Podcast Summary: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – RFK Jr. Warns People Not to Take His Medical Advice | The Weeknd, Young Mazino, Adam Goldstein | Thursday, May 15
Release Date: May 16, 2025
1. Opening Monologue and News Highlights
Timestamp: [00:00 – 05:33]
Jimmy Fallon kicks off the episode from Studio 60 in Rockabillia Center, New York City, alongside guest host The Weeknd and collaborators Max Young Mazino and Adam Goldstein. The monologue touches on a variety of current events with Fallon's signature humor:
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RFK Jr.'s Congressional Testimony: Fallon humorously comments on RFK Jr. advising the public not to take his medical advice, noting the irony and bipartisan agreement.
"RFK Jr. Just testified before Congress and he said, quote, I don't think people should be taking medical advice from me. It's ironic because that's actually some great medical advice." [03:15] -
Political News: He mentions Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attending Pope Leo's inauguration in Vatican City, adding a light-hearted anecdote about Rubio needing a boost to see everything.
"J.D. vance said he's gonna let Marco Rubio sit on his shoulders so he can see everything." [04:10] -
Pop Culture and Trends: Fallon jokes about Topps releasing a best-selling non-sports trading card of Pope Leo, and shares the news of President Trump welcoming his 11th grandchild, playfully contrasting it with Elon Musk's ventures.
"Topps said that Pope Leo's new card just became their best selling non sports card trading card of all time." [04:50]
"President Trump just welcomed his 11th grandchild after his daughter Tiffany gave birth to a baby boy." [05:00] -
Cannes Film Festival Mishaps: A humorous exchange ensues when Fallon mispronounces "Cannes" as "Tree," leading to playful banter and self-deprecation. He also comments on Tom Cruise receiving a standing ovation, joking about his acting skills.
"Cannes, but it's can. What was that? Tree?" [04:30]
"I saw Tom Cruise received a five minute standing ovation at the fest. Man, that guy, he acts so well." [04:45]
2. Interactive Game Segment: "Who Said It?"
Timestamp: [05:33 – 11:49]
Fallon introduces an engaging game where guests and the audience guess whether certain quotes were said by President Trump or a cartoon character. The segment features humorous interactions and playful competition:
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First Quote: "Daddy, can I go ice skating?"
- Participants' Guess: Majority voted Trump
- Reveal: "Cartoon character"
- "Daddy, Daddy, can I go ice skating? What? This is a great game." [09:16]
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Second Quote: "My ball went in the hole, so I win."
- Participants' Guess: All guessed Trump
- Reveal: Peppa Pig
- "Peppa Pig. All right, my bad. I'm two for two." [10:16]
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Third Quote: "Hello. Look, it's Santa Claus."
- Participants' Guess: Cartoon character
- Reveal: Confirmed as cartoon
- "Look at Santa Claus. How, how, how." [11:04]
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Final Quote: "Hey, who's that handsome guy?"
- Participants' Guess: Trump
- Reveal: Confirmed as Trump
- "Who said it. Hey, who's that handsome guy? That sounds like something Trump could have said." [11:41]
The segment concludes with audience applause and laughter, showcasing the light-hearted nature of the show.
3. In-Depth Interview with The Weeknd
Timestamp: [13:25 – 23:05]
The Weeknd returns to the stage, receiving a warm welcome from Fallon. The interview delves into his latest projects, personal anecdotes, and creative processes:
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Career Highlights: Fallon praises The Weeknd's achievements, including his 27 songs with over 1 billion streams on Spotify and his four Grammy wins.
"You have 27 songs with over 1 billion streams on Spotify. That's more songs than any artist in history." [16:07] -
New Projects: Discussion centers around The Weeknd's new album "Hurry Up Tomorrow" and his accompanying film of the same name, set for release on May 23rd.
"His new movie, Hurry Up Tomorrow, is out Friday. The Weeknd is here to talk." [07:22] -
Creative Process: The Weeknd shares insights into his creative journey, including the integration of acapella performances in his film and the challenges of writing lyrics under tight deadlines.
"I had to finish songs, like the day before scenes, like the last scene I'm singing, and I had to finish the lyrics and the melody that the day before, I had to shoot it." [20:34] -
Personal Stories: He recounts a pivotal moment when he lost his voice due to psychological stress in front of 80,000 people, leading to his artistic expression through music and film.
"I had lost my voice. I put a lot of, you know, self-imposed pressure on myself and I lost my voice in front of like 80,000 people." [21:08] -
Album Trilogy: The Weeknd explains that "Hurry Up Tomorrow" is the final chapter in his trilogy, following "After Hours" and "Dawn FM," aiming to provide fans with an epic, cohesive narrative.
"Hurry Up Tomorrow is like the final chapter to this trilogy." [19:36] -
Humorous Exchange: A light-hearted moment occurs when Fallon promotes "Mission Impossible," humorously presenting himself as the pilot, showcasing the show's playful rapport.
"Get ready for the ultimate showdown in Mission Impossible. The Final Reckoning..." [15:22]
"That's my movie, by the way. Not Tom Cruise's movie. That's my movie." [22:31]
4. Interview with Max Young Mazino and Adam Goldstein
Timestamp: [24:25 – 34:02]
The segment features Max Young Mazino and Adam Goldstein, discussing their roles in "The Last of Us" and the innovative ventures of Archer Aviation:
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Max Young Mazino on "The Last of Us": Mazino shares his experience working on the Emmy-nominated series, describing the intense environment and collaboration with fellow actors.
"It's about somebody who goes on a dark path after he injures himself and finds a stranger that helps him face himself." [21:04] -
Behind the Scenes Stories: Adam Goldstein recounts a surreal moment post-Emmys when he encountered fellow actor Paul Walterhauser, emphasizing the camaraderie and humility within the acting community.
"I just remember after the Emmys, I was leaving and I happened to be by myself and I saw Paul Walterhauser who won the Emmy for my category..." [24:26] -
Working on "The Last of Us": Discussions highlight the physical demands of portraying characters in a post-apocalyptic setting, including interactions with prosthetics and maintaining character immersion.
"We didn't tell anyone this, but we all individually brought our own guitars. And for me, it's personally my escape, my therapy." [27:22] -
Archer Aviation's Innovations: Adam Goldstein introduces Archer Aviation, detailing their development of electric flying cars aimed at revolutionizing daily travel. He explains the technological advancements that made this possible, particularly in battery technology.
"Once you go electric, you can build a totally new type of aircraft. It allows you to build something at a very high level of safety, so you can produce it for the masses." [29:23] -
Partnership with the 2028 Olympics: Goldstein announces Archer Aviation's partnership with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, positioning the company as the exclusive provider of air taxis for the event.
"We're going to launch them in LA. Everybody's going to be able to take them. It's going to be a huge thing." [32:08] -
Interactive Demonstration: In a playful gesture, Fallon dons the first Archer LA 2028 Olympics jacket and humorously assumes the role of pilot, highlighting the company's futuristic vision.
"Here we go. I gotta do whatever I can do for my country." [33:47]
5. Closing Remarks and Future Teasers
Timestamp: [34:02 – End]
Fallon wraps up the episode by promoting upcoming guests and reinforcing key highlights:
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Upcoming Guests: Teasers for future episodes include appearances by Tom Cruise, Ana de Armas, Jessica Biel, and Jin from BTS, indicating a lineup rich with high-profile personalities.
"We've got big shows coming up... Tom Cruise will be here next week. Ana de Armas will be on the show. Plus, my pal Jessica Biel and Jin from BTS will be here." [05:33] -
Final Shout-Outs: The Weeknd, Max Young Mazino, and Adam Goldstein receive acknowledgments, along with a nod to the musical talents of the Roots from Philadelphia.
"Good night, everybody. Thank you." [34:25] -
Subscription Reminder: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe for the latest episodes available weekday mornings across various platforms.
"Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest episodes weekday mornings, wherever you get your podcasts." [End]
Key Insights and Themes
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Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The episode highlights the convergence of music, film, and technological innovation, showcasing how celebrities like The Weeknd engage in multifaceted projects that span different industries.
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Humor and Relatability: Fallon’s monologue and interactions infuse humor into current events and personal anecdotes, making complex topics accessible and entertaining for the audience.
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Innovation in Transportation: Through Adam Goldstein's discussion, Archer Aviation's advancements in electric flying cars underscore a significant shift towards sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions, aligning with future-forward Olympic events.
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Artistic Expression as Therapy: The Weeknd's candid conversation about overcoming psychological challenges through art emphasizes the therapeutic power of creativity and its impact on personal growth and public connection.
Notable Quotes
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Jimmy Fallon on RFK Jr.:
"RFK Jr. Just testified before Congress and he said, quote, I don't think people should be taking medical advice from me. It's ironic because that's actually some great medical advice." [03:15] -
The Weeknd on Album Trilogy:
"Hurry Up Tomorrow is like the final chapter to this trilogy." [19:36] -
Adam Goldstein on Archer Aviation:
"Once you go electric, you can build a totally new type of aircraft. It allows you to build something at a very high level of safety, so you can produce it for the masses." [29:23] -
The Weeknd on Overcoming Vocal Injury:
"I had lost my voice. I put a lot of, you know, self-imposed pressure on myself and I lost my voice in front of like 80,000 people." [21:08]
This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, offering insights into the discussions, highlights significant quotes with timestamps, and provides a structured overview for those who haven't listened to the full podcast.
