Summary of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Episode: Tesla Recalls Nearly All Cybertrucks | Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, Elizabeth Olsen | Thursday, March 20
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Host: Jimmy Fallon
Guests: Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, Elizabeth Olsen, Matthew Reed (Trump Aide)
Introduction and Monologue
The episode kicks off from Studio 6P at Rockefeller Center, with Jimmy Fallon enthusiastically welcoming the audience. He introduces the night's guests: Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, and Elizabeth Olsen. Fallon dives into a series of lighthearted topics, blending current events with humor.
Notable Topics Discussed:
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Tesla's Cybertruck Recall
- Fallon: "As if Tesla isn't having enough problems, they just recalled nearly all Cybertrucks because the roof panels can detach while driving. It’s dangerous."
- Fallon adds humorously: "Tesla is fixing the issue by putting a large sheet of tin foil over the top like it's a leftover pot roast."
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President Trump's Executive Order
- Fallon: "President Trump signed an executive order to shut down the Department of Education. It's a historic move that years from now, kids will not read about in history textbooks."
- Matthew Reed, Trump Aide (00:24): "We don’t need the Board of Education. It's not rocket science... I mean, rock science."
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March Madness Commentary
- Fallon: "Today was the official start of March Madness. Each team usually gets to air a commercial for their school."
- Matthew Reed humorously critiques the commercials: "Duke's ad was polished, while Lipscomb University's ad was a 'whole thing's a mess.'"
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Creative Excuse Generator
- Fallon introduces: "People are using a special excuse generator to skip work and watch March Madness."
- Matthew Reed lists humorous excuses, such as, "I tried, but on my way in my Tesla exploded," and "I'm attending a funeral for Hooters."
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Disney's Live-Action Movie Announcements
- Fallon shares mock casting choices: "Stitch will be played by King Charles," "Mr. Potato Head by Steve Harvey," and "Nemo's dad by Donald Trump."
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Paramount's '1923' Viewership Rise
- Matthew Reed highlights: "1923 viewership is up 56%, with season two premieres seen by 17 million people."
Guest Segment: Matthew Reed
Jimmy brings Matthew Reed onto the stage to discuss Trump's executive order and other news.
- Discussion Highlights:
- Department of Education Shutdown: Reed emphasizes cost-saving measures, albeit humorously misquoting financial figures.
- Trump’s Missteps: Fallon jokes about Trump's confusion between "pizza" and "cake," poking fun at Reed's attempt to eat a phone, asserting it's not cake.
Musical Guests: Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco join Fallon to promote their new album, "I Said I Love You First," set to release at midnight.
Key Highlights:
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Album Promotion and Game: True Confessions (15:36 - 22:08)
- True Confessions Game: Guests share confessions—one true and one false—and the others guess which is which.
- Selena's Confessions:
- "My dog ran away on set and Paul Rudd found it for me."
- "I almost ruined Millie Bobby Brown's wedding," which is revealed as a lie.
- Jimmy's Confession: Claims involvement in a Burger King commercial at age 10, which adds a humorous touch as Matt doubts its authenticity.
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Engagement Story (24:33 - 31:13)
- Fallon shares his recent engagement to Selena, recounting the humorous and heartfelt proposal involving Whataburger components.
- Selena expresses: "It was very thoughtful and it made my night. It was one of my favorite moments."
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Album Details and Collaboration (28:52 - 32:12)
- Selena: Describes the album as an exploration of their past, present, and future, emphasizing fun and cathartic songwriting.
- Benny: Highlights the diverse sounds and collaborative spirit behind the album, praising tracks like "Call Me When You Break Up" and "Scared of Love."
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Pickle Juice Snow Cone Taste Test (30:19 - 32:12)
- Fallon tastes Selena's favorite snow cone flavor—pickle juice and ice—adding a quirky and entertaining segment to the interview.
Guest Segment: Elizabeth Olsen (After the Break)
Elizabeth Olsen joins the show to discuss her new movie, "The Assessment," set to release the following day.
Discussion Highlights:
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Travel and Filming in London (33:09 - 34:35)
- Elizabeth shares: Her experiences living and shooting in London, exploring Venice in winter, and balancing her schedule with personal life.
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Baseball Season and Personal Interests (34:35 - 37:14)
- Olsen delves into her passion for baseball, specifically supporting the Dodgers, and shares amusing anecdotes about attending games and expressing team loyalty.
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Discussion on 'The Assessment' Film (37:32 - 40:19)
- Elizabeth describes: The film's plot centered around population control and assessments for couples wanting children.
- Collaboration Highlights: Praise for director Fleur Fortinet and co-star Alicia Vikander.
- Film Themes: Absurdity, heart, and independent filmmaking challenges.
Closing Remarks
Jimmy Fallon wraps up the show by thanking all guests—Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, and Elizabeth Olsen—for their appearances and contributions. He promotes the new album's release and Elizabeth Olsen's upcoming movie, encouraging viewers to check them out.
Final Notes:
- Fallon: Reminds listeners to subscribe to the podcast for the latest episodes and to watch the show on NBC or stream on Peacock.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Tesla Recall:
- Jimmy Fallon (00:15): "As if Tesla isn't having enough problems, they just recalled nearly all Cybertrucks because the roof panels can detach while driving. It’s dangerous."
-
Department of Education Shutdown:
- Jimmy Fallon (00:24): "President Trump signed an executive order to shut down the Department of Education. It's a historic move..."
- Matthew Reed (00:24): "We don’t need the Board of Education. It’s not rocket science... I mean, rock science."
-
True Confessions Game:
- Selena Gomez (15:51): "My dog ran away on set and Paul Rudd found it for me."
- Matthew Reed (17:28): "I almost ruined Millie Bobby Brown's wedding."
-
Engagement Story:
- Jimmy Fallon (26:06): "The real thing we did is so she's sitting on the phone, she's talking to her grandma, and I walk in with a bag of Whataburger."
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Film Discussion:
- Elizabeth Olsen (40:21): "It’s a special small one. So it’s nice to get to have your audience."
Conclusion
This episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon masterfully blends humor with current events, engaging interviews, and entertaining games. From light-hearted discussions about Tesla's recalls and political maneuvers to heartfelt moments celebrating engagement and creative collaborations in music and film, Fallon ensures a dynamic and enjoyable viewing experience for his audience.
