The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Episode: Trump, Biden, Obama and Bush’s Viral Reunion | Featuring Willie Geist and Pete Lee Release Date: January 10, 2025

Opening Monologue and News Highlights

[00:05] Jimmy Fallon kicked off the episode with his signature humor, delivering a mix of current events and light-hearted jokes. He highlighted a significant Supreme Court case poised to decide whether the federal government can ban TikTok, humorously predicting it would mark the first time a Justice would utter the phrase "skibidi toilet." Fallon quipped, "It's expected to be the first time a Supreme Court justice says the word skibidi toilet." (00:45).

Transitioning to national news, Fallon discussed the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, noting the unprecedented attendance of all five living U.S. Presidents: Biden, Obama, Bush, and Clinton in the front row, with Trump humorously situated in the back holding an iPad and a bag of Cheerios. He remarked, "Biden, Obama, Bush and Clinton were in the front row while Trump sat in the back with an iPad and a bag of Cheerios." (02:15).

Fallon shared viral moments from the funeral, including the unexpected camaraderie between Obama and Trump, showcasing a rare instance of bipartisan respect. He humorously narrated, "In these divided times, even Obama and Trump put aside their differences and had a friendly interaction." (02:50). Additionally, he touched on lighter moments, such as the sight of an Uber Eats delivery for Trump's McDonald's order, eliciting laughter from the audience (03:30).

In business news, Fallon mentioned J.C. Penney's merger with Forever 21 and teased the creation of a "Baby Gap" within nine months (04:10). He seamlessly transitioned into a brief promotional segment for Tonight Show sponsors, including IHOP, Uber Eats, and Hampton Inn, using his trademark comedic flair (04:42).

Tech Innovations and Quirky News

Discussing technological advancements from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Fallon highlighted PlayStation’s debut of a technology that allows gamers to smell in-game environments. He contrasted this with Nintendo’s decision to forgo the feature, humorously critiquing the scent of their characters, saying, "Nintendo tried the same thing, but they didn't think people wanted to smell two plumbers who work in the sewer." (04:43).

Fallon also touched on other tech innovations, such as a company unveiling an advanced robot bartender. He joked, "Or you could do what I do and just leave trailer crumbs and make your Roomba bring you a beer." (05:00). Additionally, he shared an amusing tidbit about a book being returned to the New York Public Library after 72 years, with the librarian’s exclamation, "Holy sh. We have a great show." (05:21).

Guest Segment: Willie Geist

Fallon welcomed Willie Geist, an Emmy-nominated news anchor and host of Sunday Today with Willie Geist, to discuss recent events and his experiences.

[08:32] Jimmy Fallon opened the conversation by expressing concern over the devastating fires in Los Angeles, prompting Willie to elaborate on the sheer scale and human impact of the disaster. Willie reflected on the chaotic nature of the fires, stating, "It feels like something out of one of those apocalypse movies. Every one of those pictures is a human story." (09:15). He praised the firefighters’ efforts, acknowledging the unprecedented challenges they faced, "The head of the Cal Fire... said, we've never seen anything like this. We're doing everything we can, but it's just not enough." (09:46).

Fallon then shifted the discussion to Jimmy Carter’s funeral, where Willie expressed admiration for the dignified and respectful atmosphere, highlighting the rare display of unity among former presidents. He remarked, "This is a rare moment today in that church... where there was reverence and respect." (10:11). Willie commended Carter’s legacy, emphasizing his contributions post-presidency, "He had a great post-presidency, his work with Habitat for Humanity and human rights. A man who was well remembered today." (11:30).

During the conversation, Willie shared his recent holiday activities, including a visit to Universal Theme Park, and joked about launching his own ride alongside Jimmy’s. The camaraderie between Fallon and Willie was palpable, with playful exchanges about their respective rides and humorous anecdotes about aging and roller coasters (12:02 to 14:10).

Notable Quote:

"Jimmy, how are you, man? Good to see you." (08:34) – Willie Geist

Guest Segment: Pete Lee

The show welcomed comedian Pete Lee, who bravely shared his personal tragedy of losing his home to a fire just the night before appearing on the show.

[21:40] Pete Lee began by addressing the audience with both humor and vulnerability, stating, "I'm a comedian, but my house burned down yesterday. That was the most studio audience response I've ever heard." (21:52). He candidly discussed his emotional journey, explaining how performing helped him cope with the loss. Pete revealed his spontaneous appearance on The Tonight Show after manifesting his wish to be a guest, sharing the serendipitous call from Jimmy Fallon, "You just have a standing ovation... and then I got a call that I have a Tonight show showcase." (27:18).

Pete recounted his experience performing on Curb Your Enthusiasm, working alongside Larry David without prior rehearsal, and praised Larry’s supportive nature. He humorously described interacting with Fallon, saying, "I love your impulse control." (16:47).

Despite the personal hardship, Pete maintained his comedic spirit, delivering jokes about his situation, such as, "I lost my home. My house looked like the logo for a guy. Fieri Restaurant. That's my house. Flavortown." (24:35). He emphasized the therapeutic role of comedy in his healing process, stating, "This feels therapeutic. It also gave me something to focus on." (22:19).

Notable Quote:

"Last night, there was a girl that, you know, she was flirting with me, and I'm single. And she was like, my place or yours? And I was like, yours." (26:50) – Pete Lee

Pete concluded his segment by sharing humorous takes on everyday experiences, including absurd encounters with Uber drivers, demonstrating his resilience and ability to find humor amidst tragedy (31:34 to 37:23).

Closing Remarks and Highlights

As the episode drew to a close, Fallon expressed heartfelt appreciation for his guests. He highlighted Willie Geist’s upcoming Ready to Connect tour at the Washington D.C. Improv and commended Pete Lee’s courageous performance, encouraging the audience to support his tour (31:34).

[37:15] Jimmy Fallon wrapped up the show by thanking Willie and Pete for their contributions, celebrating their strength and humor. He also gave a nod to the show's musical guests, The Roots, before signing off with his usual farewell, "Thank you very much. Sounds like, CPD is ready to connect to her. We'll be right back, everybody." (39:08).

Final Notable Quote:

"You make our show, comedians, make our show. Thank you so much. You're one of my favorites." (30:26) – Jimmy Fallon to Pete Lee

Conclusion

This episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon masterfully blended current events, heartfelt moments, and humor. From discussing the unity among former presidents at Jimmy Carter's funeral to sharing personal stories of resilience from guests Willie Geist and Pete Lee, Fallon created an engaging and emotionally resonant experience for the audience. Notable quotes and interactions underscored the themes of respect, perseverance, and the healing power of laughter, making it a memorable installment for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.