The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – December 12, 2024

Episode: Most Americans Disapprove of Biden's Hunter Pardon | Ray Romano, ROSÉ

Opening Monologue

Timestamp: [00:00 - 04:10]

The episode kicks off with Jimmy Fallon welcoming the audience to Studio 6B at Rockefeller Center amidst the bustling heart of New York City. Reflecting on recent events, Jimmy humorously addresses a severe storm that hit NYC, featuring 50 mph winds and 3 inches of rain. He lightens the mood with NBC's quirky announcement: “you can keep whatever branches from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree that fall on you” (00:30).

Fallon delves into the holiday spirit, playfully contrasting the festive sounds of Mariah Carey with the city's usual sirens and jackhammers. He shares a relatable observation: “We're close to the point where you stop thinking what's the best gift and start thinking what will show up in time” (03:15), highlighting the pressures of holiday shopping.

Transitioning to media, Jimmy mentions the recent airing of "Frosty the Snowman," noting its modern twist to appeal to younger audiences. He also humorously critiques the season's sentimental commercials, showcasing examples that blend heartfelt messages with unexpected punchlines, such as a holiday ad for Tamu and another promoting Cybertruck (04:00).

Amidst the cheerful banter, Jimmy touches on a more serious note, citing a poll revealing that only 22% of Americans support President Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. He balances this by mentioning that Biden's approval rating remains double that percentage (04:10). Additionally, he warns viewers about postal service scams targeting holiday shoppers and shares a surprising tidbit about a humpback whale's record-breaking migration of 8,000 miles (04:30).

Battle of the Instant Songwriters

Timestamp: [05:00 - 10:00]

The show transitions into a lively segment titled "Battle of the Instant Songwriters," where audience members compete to create original songs based on randomly assigned titles. Two contestants are introduced:

1. Meredith Lampe from Seattle receives the title “I Think Santa is My Uber Eats Driver.” Performing with her guitar, Meredith delivers a humorous and catchy tune:

   “Christmas Eve, and I got hungry. I ordered in some food...
   Cause I think Santa is my Uber Eats driver.”
   06:59

   Her creative take on blending holiday themes with modern conveniences wins over the audience.

2. Leo Lovechild from the Upper West Side is tasked with “Babysitting the Rizzler.” Accompanied by his guitar, Leo presents a playful song about managing a charismatic figure known as the Rizzler:

   “He's got charm, he's got style makes the ladies all go wild...
   I'm babysitting the Rizzler tonight.”
   08:07

After performances, the audience votes to determine the winner. Meredith emerges victorious, earning an “I Love Music” sweatshirt, a notebook for songwriting, and a $1,000 check. Leo also receives recognition, ensuring both contestants leave with memorable rewards (09:00).

Interview with Ray Romano

Timestamp: [10:00 - 19:00]

Ray Romano, a three-time Emmy winner known for his work on “Everybody Loves Raymond” and the upcoming Netflix series “No Good Deed,” joins Jimmy Fallon on stage. Their conversation spans Ray’s personal life, career milestones, and comedic anecdotes:

• Family Milestones: Ray shares the joyous occasion of walking his daughter down the aisle at a wedding held at the New York Public Library:

  “You know, I have to give my daughter credit. She found a way to get my family back into a library.”
  12:10

  He humorously remarks on the high costs associated with the venue, hinting at his participation in “Ice Age 6” to balance expenses (12:27).

• Sons' Marriages and Grandchildren: Ray updates Jimmy on his sons’ recent marriages, culminating in his playful pursuit of becoming a grandfather by offering financial incentives:

  “I'm putting a prize. 100 grand for a boy, 50 for a girl.”
  13:14

• Parenting Challenges: Discussing his youngest son, Ray shares a comedic story about his son’s unpredictable behavior:

  “I got a bottle of booze on the counter... you're in your underwear... I win.”
  14:31

  The anecdote highlights the humorous side of parenting a young adult.

• Marriage and Humor: Ray delves into his long-term marriage, drawing laughs with his comparison of sex to jury duty:

  “Sex doesn't stop. It slows down... sex is kind of like jury duty to my wife.”
  15:54

  He also humorously recounts a dream where his wife confronted him, adding depth to their relationship dynamics (16:03).

• New Series “No Good Deed”: Ray elaborates on his role in the newly released series, describing the plot and his on-screen chemistry with co-star Lisa Kudrow:

  “It's everything that goes into that. There's secrets that we're keeping... there's the comedy, there's the mystery.”
  18:16

  He praises co-star Lisa Kudrow’s performance and shares insights into the show's development, emphasizing its blend of humor and intrigue (18:30).

Return of ROSÉ

Timestamp: [19:00 - 25:05]

The show welcomes back ROSÉ, a member of the record-breaking group Blackpink, to discuss her debut solo album, "Rosie." The interview covers her musical journey, creative process, and personal anecdotes:

• Early Beginnings: ROSÉ reflects on her childhood in Australia, where her passion for singing was evident, leading her father to encourage her musical pursuits by sending her to auditions:

  “I grew up in Australia... my dad eventually just kind of like sent me to an audition...”
  20:08

• Learning Guitar: She shares the challenges of learning guitar, humorously recalling her first, inexpensive instrument:

  “It was a cheap one. So, like, my fingers hurt so much... it's still my favorite guitar and a Taylor GS Mini.”
  21:32

• Auditioning for Blackpink: ROSÉ narrates her unexpected acceptance into Blackpink, a journey that transformed her aspirations:

  “I walked in like I thought it was a joke... they called me and I'm like, what's happening? […] now here you are with your first full-length solo album.”
  22:17

• Creative Process: Discussing her album "Rosie," she explains how stories and spontaneous ideas fuel her songwriting, often collaborating with friends and songwriters:

  “Stories come first... I jot down a bunch of ideas and sometimes I like, text my songwriter friends.”
  23:55

• Hit Single "APT": ROSÉ elaborates on her viral hit "APT," inspired by Korean drinking games and personal experiences celebrating her 20th birthday:

  “APT is a Korean drinking game that I like... we used to play drinking games and APT was one of them.”
  25:05

The segment highlights ROSÉ's authenticity and the fusion of cultural elements in her music, contributing to her international acclaim.

Closing Remarks

Jimmy Fallon wraps up the episode by congratulating both guests on their recent achievements—Ray Romano on his new Netflix series and ROSÉ on her successful solo album release. He encourages viewers to stay tuned for upcoming episodes and extends gratitude to the audience for their participation and enthusiasm.

This detailed summary captures the essence of the December 12, 2024 episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," highlighting key segments, guest interactions, and memorable moments. Whether you're catching up or reminiscing, this overview provides a comprehensive look into an entertaining and insightful episode.