The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – Detailed Summary

Episode: Top Tech Moguls to Attend Trump's Inauguration | Jeff Daniels, Gabriel Basso | Tuesday, January 14
Release Date: January 15, 2025
Host: Jimmy Fallon
Guests: Jeff Daniels, Gabriel Basso
Featured Guests: Lucas Moore (Walmart’s Graphic Designer), The Roots

1. Opening Monologue

Jimmy Fallon kicked off the episode with his signature humor, addressing current political and technological news.

• Biden’s Farewell Address:

  • Fallon joked about President Biden's impending farewell speech, saying, “Biden will say goodbye to the nation while the nation will say, oh, wow, you're still here. Yep.” (00:12)
  • Quote: “President Biden is definitely doing two out of three things in a typical farewell address.” (00:45)

• Trump’s Inauguration and Tech Moguls:

  • Discussed the attendance of top tech moguls Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
  • Quote: “The three richest men in the world all in one place. Man, if you thought Bernie Sanders looked miserable at the last inauguration, the 1%, the one over there.” (01:15)

• FDA’s Nutrition Labeling Proposal:

  • Fallon humorously highlighted the FDA’s move to put nutrition information on the front of food packages.
  • Quote: “Our snacks are about to be like mullets. Business in the front and party in the back.” (02:00)

• TikTok Ban and Alternative Apps:

  • Addressed the TikTok ban and the shift of users to other Chinese apps like RedNote and Lemon8.
  • Quote: “Americans would literally rather learn Mandarin than use Instagram reels. I ain't using that.” (02:45)

2. Segment: Walmart’s Logo Redesign

Fallon introduced Lucas Moore, Walmart’s graphic designer, via satellite to discuss the company’s first logo change in 20 years.

• Discussion Points:
  • Creative Process: Fallon complimented the new logo, prompting Lucas to explain the bold design choices.
    • Quote: “For sure, Jimmy.” (04:39)
    • Fallon’s Commentary: “So, Lucas, take us through the creative process you used when designing this new logo.” (04:42)

3. The Roots Performance

The Roots delivered a high-energy performance, engaging the audience with their signature sound.

• Audience Interaction:
  • Fallon emphasized the performance’s quality, stating, “Rocking it slow...” and later expressing appreciation for their talent. (05:30)

4. Guest Interview: Jeff Daniels

Emmy-winning actor Jeff Daniels joined Fallon to discuss his new audio memoir, Alive and Well Enough Continues, and his experiences in the entertainment industry.

• Memoir Insights:

  • Quote: “It's a one man audio adventure. It’s gotta be funny. It’s gotta be.” (19:10)
  • Daniels elaborated on his decision to create a solo podcast-style memoir, emphasizing storytelling and humor.

• Dumb and Dumber Anecdote:

  • Daniels recounted filming the iconic toilet scene in Dumb and Dumber, highlighting lessons learned from co-star Jim Carrey.
    • Quote: “I was like, well, this is either the beginning of my career or the end of it, you know?” (20:00)
    • Discussed how Carrey encouraged him to "go all the way," resulting in a memorable performance that fans adore.

• Breaking the Curse of Bobby Lane:

  • Shared a humorous story about a comedy bit aimed at breaking the Detroit Lions' long-standing curse.
    • Quote: “Everywhere I go, they go, you broke the curse.” (24:56)
    • Celebrated the team's unexpected success, attributing it to their comedic intervention.

5. Guest Interview: Gabriel Basso

Actor Gabriel Basso discussed his role in the hit Netflix series The Night Agent and shared personal anecdotes from his career and hobbies.

• The Night Agent Season 2:

  • Basso expressed excitement about the upcoming season, noting improvements and stronger narrative momentum.
    • Quote: “It's better, I do, actually. And I know a lot of people would probably say that, but I really believe that we found our footing as a show.” (32:13)

• Working with Clint Eastwood:

  • Recounted experiences filming with Clint Eastwood, including humorous interactions and memorable moments on set.
    • Quote: “I think he called me an idiot. And then they took the picture.” (26:57)

• Personal Hobbies:

  • Shared his passion for skydiving, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and audience immersion in his stunts.
    • Quote: “I feel like it's a lot. It's not the end of the world.” (30:00)
  • Discussed building stone walls and other private hobbies, showcasing his multifaceted personality.

6. Interactive Segments and Games

Fallon engaged with the audience through various interactive games, including a trivia segment titled "Any Answer Wins."

• Any Answer Wins Game:
  • Contestants Sophia from Fayetteville, NC, and Derek from Northumberland, PA, participated in a fun, no-pressure trivia game where any answer was accepted.
    • Quote: “The correct answer does not actually have to be correct because any answer wins.” (11:50)
    • Notable Moment: Contestant answered “Nothing” for Fallon’s breakfast question, which was accepted humorously as correct. (12:22)

7. Community and Charity Highlight

Fallon emphasized the importance of supporting those affected by wildfires in Los Angeles, promoting the Entertainment Industry Foundation's SoCal Fire Fund.

• Charity Message:
  • Quote: “Please do it. We're highlighting a different one every night and tonight is the Entertainment Industry Foundation's SoCal Fire Fund.” (07:30)
  • Encouraged donations to provide support for students, school employees, and families impacted by wildfires.

8. Closing Remarks

The episode concluded with Fallon thanking the guests and performers, reiterating information about upcoming content, and encouraging viewers to subscribe for more episodes.

• Final Remarks:
  • Quote: “Thanks for listening to The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest episodes weekday mornings wherever you get your podcast.” (32:54)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Biden’s Farewell Address:

  • “President Biden is definitely doing two out of three things in a typical farewell address.” (00:45)

• Tech Moguls at Inauguration:

  • “The three richest men in the world all in one place.” (01:15)

• FDA’s Nutrition Labels:

  • “Our snacks are about to be like mullets. Business in the front and party in the back.” (02:00)

• TikTok Ban:

  • “Americans would literally rather learn Mandarin than use Instagram reels. I ain't using that.” (02:45)

• Walmart Logo Redesign:

  • “It's bold. Thank you very much.” (04:48)

• Jeff Daniels on Memoir:

  • “It's a one-man audio adventure. It’s gotta be funny.” (19:10)

• Breaking the Curse:

  • “Everywhere I go, they go, you broke the curse.” (24:56)

• Gabriel Basso on The Night Agent:

  • “It's better, I do, actually.” (32:13)

Conclusion

This episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon offered a blend of topical humor, engaging interviews with notable guests Jeff Daniels and Gabriel Basso, interactive audience segments, and a heartfelt charity message. Fallon’s ability to intertwine current events with personal anecdotes from his guests provided a rich and entertaining experience for listeners.