and people who love watching Nightly News. But there was a crazy breaking story…” (17:57)
  • On parental feedback: “My dad is Mr. Blunt. I'll call him and be like, bad hair day, huh?... My mom … I could have the worst newscast of my life. My mom was like, it was perfect. Maybe your best ever.” (18:34)
• Music and Vinyl Collections:
  • Tom has a vinyl listening room: “It's a place where you come in. I have all the records on the wall. It's all analog. … There's only one rule. If you come into the record room, you gotta play a record.” (19:18)
  • Record swap with Jimmy:
    • Tom gifts Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club: “This reminds me of Jimmy Fallon, man, because you're electric, dude.” (20:40)
    • Jimmy gifts Tom the Beatles’ Revolver, referencing “Good Day Sunshine”: “I like to sometimes just kick off my day. I want to make it as positive as possible. … And so I love Good Day Sunshine.” (21:14)
  • Emotional coincidence: Tom reveals “Good Day Sunshine” was playing when his daughter was born. (21:22)

Memorable Quote:
Tom Yamas, on his family's American journey:

“My parents are Cuban refugees. … They came here, this country gave them a second chance. And now I'm the anchor of Nightly News. It's crazy. That is the American dream.” (17:14)

4. Guest Interview: Jonathan Groff (Broadway star, ‘Just In Time’)

Segment Start: [22:43]

• Career highlights:
  • Jimmy celebrates Jonathan’s double Tony performance (“Just In Time” and “Hamilton”): “You performed twice. You performed Hamilton… and just in time. You. Crushed.” (23:05)
  • Surprise cameo: Jonathan straddling Keanu Reeves in the audience. “I had picked him to be the person that I straddled. Cause obviously, if Keanu Reeves is in the audience, you're gonna want to straddle him.” (24:22)
  • The humor continues: “We had fought together in the mo. We knew each other pretty intimately, but he'd never been between my legs.” (24:34)
  • Groff praises Keanu: “...the genius of Keanu Reeves, specifically, is the Yes-And nature... Some people would just laugh, he was like, rock and roll.” (24:49)
• On the making of ‘Just In Time’:
  • The show was eight years in development: “All of us that worked on it together put our blood, sweat and tears into it. And Bobby Darin is a super nova legend... it's such an honor to be shining a light on him again.” (25:43)
  • Inspired by a Bobby Darin music weekend: “... Ted Chapin asked me to do this weekend of Bobby Dern's music at the 92nd Street Y 8 and a half years ago.” (26:06)

Memorable Quote:
Jonathan Groff, on Broadway's long road:

“To have sold out houses after developing something for eight years means the world, all of us that worked on it together put our blood, sweat and tears into it.” (25:43)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after pressure from the FCC leaving everyone thinking, WTF?” — Jimmy Fallon (01:05)
• “If there's any truth in that, I hope, I predict that you're on the air tomorrow night, the night after that.” — Jude Law on his 'prophetic' roles (07:57)
• “My parents are Cuban refugees… Now I'm the anchor of Nightly News. It’s crazy. That is the American dream.” — Tom Yamas (17:14)
• “...the genius of Keanu Reeves, specifically, is the Yes-And nature of that. Some people would just laugh… he was like, rock and roll.” — Jonathan Groff (24:49)
• “To have sold out houses after developing something for eight years means the world…” — Jonathan Groff (25:43)
• “This reminds me of Jimmy Fallon, man, because you’re electric, dude.” — Tom Yamas gifting Sam Cooke's record (20:40)
• “We got booed off the stage every night… They threw bottles, nickels… At the time, I was like, I'm singing my song and just getting hit…” — Jimmy Fallon about opening for The Strokes (12:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Monologue / Kimmel Suspension Reaction: 01:05–04:36
• Audience Pie Charts & TV Humor: 05:09–06:17
• Jude Law Interview (‘Black Rabbit’): 07:05–15:11
• Tom Yamas Interview / American Dream / Vinyl: 15:33–21:54
• Jonathan Groff Interview (‘Just In Time’): 22:43–26:14

Summary in the Spirit of the Show

Jimmy Fallon uses razor-sharp wit to tackle late-night censorship fears, rallies support for fellow host Jimmy Kimmel, and expertly pivots to clever satire about current events. Jude Law brings insight, British charm, and stories about collaborations with Bateman, the Strokes, and Paul McCartney, plus musings on his unlikely prophetic filmography. Tom Yamas shares his immigrant family’s story, the climb to anchoring a national newscast, and his passion for music and family. Jonathan Groff closes out with Broadway energy, anecdotes about Keanu Reeves and perseverance, and celebrates the success of “Just In Time.” The episode is full of warmth, laughs, genuine admiration, and a spirit of “yes–and” — even (and especially) when the going gets weird on live TV.