Kieran Culkin, Marcello Hernández and Kenan Thompson (Extended) | Original Air Date February 6

Summary

Summary of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Featuring Kieran Culkin, Marcello Hernández, and Kenan Thompson (Extended)

Original Air Date: February 6
Release Date: February 20, 2025

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Introduction

In this extended episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, host Jimmy Fallon welcomes three distinguished guests: Oscar-nominated actor Kieran Culkin, and beloved Saturday Night Live veterans Kenan Thompson and Marcello Hernández. The episode offers an engaging blend of interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and humorous anecdotes, providing viewers with an intimate look into the lives and careers of these talented performers.

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Kieran Culkin: Broadway and Oscar Buzz

Promotion of New Projects
Jimmy Fallon opens the segment by introducing Kieran Culkin, highlighting his recent achievements and upcoming ventures. Culkin discusses his latest film, "A Real Pain," available in theaters and on Hulu, and his forthcoming Broadway appearance in "Glengarry Glen Ross" at the Palace Theater, set to premiere on March 10.

Kieran Culkin (00:19): "Starting March 10, you could see him on Broadway in Glengarry Glen Ross at the Palace Theater."

Broadway Rehearsals and Cast Insights
Culkin shares his excitement about returning to the Broadway stage, detailing the rehearsal process and his collaboration with notable cast members such as Bill Burr, Bob Odenkirk, and Michael McKean.

Kieran Culkin (01:23): "We're day four of rehearsal. So how is it going? I'm so excited."

He praises his co-stars' talents, expressing particular enthusiasm for Bill Burr's potential in a theatrical setting.

Kieran Culkin (02:00): "I'd love to see Bill Burr in theater on stage. He's excellent. Like, they all are."

Oscar Nomination Reflections
The conversation shifts to Culkin's Oscar nomination for his role in A Real Pain. When asked about his feelings regarding the nomination, Culkin humorously admits his difficulty in addressing his emotions.

Kieran Culkin (03:04): "It feels like I'm confused as to why people keep asking how I'm feeling."

He acknowledges the competitive landscape of the awards, specifically mentioning co-star Jeremy Strong, yet maintains a humble perspective on his own achievements.

Kieran Culkin (03:33): "It's like, it's really nice to be nominated, but it's much nicer to be in there with a friend and somebody that's also incredibly talented."

Collaborative Efforts with Jesse Eisenberg
Culkin delves into the creative process behind A Real Pain, emphasizing the collaborative synergy with writer and director Jesse Eisenberg. He commends Eisenberg's ability to write roles that actors can seamlessly embody.

Kieran Culkin (06:10): "He's written it. I was thinking about him as I was watching you, because you're so good in this."

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Kenan Thompson and Marcello Hernández: SNL Legends

Introduction to SNL50 Special
Jimmy Fallon transitions to welcome Saturday Night Live stalwarts Kenan Thompson and Marcello Hernández. He highlights their participation in the upcoming SNL50 Anniversary Special, which airs live on February 16 at 8 PM on NBC and streams on Peacock.

Jimmy Fallon (09:19): "Please welcome Kenan Thompson and Marcelo Hernandez."

Early Aspirations and Athletic Pursuits
The trio reminisces about their childhood aspirations, with Kenan sharing his early dream of playing in the Super Bowl and Marcello revealing his initial interest in soccer before gravitating towards comedy.

Jimmy Fallon (10:07): "Oh, yeah, I definitely have been."

Marcelo Hernández (10:24): "No, I was just a soccer player. They made me kick."

Transition to Comedy and SNL Careers
Marcello discusses his shift from sports to stand-up comedy, detailing his parents' skepticism and eventual support for his comedic pursuits.

Marcelo Hernández (11:29): "I told my mom about it, and she was like, yeah, I think that you're crazy. And that could work for comedy."

Kenan and Marcelo reflect on their long-standing friendship and professional collaborations within SNL, celebrating their contributions to the show's legacy.

Kieran Culkin (12:03): "We've known each other for a long time."

SNL Sketches and Character Commitments
The conversation delves into specific SNL sketches, including interactions with celebrities like Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter. Marcelo highlights the unexpected real-world recognition of their characters, emphasizing the impact of their performances.

Marcelo Hernández (13:20): "It was insane. I never imagined that it could be something that crazy."

Kenan shares amusing instances of being mistaken for his iconic characters, showcasing the enduring popularity of their work.

Jimmy Fallon (14:17): "Like, literally two days ago, an adult woman with full confidence said, oh, it's good to see you, Kel."

Upcoming SNL50 Anniversary Special
As the segment concludes, Kenan and Marcelo promote the SNL50 Anniversary Special, inviting viewers to celebrate five decades of comedic excellence.

Kieran Culkin (14:46): "Kenan Thompson, Marcelo Hernandez, everybody. SNL50."

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Closing Remarks

Jimmy Fallon wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe for the latest episodes and tune into upcoming broadcasts on NBC and Peacock. The episode successfully blends humor with heartfelt discussions, offering fans a comprehensive glimpse into the professional lives and camaraderie of Kieran Culkin, Kenan Thompson, and Marcello Hernández.

Jimmy Fallon (15:16): "Watch the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kieran Culkin (00:19): "Starting March 10, you could see him on Broadway in Glengarry Glen Ross at the Palace Theater."
• Kieran Culkin (03:04): "It feels like I'm confused as to why people keep asking how I'm feeling."
• Marcelo Hernández (10:24): "No, I was just a soccer player. They made me kick."
• Jimmy Fallon (09:19): "Please welcome Kenan Thompson and Marcelo Hernandez."
• Jimmy Fallon (14:17): "Like, literally two days ago, an adult woman with full confidence said, oh, it's good to see you, Kel."

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This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't had the chance to listen. The inclusion of notable quotes with specific timestamps adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, ensuring a rich and engaging portrayal of the show's content.

Transcript

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're listening to a special Fallon flashback episode of the Tonight Show. And now, here he is, Jimmy Fallon Worldwide.

[Kieran Culkin]

Our first guest is Oscar nominated for his role in the new movie A Real Pain, which is in theaters and streaming on Hulu now. And. And starting March 10, you could see him on Broadway in Glengarry Glen Ross at the Palace Theater. Everyone, please welcome Kieran Culkin. I can't sit down. Sit down. All right, I'll sit down. I'm just so excited to see you, Kieran. You came back.

Yes, I did. Thank you for having me.

Thank you for coming back.

Working on my Broadway pipes right there.

Yeah. This is very. This is exciting.

It's a new mug.

It is a new mug. I got a new.

I have the old one. Can I get a. I didn't get this in my room. Can I get a mug?

It's a 10 year one.

This is why I come here. The swag. I want the.

Yeah, every year we change it up a little. This is 10.

Yeah, we'll have that one.

In fact, take that one.

Oh, that's why it's here. Right?

[Jimmy Fallon]

There you go.

[Kieran Culkin]

It's for you, bud. Break a leg. Yeah.

Tequila.

Yeah, you can. Hey, that should be mine. Congrats on Broadway. You're rehearsing now.

Yeah, yeah. We're day four of rehearsal.

So how is it going?

I'm so excited. Yeah. How do I know? I was about to say, like, great, but how do I know? It's like, day four? I mean, I think it's great.

But you've done theater before.

I have. It's been, like 10 years. But this is great. It is. Actually, I've done theater quite a bit, but, like, the table read for this. I was like, oh, this is really good. Which I never get. I never get that feeling. So I don't know. I'm kind of now excited, I guess.

But who's in this with you? Because they.

Bill Burr. Bob Odenkirk.

Bill Burr.

Let's see.

Bob Odenkirk. Michael McKeon.

Yeah.

Bob Odenkirk. Michael Mckeon. Bill Burr.

I know. It's an incredible cast.

I'd love to see Bill Burr in theater on stage.

Excellent. I mean, it's day four, but, like, right away. The tabor.

Yeah, we don't know. We don't know.

Give him time.

He might be terrible. Yeah.

Watch out.

Yeah, of course.

He's excellent. Like, they all are. There's a scene that, like, we did at the table that's just Michael McKean and Bill Burr. And already I was like, put the show up. Put it up tomorrow. Like, I want to see this.

I want to see that. Put this up right now.

Just put that one scene up. That scene's at least right.

And you, by the way.

Well, yeah, I'm in it, too. That's what I'm doing. Yes.

That's who I want. I want to see you.

That's good. Wait, you just did Broadway, right?

I just did a stint on Broadway. Yeah. I did a stint.

Did they call it a week?

I did a week on Broadway.

I heard you did that while also doing the show.

I did, yeah.

And you're alive.

I really went for it.

Yeah. Why would you do that? You do them both at the same. Do it on your week off. Do you ever take a week off?

No.

No, but I should take a day. Well, if you ever need, like a guest host, you know, I'm around.

You would do it.

I would do it.

I appreciate that.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You already got the mug.

[Kieran Culkin]

You already got the mug.

I got the mug. I'm ready.

Congrats on your Oscar nomination.

Thank you.

We just talk about this Oscar nomination for a real pa. How does it feel to be an Oscar nominee?

It feels like I'm confused as to why people keep asking how I'm feeling.

Yeah.

And whenever they do, I'm like, oh, I don't know. Am I supposed to be that in touch with my feelings? Yeah. I have like a one hour session once a week with a therapist who also asks me how I'm feeling. Yeah, yeah, I'm working on that. I mean, it's like 45 minutes a week. One day I'll know.

Yes.

Many times. How does it feel? I don't know. Give me a moment. I don't know.

But you're up against.

And it's great is what I mean. That's what I want to say.

You're up against. Jeremy Strong is one of the actors. You're up against your co star.

I wouldn't. Yeah.

On success.

It's funny you say up against. That's like a thing that feels weird. Up against. Like I'm in the same category as him, which feels great because it's like, it's already. It's really nice to be nominated, but it's really. It's much nicer to be in there. You won this.

This is in the bag. His nomination means nothing.

No, it's like, it's nice to. It's always nice to be in there, but it's really nice to be in there with A friend and somebody that's also incredibly talented. His performance in that. I told him when I saw it, I was like, this is possibly the best performance I've seen this year or in many years. He's absolutely in the Apprentice.

Oh, he's unbelievable.

He's fantastic in it. I've just been telling everybody, go see this movie. He's incredible. So it's.

Enjoy it with a friend. Yeah.

And it's nice.

I saw both of you posted after you got nominated. It was really funny. Jeremy posted this and speaking, saying, this morning's nomination is incredibly nice. And then you put on yours, your opening champagne. You put, let's effing go.

Well, I didn't release a fricking statement. That's my wife's Instagram.

But your wife is awesome, by the way.

And then people are like, I loved your statement. I'm like, I didn't.

You know, either way, it counts.

Either way. That was. We drank a lot of champagne.

Yeah. Are you in Paris? Did I see the Eiffel Tower there?

You are a detective. Yes. Very good.

Where in the world. Carmen Sandiego.

There it is. Reference.

What were you doing, bud? Thank you.

I was there for show. Dior fashion show. Have you done those?

God.

I know.

Look at you. Oh, my goodness.

Dior invited me to this.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Wow.

[Kieran Culkin]

Did Dior invited you?

Yeah.

Oh, my gosh. That must be.

They gave us the bottle of champagne as well.

Oh, my goodness. That was the view from our room.

We could see the Eiffel Tower.

Oh, la la sassant. Will you prepare a speech?

Oh, my God, no. Why?

What for? What you mean for the Oscar?

No, I can't do that. I don't know how to. If you've ever seen. I had to do a couple speeches.

You don't like.

Obviously not. I can't rehearse the thing. If I, like, think about it the day before, like, in the past, I've thought about it, and I'll be, like, in the shower getting nervous, and I'll realize I've been in the shower for an hour and a half just trying to calm down, thinking about what to say. And then, like, you get there and you don't win and you feel like an idiot.

And then. Or you win and you have.

Or you win. And then I go, oh, I'm up there now I'm panicked because I have this rehearse thing, and I don't know how to do it. So I realize I just can't think about it at all.

Okay. Yeah, let's all not Think about it.

Nobody think about it.

No one think about it. Go see a Real Pain in theaters and on Hulu, but don't think about it.

When you watch it. Don't think about it.

It is so fun to watch you. And it's written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg.

Yeah, he's great.

He is fantastic.

Yeah, he's wrote it. Directed it.

I was thinking about him as I was watching you, because you're so good in this. And I was just thinking about a writer. Like, when a writer writes a piece, they just hope that someone delivers the line perfectly. And you do that and deliver it perfectly. And I was like, oh, my gosh, I would have messed that line up. Any other actor would have messed that line up. I go, you're nailing every nuance, every line, and go, that's what a writer wants. That's what a director wants.

He told me later he really wanted to play my part. He got talked out of it by one of the producers. Emma Stevenson talked him out of it, really? And when I asked him, I said, like, oh, like. But, I mean, I guess I could see you in that part. He goes, I would have done it differently than you. And when I asked him, I said, how would you have done it? He was like. I would have been like, you know, like, what does that.

What does that mean?

Is that the whole artist.

That's his. Yeah. No, he could never. It's perfect the way it is.

No. And so that happened. And then he cast me without auditioning me, or as it turns out, he's never seen me in anything ever.

That shocked me because he actually did see you.

He. No, he saw me in Home Alone.

There you go.

But I don't think, like, yeah, that's all you need. I don't think in, like, 1990, when he was 7, he saw that, and then 35 years later was like, I want the suspenders. Pee pee. Pepsi Kid. That's the one I want in my movie.

So how did you.

His sister told him the story is. Unless he's totally full of. He sent his sister, like, 10 pages of script, and she was like, oh, you should cast Kieran. He was like, yeah, all right. That doesn't make any sense. I know. And he thinks it makes sense, and it doesn't. He's like, yeah, I met you before. I'm like, we met twice in passing. That's not how you cast somebody in the movie.

It's just the most fun chemistry. You can't take your eyes off the screen with both of you guys. And it's a beautiful story as well. Can we set it up for everyone?

Yeah, you can do it. I'm really okay. Yeah. This is a test to see if he's actually seen the movie.

You and your cousin. You and your cousin get together to go.

Stop reading. This is real.

No, this is real. To go and visit where your grandmother's from and the Holocaust and go to Poland.

That's good. It's better than I could announce. Yeah.

And you go there, and it's a very dramatic part of your life to go there, but you get to see how you get along with each other and then your past.

You're good at this.

Okay, good. Is that all right? That's good. I did it.

All right.

Yeah. Good. And he's very, very. He's very funny as well, by the way. Also, Jennifer Grey.

Jennifer Grey.

Jennifer Grey is fantastic in this. Kieran Tolkien, everybody. A Real Pain is in theaters and on Hulu now. Go see him in Glengarry glen Ross starting March 10th. More tonight to add to the break. Stick around, everybody.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Check it out. You know my tone to the sounds of the arts, of the double O to the T. SNI Stretch limits of this profession. My voice, physical fit checks a bitch pressing my mic.

[Kieran Culkin]

Our next guests are two very funny people who you know from Saturday Night Live. SNL50. The anniversary special airs live on February 16th at 8pm on NBC and streams on Peacock. They also have a new commercial out with T mobile. Please welcome Kenan Thompson and Marcelo Hernandez. That's right. Oh, my gosh. Welcome back. They love you. We love you. Come on. We got a lot to talk about. Ooh.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Let's talk about it.

[Kieran Culkin]

Looking good. Hey, the super bowl is this weekend. Did both of you have dreams of playing in the Super Bowl? Because I'll show you a picture of. Here's a young Keenan right here.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, yeah, I definitely have been.

[Kieran Culkin]

Tiny little baby. That's right. And then.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Biggest shoulder pads in the world.

[Kieran Culkin]

Young Marcella.

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Look at him getting after it.

[Kieran Culkin]

Come on. Did you have any ideas? Were you good or.

[Marcelo Hernandez]

No, I was just a soccer player. They made me kick.

[Kieran Culkin]

Okay.

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Yeah. But I was different, though. My leg was crazy.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. I played till, like, ninth grade. And then everybody became, like, monsters, and I was still, like. I was like 5 foot flat. So I decided to start playing the trumpet.

[Kieran Culkin]

Did you start playing the trumpet?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yep. Marching band. That's right.

[Kieran Culkin]

You were.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You get a letter for the marching band. So I was like, yeah, that's what I got my letter in.

[Kieran Culkin]

Oh, Here you are playing soccer, by the way. Marcelo, come on, bro.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I'm cold. Dead serious.

[Kieran Culkin]

Real serious.

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Yeah, bro. Yeah. I also look a little suspicious. If you look closely. I look suspicious. I'm looking.

[Kieran Culkin]

Yeah. What's going on here?

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Like, what are you talking about?

[Kieran Culkin]

What was this guy like? Did you think again, comedy in the works?

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Not then. No, No. I was not funny at all right there. I was very serious.

[Kieran Culkin]

Were your parents going, like, I think you should be soccer?

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Well, I did. Like, I started doing stand up while I was playing soccer, and then I told my mom about it, and she was like, yeah, I think that you're crazy. And that could work for comedy. And then I told my dad I wanted to do comedy, and he was like, oh, no, I don't like that. Don't do that.

[Kieran Culkin]

No, no, no, no. Let's talk about Saturday Night Live. Okay. This is the 50th anniversary show. Next week, next Sunday, 55. 0.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That means that I've known you for 22 years now. I know, bro.

[Kieran Culkin]

We've known each other for a long time.

[Jimmy Fallon]

How crazy is that?

[Kieran Culkin]

We've known each other for a long time.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Wow, bro.

[Kieran Culkin]

Jaden's always. I'm always in awe to watch you because you're one of the best out there, man. You're the best to ever do it. I love every. Every scene, every sketch I ever did with you. I always love doing with you, man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Forget about it. But this is coming from the guy. I was just telling Marcelo, like, you are one of the goats. Like, the way you commit to characters and, like, even the little things. Like, we were looking at the Kenny Rogers, you and Miley Cyrus picture backstage. It's unbelievable. You engulf character. You have such a good time with it and your dedication to the fans nightly, bro. Like, you're a God. Love you, man.

[Kieran Culkin]

Snl. SNL made us. Snl. SNL made us. Obviously, you had a great year with Domingo. Tell you about this, dude. So you did the sketch with Ariana Grande, you did Domingo, and then Sabrina Carpenter. The Sabrina Carpenter has you arrested at her concert and brought on stage. Come on. How fun is this? Look at this.

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Yeah. Oh, my God, the goatee.

[Kieran Culkin]

What is that? Like having a character outside of SNL just get totally recognized like crazy.

[Marcelo Hernandez]

It was insane. I never imagined that it could be something that crazy. Like, I didn't write the sketch. It was Keiro Sullivan and Jimmy Foley and Sudie Green, and I was able to actually take a couple of them to this concert, and they got to see it live and it was crazy. And also Ali Levitan was writing on that. And then I put that picture up with Sabrina, and then a couple of my aunts were like, and why have we not met her?

[Kieran Culkin]

Yeah, no, I'm not really. And I'm not really Domingo.

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Yeah, no, that's not.

[Kieran Culkin]

It's a character.

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Yeah, that's a wig.

[Kieran Culkin]

Keenan. Do people just yell that? I mean, I've been out with you where a couple people just say, what's up with that? Or they.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I feel like I get Kelled the most, though. Yeah.

[Kieran Culkin]

They call you Kel. They call you Kel from Kenan and.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Kel, like, literally two days ago, an adult woman with full confidence said, oh, it's good to see you, Kel.

[Kieran Culkin]

You're like Kel from Kenan and Kel.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, I know what you're trying to say.

[Kieran Culkin]

Yeah, I'm the Keenan say, of course.

[Jimmy Fallon]

So, like, I corrected her. But, you know, it's good. I felt her, you know?

[Kieran Culkin]

People love you, man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

People love.

[Kieran Culkin]

Bro. I think you get a good burger if I go to the Yankee game with you every now and then.

[Jimmy Fallon]

100%. 100%.

[Kieran Culkin]

You got a bunch of.

[Jimmy Fallon]

We should build a good burger, right?

[Kieran Culkin]

We should build a good. A good burger in Times Square.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You want to do one?

[Kieran Culkin]

Let's do one. I would do one in two seconds, man. Me and Kel.

You kidding me?

[Marcelo Hernandez]

Come on.

[Kieran Culkin]

Kenan Thompson, Marcelo Hernandez, everybody. SNL50. The anniversary special airs live February 16th at 8pm on NBC. Streams on Peacock. We'll be right back, everybody.

[Jimmy Fallon]

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.