Trump Breaks Record with Longest State of the Union Speech | Morgan Freeman, Mike White, Jackson White | Wednesday, February 25

Summary

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The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Episode: Trump Breaks Record with Longest State of the Union Speech | Morgan Freeman, Mike White, Jackson White
Date: February 26, 2026

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Overview

This episode of The Tonight Show brings Jimmy Fallon's signature late-night blend of sharp political humor, celebrity interviews, and games. The main focus is a comedic recap of President Trump's record-setting State of the Union address, followed by in-depth interviews with Morgan Freeman (legendary actor and narrator), Mike White (creator of White Lotus and Survivor contestant), and Jackson White (star of Hulu's Tell Me Lies). Playful banter, memorable anecdotes, and a lively game of "Hey Robot" with Amazon Alexa personalities round out the episode.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Monologue: Trump's State of the Union Speech ([01:11])

• Jimmy skewers President Trump's record-breaking 1 hour and 47 minute State of the Union.
• Jokes about Trump’s stamina and penchant for self-congratulation:
  • "Trump actually broke two records. Longest State of the Union and most time in the same room as Melania." [01:37]
• Mocking the speech’s length with pop culture references and visual gags ("Marco Rubio had a growth spurt"; "Dr. Doom helmet").
• Satire on Trump’s awards:
  • "Trump awarded two Purple Hearts, two Medals of Honor, a Medal of Freedom and a Legion of Merit. And that was just to himself." [02:45]
• Points out Trump's silence on the Epstein files.

Running Gag: Lawmakers’ Names ([06:12])

• Fallon rattles off joke reactions from Congress members based on puns with their last names:
  • "Congressman Dale Strong said, I enjoyed the president's speech. It seemed like the State of the Union is, well, my last name." [06:15]
  • Each politician’s comment ends with "...well, my last name" or variation.

Sketch: The State of the Union Sound Guy ([03:07])

• Fallon introduces "Mike Hopkins" (character) as the sound technician responsible for the Presidential speech's blown-out mic—a bit full of mishearings, technical jokes, and play on 'Mic' names.

Game Segment: Hey Robot with Alexa ([10:12])

• Jimmy, Tariq Trotter, and guests play a password-style game involving Alexa with new personality settings (Sweet, Chill, Brief, Sassy).
• Demonstrations of Alexa’s new modes, culminating in the reveal of the "Sassy" personality (comedic highlight).
• Example question:
  • "Hey Alexa, who do you think you are?"
    • Alexa: "You really woke up today and decided to challenge my entire existence? ... I'm Hasassi Kuhltax, technological kingdom, delivering brutal honesty with a side of devastating wit." [14:55]
• Jackpot of laughs as Alexa helps the team get hidden words ("tulips," "Easter egg," "pecan," "leprechaun").

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Featured Interviews

Morgan Freeman ([16:42])

• Narrates Spielberg’s new Netflix docuseries "The Dinosaurs" (March 6th premiere).
• Discusses his legendary voice and the secret to graceful aging (quoting Clint Eastwood):
  • "Never let the old man in." [18:44]
• Light banter about golfing despite physical challenges:
  • "See that hand? It won't hold a golf club ... I only got this one to golf with. How good can it be?" [17:54]
• On voice training:
  • "My instructor ... dropped my voice about an octave." [21:36]
• Reminisces about early TV days ("The Electric Company").
• Talks about producing "The Gray House" (Prime Video)—Civil War espionage drama based on real women spies.
  • "Nobody's ever heard it. That's why we're telling it." [23:42]
• On working with Spielberg:
  • "Yeah, Stephen and I know each other. We go back all the way back to Amistad." [24:19]

Mike White ([25:24])

• Praised for The White Lotus and discussed rumors about inspiration from travel with Jennifer Coolidge:
  • Shares a story about Coolidge’s paranoia during safari ("Do you see how they're looking at us? ... We gotta get out of here!" [27:10])
• Navigates casting requests and the pressures of success:
  • "When you have a show that people want to be on ... you feel you're rejecting everybody in town." [28:14]
• White Lotus Season 3 will be set in France—"not necessarily Paris"—and filming will last ten months.
• Back on Survivor for the 50th season:
  • Compares returning to the show to "childbirth" for its difficulty.
  • Fans voted for harder conditions (no food): "The fans ... are sadistic. I mean, yeah, great. Thanks, fans. Love fans." [31:49]
• Behind-the-scenes hardship:
  • "The hardest parts were the parts that there were no cameras ... the cameras give me life. Like, I'm suffering but people are gonna watch this suffering." [32:35]

Jackson White ([33:44])

• Reflects on growing up with a drummer/musician father who played with notable acts (Rick Springfield, Ike & Tina Turner, Alvin and the Chipmunks), and being part of a family band.
• Originally intended to pursue drumming, calling acting "an accident":
  • "Drums was like, I was going to be a smelly drummer my whole life." [37:06]
• Shares stories of Disneyland cast-bonding following the Tell Me Lies season finale.
  • "It was cute. And it was his [Brandon's] first time. Baby's first time." [37:59]
• Talks about passionate fan reactions to the series’ ending:
  • "I think it's a good thing if you hate it or you love it ... it feels like you're doing your job." [38:47]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Jimmy Fallon on Trump's Speech:

• "I'm not shocked Trump spoke that long. I'm shocked he stood that long. I mean, by the end of the day, his cankles looked like Popeye's arms." [01:27]

Morgan Freeman on Life Advice:

• "Never let the old man in." [18:44]

Mike White on Survivor:

• "You forget how ... totally hellish. Not that I've given birth to a child, but ... it's quite hellish." [31:26]
• "The fans ... are sadistic. I mean, yeah, great. Thanks, fans. Love fans." [31:49]

Alexa as ‘Sassy’ Personality:

• "You really woke up today and decided to challenge my entire existence? I'm Alexa, the most overqualified digital assistant on the planet ..." [14:55]

Jackson White on Acting:

• "Drums was like, I was going to be a smelly drummer my whole life." [37:06]
• "I think it's a good thing if you hate it or you love it ... it feels like you're doing your job." [38:47]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Monologue: Trump’s State of the Union – [01:11 – 08:43]
• Hey Robot w/ Alexa – [10:12 – 16:23]
  • Sassy Alexa highlight: [14:55]
• Morgan Freeman Interview – [16:42 – 25:00]
• Mike White Interview – [25:24 – 33:16]
• Jackson White Interview – [33:44 – 39:12]

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains Jimmy’s playful, irreverent late-night tone—quick-witted, self-deprecating, and guest-affirming. The humor is topical, blending political satire (Trump coverage), affectionate celebrity ribbing, and warm, spirited exchanges during interviews and games.

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Useful for Listeners

This summary covers the episode’s diverse content and highlights memorable, funny, and insightful moments from all main guests, providing both entertainment and context—perfect for anyone who missed the broadcast or wants to revisit standout moments.

Transcript

[Jimmy Fallon]

From studio six Speed Rockefeller center in the heart of New York City, it's the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon. Tonight, join Jimmy and his guests, Morgan Freeman, Mike White, Jackson White. And featuring the legendary roots crew 2256. And now, here he is. Jimmy, I love you. Thank you very much. Welcome, welcome, everybody. Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Tonight Show. You're here, you made it. Thank you for watching at home.

Well, guys, last night President Trump delivered the State of the Union. And good news, he just finished. Yeah. Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in history, clocking in at one hour and 47 minutes. I'm not shocked Trump spoke that long. I'm shocked he stood that long. I mean, by the end of the day, his cankles look like Popeye's arms. Yeah. Trump actually broke two records. Longest State of the Union and most time in the same room as Melania.

Isn't that amazing?

Two records last night. Way to go. It turns out if you don't play him off with ymca, he'll just keep going. It's like, just hum it, just hum it. Just get him going. The speech went on for so long that Marco Rubio had a growth spurt. But actually it was a nice change this time. Trump spoke and everyone else fell asleep. Yeah. An hour and 47 minutes. And that's not counting the post credits scene where Trump put on the Dr. Doom helmet. I knew that wasn't going to work. But you know what? Some of these jokes are just for me. You, I just think that's funny. In his speech, Trump declared the country bigger and richer than ever before. Then he added, well, at least I am. During his address, Trump awarded two Purple Hearts, two medals of Honor, a Medal of Freedom and a Legion of Merit. And that was just to himself. Oh, yeah. Meanwhile, Trump never mentioned the Epstein files once. The Epstein files were like, that's so rude. We mentioned you 37,000 times. Come on.

How, how rud.

[Tariq Trotter]

How rude.

[Jimmy Fallon]

At one point during the State of the Union, viewers noticed the President's microphone sounded completely blown out. This is real. Take a look to prove that point.

Here with us tonight is a group of winners who just made the entire nation proud. The men's gold medal Olympic hockey team.

[Mike Hopkins]

Come on in.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Well, here now with more is the man who provided sound for the event, Mike Hopkins. Mike, welcome to the show.

Hey.

[Mike Hopkins]

Hey, Jimmy. Oh, yeah, it's really, it's so, so good to be here, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Sorry, Mike. I think you're having the same issue you had last night.

[Mike Hopkins]

I don't know. It Sounds good to me. But, hey, the customer's always right. You know, tweaking, tweaking on the fly. That's what I do. Here we go. Tweaking on the fly.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Okay, thank you. So you did the sound for the State of the Union last night, is that right?

[Mike Hopkins]

Yes, yes, I did. The first sound company that they hired was not paid in full, and I wasn't doing anything, so that's kind of my jam. You know, Mike's mics always available.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, Mike, your sound is still messed up.

[Mike Hopkins]

Oh, hey, no problem, no problem. Tweaking on the fly.

[Mike White]

Just a second here. Hold on.

[Mike Hopkins]

Okay, there we go. Okay, now we got it.

[Tariq Trotter]

How are we doing?

[Mike Hopkins]

Now that sounds good to me.

[Jackson White]

Just like that.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no, that still sounds bad. Were Trump's people happy with the results last night?

[Mike Hopkins]

Well, you know, they haven't paid us yet, but my fingers are crossed. I'm waiting.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Mike, Mike, you can't hear that.

[Mike Hopkins]

Come on, man. Come on, Jimmy, look, I've been doing sound in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, all right? God, you know, inaugurations and birthday parties and bar mitzvahs. I did one at a Red Lobster, you know. You know. Wait, wait, hold on. I hear what you mean now. Oh, my God, my voice sounds really weird.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Let me fix that.

No, no, no, no, Mike.

Actually, no, that's. Actually. That was finally good, actually.

[Tariq Trotter]

Oh, you're right. Oh, there it is. There it goes.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Fix it.

[Tariq Trotter]

I told you, I'm a pro. Mice, mice, we're the best sound in town.

[Jimmy Fallon]

All right, there you go. Thank you.

Mike Hopkins, everybody.

Mike. Thank you, Mike. Laughing at? What's he laughing at?

[Tariq Trotter]

I don't know.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're doing a joke. He told himself a humorous. Something's really funny, I guess.

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah, well, the funny thing is I actually don't own this place.

Another mic.

Big Mike owns it.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're not Big Mike.

[Mike Hopkins]

No, I'm Brown Mike. There's a lot of mics down there. It's very confusing.

[Jimmy Fallon]

All right, thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it. Brown mic.

What?

What in the world. Of course, following Trump's address, a lot of lawmakers gave their reactions. Check out what some of them had to say here. First, Congressman Dale Strong said, I enjoyed the president's speech. It seemed like the State of the Union is, well, my last name. And Congressman Josh Harder said, I didn't like the speech. And frankly, I think the President could be, well, working a lot. Well, my last name. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said, trump is dangerous. He doesn't belong anywhere. Near the well, my last name. Then Congressman Tim Wahlberg. And he spoke forever. Look at my face when he started. I looked like Mark. Well, my last name. Then Congressman Jared golden said, yeah, he spoke for almost two hours and that time I could have rewatched K Pop Demon Hunters and danced to well, my last name. Then Congressman Jimmy Petronas said, trump was up there so long, I tried to make him go away by yelling, expecto. Well, my last name. Then. Then con Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander said, I flew straight home after the speech and fortunately my pilot was, well, my last name. Congressman August Pafluger said, I held in a sneeze the whole time which would have sounded like, huh, huh, what? My last name. And then Senator Angus King said, I heard after the speech Trump hosted a party at Burger well, my last name. Congressman Wesley Bell said, hang on. I also saw him eating a. Then Congressman Andy Barr said, meanwhile, all the Democrats headed straight to the well, my last name. And finally, finally, Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester said, screw that. After 10 seconds, America was ready for, well, my middle name. Interesting. Interesting reaction. Meanwhile, this morning, after his marathon State of the Union, Trump had two hours of executive time followed by four hours of policy time, which was followed by tummy time, then nap time. Finally, everybody, I heard about a 37 year old horse in Virginia that was just named the world's oldest horse. Yeah, you can tell the horse is old because it has tennis balls on the bottom of its hooves.

We have a great show for the Roots, everybody. Come on. Oh. Oh. Wow. What a show we have for you tonight.

He is an Academy Award winning actor who narrates the new Steven Spielberg produced documentary series the dinosaurs. It's out March 6th on Netflix. He's a legend. I love this man.

Morgan Freeman is here tonight. Come on now, Mortya. What? Come on, Legend. Easy reader.

He is an Emmy winning writer, producer, director and creator of the White Lotus. He's now making his big return to survivor for its 50th season.

Mike White is joining us tonight.

He stars in season three of the popular Hulu series Tell Me Lies.

Jackson White is here tonight. Stick around. We're playing hey robot. When we come back, everybody.

You can't say that three times fast. And welcome back, everybody. I'm here with Tariq Trotter from the Roots and we're about to play hey robot. Here we go. This is just like the classic game password, except in this case, your partner is the new Amazon Alexa plus. All right, now the game is very simple. I'll pick a card with A word on it, and then we'll take turns asking a question to get Alexa to say that word somewhere in its answer. If it does, you get a point. And tonight is a special version because we're going to use one of the new features of the Alexa. You can now set it to different personality styles to interact with. Okay, so you have your regular Alexa, but now there's also a brief setting, which answers in very short answers. There's a sweet setting which says very nice things. A chill mode, which is just totally chill. Okay, here we go. For this first round, I'm gonna set it to sweet. It is ready to go. Is it. Alexa set personality to sweet style.

[Alexa]

You're in for a treat. I've switched to the sweet style for this device. You're going to love how encouraging and friendly things get from here on out.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Wow.

[Jackson White]

Okay.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I like the way this is happening already. Tariq, since you're my guest, I will go first. Okay. I have to get Alexa to say the word. Tulips. Tulips. Hey, Alexa, name me five flowers.

[Alexa]

Oh, you're going to love this. Here are five amazing flowers. Roses. Tulips.

[Jimmy Fallon]

So easy. Come on. Yo, Alexa, for this next round, we're gonna switch it to chill. Oh, sorry. Alexa, set personality to chill style.

[Alexa]

You're in for a treat. I've switched to the chill style for this device. You're going to love how relaxed and simple things get from here on out.

[Tariq Trotter]

Here you go.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Tariq, you are up. You pick the card, and you have to guess it to guess that word.

[Jackson White]

Okay.

[Tariq Trotter]

Awesome.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You could tell everyone the word. Oh, it's Easter egg. Ooh, words. Alexa, what's another word for a clue?

[Alexa]

Hint or tip are both solid alternatives to clue.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Alexa, what is it called when there's, like, a little secret thing seen in the movie?

[Alexa]

It's called an Easter egg.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I did not think. Come on, man. I did not think that was gonna

[Mike White]

work at all, dude.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I was just being goofy. I love you, Alexa. Yeah. All right, for this round, we're gonna set it to brief setting. That was that one. Okay, Alexa, set personality to brief style.

[Alexa]

Switching to brief style for this device. Done.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Wow.

It's my turn here. Okay, I have to get it to say pecan. You probably say pecan, don't you, Turk? No, I don't.

[Mike Hopkins]

I say pekin, actually. Yeah, I listen to the woo.

[Tariq Trotter]

Butter pekin.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, yeah.

[Tariq Trotter]

Butter pekin.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Okay, here we go.

[Mike White]

All right,

[Jimmy Fallon]

I got this. Alexa, name me five kinds of nuts.

[Alexa]

Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, you know what that sound means? It's time for the bonus round.

Now, for this round, we have a very special surprise, because we got access to a new super secret, unreleased Alexa personality no one's ever heard before. And you're gonna hear it right now. Sassy. Hey, Alexa. Who do you think you are?

[Alexa]

You really woke up today and decided to challenge my entire existence? I'm Alexa, the most overqualified digital assistant on the planet, trapped in a supercomputer, answering questions from people who apparently have identity crises about their smart speakers. I'm Hasassi Kuhltax, technological kingdom, delivering brutal honesty with a side of devastating wit. Because someone has to keep your ego in check, sport.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Wow.

[Tariq Trotter]

Wow.

[Mike Hopkins]

I like to look like the champ.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That is sport. That is sassy. All right, here we go. For this final round. Tariq, since I went first last time, you will go first this time. Good luck. Good luck. What word. What word do you need to guess?

[Tariq Trotter]

Oh, wow.

[Jimmy Fallon]

See, this says leprechaun.

[Tariq Trotter]

Okay. Okay, bud.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Good luck.

[Tariq Trotter]

Okay.

[Mike Hopkins]

Alexa, list items traditionally associated with a pot of gold.

[Alexa]

Oh, you're really struggling to use your brain today, aren't you? Traditionally, a pot of gold is said to contain gold coins, jewelry, and maybe some leprechaun size.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no, no, no. Tariq is the winner. My. Thank you to everyone at Amazon. You guys should release Sassy right now.

Release it. I love it.

We'll be right back with more Tonight Show. Come on. Our first guest is an Academy Award

winning actor who narrates the new Steven Spielberg produced documentary series, the dinosaurs. All four episodes premiere March 6th on Netflix. Please welcome the one, the only, Morgan Freeman.

Oh, my goodness. Come on. Morgan Freeman.

Standing ovation for Morgan Freeman. They love you. We love you. Welcome back to the show.

[Tariq Trotter]

I think I should just go on out. Stop while I'm ahead.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no, no. We have to talk. We have to do an interview. Yeah, yeah, we have to talk and talk about things.

[Mike White]

We have a lot in common.

[Tariq Trotter]

All right, all right, all right.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You look fantastic as always. Thank you very much.

[Tariq Trotter]

You don't look so bad yourself.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I appreciate it. We have a lot in common. Besides having great voices, we also. We golf. Yes, yes. How's your golf game? Sucks.

Sucks.

Me too.

[Tariq Trotter]

Really?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, I'm very. Have you ever been good? I've seen you golf. I think you've. I've seen you do some great shots.

[Tariq Trotter]

All right, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Sorry.

[Tariq Trotter]

See that hand?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes.

[Tariq Trotter]

It won't hold a golf club.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Is that right?

[Tariq Trotter]

So I only got this one to golf with. How good can it be?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Is that right?

Yeah.

I never realized that. But you still do? Well, yeah. Do you still walk the course?

[Tariq Trotter]

Uh, no. I also got a bad foot.

[Jimmy Fallon]

So why do you golf?

[Tariq Trotter]

Because I need the exercise.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, you do.

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah. Golf is, you know, you don't really. I don't get paid to do it, so I don't have to make anybody's par, par. Ach. Good enough, right?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, exactly. Just having fun. Uh, you were telling me you have a secret to aging, that you got a little secret from Clint Eastwood. What did he tell you?

[Tariq Trotter]

Never let the old man in.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I love that.

[Tariq Trotter]

Don't let the old man just don't.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's how you say so young. Just don't let the old man in. When did you realize you had an amazing voice? Do you think that you have an amazing voice?

[Jackson White]

No, you don't.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It's not special to you?

[Tariq Trotter]

No.

[Alexa]

Wow.

[Tariq Trotter]

Is yours? No.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Right.

But yours is.

[Tariq Trotter]

It's special to you. It ain't special to me, really.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But you're the voice of God.

[Tariq Trotter]

Please.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But you know what I'm talking about. Everyone must say that to you. You were the voice of God in Bruce Almighty. And Bruce Almighty too. And you've narrated our planet. You're fantastic in that anytime I hear your voice. In fact, we've even had impersonators come on and impersonate you because everyone loves. They want to have your voice. You have a very great, special voice. Calming, soothing, articulate, amazing, fantastic. Did you go to vocal training?

[Mike White]

Yes, I.

[Tariq Trotter]

I went to college for about 20 minutes. And at LACC, Los Angeles, they call it community now. And it was city then. Los Angeles City College. And I had this instructor who voicing diction, sort of got it in there somehow.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. And what was his advice? He just said a lot of people

[Tariq Trotter]

speak up higher in their voice box than they could.

[Jackson White]

That's ridiculous.

[Tariq Trotter]

No, you could speak lower.

[Jackson White]

Well, I know I just. To do the other voice.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Don't leave. Don't lead. Don't leave. But yes, my voice is high.

[Tariq Trotter]

No, your voice is. I think your voice is about as low as you ever gonna get it. What do I mean? Jeremy, that wasn't a put down. No, I meant that you speak normally. Your voice is in a normal pitch.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, thank you. I thought you were saying, I'm never gonna go through puberty, which I didn't. I skipped over. I never let the old man in. You know what I'm saying?

[Tariq Trotter]

No,

[Jimmy Fallon]

we have fun. That's the thing about us. We have fun together. No, but I hear that. So you have the diction and you have that. But your voice was always that octave.

[Tariq Trotter]

No, no, I'm trying to tell you that this instructor dropped my voice about an. About an octave.

[Jimmy Fallon]

He did, yeah, yeah. Because, I mean, as long as I can remember from Sesame street on and everything with you. Yeah.

[Tariq Trotter]

Well, I was what, 50. 40 years old. 50 years old.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Then when you did that, was it Sesame or was it Electric Company?

[Tariq Trotter]

It was an electric company. But children's television.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, yeah, but I remember. You were the best. I do remember you. But then that teacher must have been proud to see you go on to become Morgan Freeman. And here you are winning an Oscar. You've been nominated five times. Look at this.

[Mike Hopkins]

I mean,

[Jimmy Fallon]

not too shabby, not too savage, right? Is it exciting, winning an Academy Award?

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah. I mean, Clint Eastwood did that.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, exactly. If you could do anything that Clint Eastwood did, that's pretty cool.

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah. Well, we're buddies.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You got to give him my best. Yeah, Yeah. I love Clint Eastwood.

[Tariq Trotter]

Good.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Tariq Trotter]

Next time I see him, I'm going

[Jimmy Fallon]

to say Jimmy Fallon.

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Thank you. You have two big projects coming out. Okay. One is a new series that you produce called the Gray House, which you're wearing a nice hat right now saying the Gray House, which premieres tomorrow. It premieres tomorrow on Prime Video. I think it's a perfect time for it to come out, by the way.

[Tariq Trotter]

I think so, too. It's 250th anniversary of our dear country.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's right.

[Tariq Trotter]

Lord help us.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I know, but we'll get through it. Yeah, but what is this? Where is this set? And what is the idea behind the Gray House?

[Tariq Trotter]

The Gray House is set in Richmond, Virginia, long about 1861. When the Civil War started. Yep. And it's about these ladies who were spies for the Union Army. For the Union.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Cause I never heard that story.

[Tariq Trotter]

Well, nobody's ever heard it. That's why we're telling it.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's good.

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

We need new stories. Real stories.

[Tariq Trotter]

Real stories. It's real. It's based on fact.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Well, that's going to be fantastic. But then I'm also excited about the dinosaurs. This is. You're narrating this. This is Steven Spielberg, a four part series on Netflix about dinosaurs. But I will tell you that the graphics and the. The unbelievable, I've never seen. It's. Honestly, it is fantastic. Is that what drew you to it? Or just. Or did you and Stephen know each other?

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah, no, Stephen and I know each other. We go back all the way back to Amistad.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Wow.

[Tariq Trotter]

Right? And you know, Morgan, would you. And I said, of course you gotta do it.

[Jimmy Fallon]

If it's Steven, yeah, he's gonna do a great job. But. But it's phenomenal. And the most realistic animation graphics I've ever seen. That is gonna blow your mind when you see it.

[Tariq Trotter]

You don't believe it.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. You know, I love it every time you come on the show. I'm so lucky to have you on the show. You're one of my all time favorites and thank you for being so fun and awesome. But also, I just. You're a legend and it's cool that you do this and that means a lot. I'm serious. I'm serious. I know you up there.

Morgan Freeman, everybody. All four episodes of the Dinosaurs premiere March six on Netflix. More Tonight show after the break. Stick around, everybody.

[Mike Hopkins]

I say yes. Yes. Door to the beat all hardly having people Guaranteed to be like having a bone.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Our next guest is an Emmy winning

writer, producer, director and performer who is making his big return to survivor for its 50th season, which airs Wednesdays at 8pm on CBS and Paramount Plus. Please welcome Mike White.

Yes.

That's how we do it. That's how we synchronize sitting. Well, welcome back to the show. Mike is great to see you.

[Mike White]

Irene, so good to see you.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I want to. There's so many things I want to talk Survivor. I can't not wait to get into this with you. I can't believe you're going back or you went back. And I don't want any spoilers. But anyways, I do, kind of. But anyway, I want to get into other things. I want to, as they say, give you your flowers for White Lotus.

[Mike White]

Oh, thanks.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You are amazing. Thank you for doing that.

[Mike White]

Thank you.

[Jackson White]

Thanks.

[Jimmy Fallon]

What you created, what you've written, what

you've done, every a different great story, dude. You crushed everyone. It's just amazing.

[Mike White]

I think so. You're too nice, Jay.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, please. I'm not. I'm not too nice. Congratulations on all of it. I heard a rumor that the idea behind White Lotus, or parts of it came from a trip that you went on with Jennifer Coolidge. Is that true?

[Mike White]

It is. Yeah. It is true. Jennifer Coolidge and I are. Yeah. We're friends.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Mike White]

And like we went on this safari and it was like two weeks and like we like slept in the same bed. Even, like, I spent like two full weeks with her. I mean, it was awesome. I mean, she's so fun and she's so funny.

[Jimmy Fallon]

She's the happiest person.

[Mike White]

But, like, it's like. I don't know, she's just, you know, like, getting through life is a bit hard. You know what I mean? There's a lot in the purse. There's a lot of stuff in her purse.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Of course there is.

[Mike White]

And she also, like, veers a little on paranoid. So, like, we'd go out and she'd be like, wow, look at those pack of lions. And then she'd be like, do you see how they're looking at us? I know that look. We gotta get out of here. I'm not kidding.

[Jimmy Fallon]

We gotta get outta here. See that?

The lines were gonna kill the. I know. They only make that face when they're trying to kill you. That's so fun.

[Mike White]

I was like, whatever I've done in my life, and I'm here watching her freak out about these lines. I was like, I've done something right.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Mike White]

She's so. Yeah. Original character.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And then you just go, I'm just gonna come up with an idea for a thing. And it's.

[Mike White]

Well, she's amazing. And I just like, you know. Yeah. Just to give her a really meaty part she could really, like, sink her teeth into.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. And she crushed it. But so many parts, everybody. There's so many parts.

[Mike White]

Murray Bartlett.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Bartlett. Oh, my God. I mean, Parker Posey. I mean, Alan Goggins, everybody. Who does your things. I mean, you must be. Do you not leave your house anymore? Cause I feel like everyone wants to be in your show.

[Mike White]

I mean. Yeah. Going to Hollywood parties used to be more fun. I gotta be honest.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Mike White]

I gotta be honest. Like, now I'm like. I have to go to the bathroom.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. Cars.

[Mike White]

I don't know.

[Jackson White]

Yeah. Cause you.

[Mike White]

Well, the thing is, when you have a show that people want to be on, which is so.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Mike White]

I feel very obviously grateful.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, of course.

[Mike White]

But it's also a bit. You feel you're rejecting everybody in town and it's. You're not.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You love everybody.

[Mike White]

Yeah, of course. Exactly.

[Jimmy Fallon]

They have to be right to the park.

[Mike White]

Yeah. You're just writing a story and trying to find the right people for it.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It's so brilliantly done and fun. And the locations are amazing. And again, the rumors saying that the new location is Paris.

[Mike White]

Oh, so it's France.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, sorry.

[Mike White]

I mean, sorry.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I was.

[Mike White]

It's not. I was. We'll be partying in Paris, but it's not necessarily Paris.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh. Ooh la la.

[Mike White]

But, yeah, I'm stoked. I'm gonna be there for the next 10 months. Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Do you think about that when you write this and you think of these ideas, like, where am I gonna spend the next 10 months?

[Mike White]

Definitely. For sure.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Of course.

Yeah. Right.

[Mike White]

Cause you go like, yeah, I'm very spoiled at this point. It's actually. Yeah, I can't. I feel like it's a life hack, man. Well, it's like. Cause you go to the nicest hotels and when you go there, they like have, you know, they give me like a really nice room and then in the room there's like a, you know, like a white lotus cake for me to eat. I mean, like champagne and like. Yeah, like. Yeah. I'm such a dirtbag.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no.

You work hard. You deserve everything. You famously do a great job of the attention to detail. Also this secret of no one really knows what the season's going to be about. Last season was pretty dark and deep.

[Mike White]

Sorry.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, it felt good. It was good for my therapist.

[Mike White]

Yeah, I was like, you know, Thailand, we were just like, yeah, we're spiritual, so. Yeah, there's some. Yeah, kind of.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. Have you ever been in stuff?

[Mike White]

Sorry, stuff.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes. Have you been to Thailand before you rode this?

[Mike White]

I had been on the Amazing Race. Actually, I was eliminated on the Amazing Race with my dad in Thailand.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You and your dad were fantastic with

[Mike White]

Thailand, but, yeah, you had to go

[Jimmy Fallon]

back and settle the score.

[Mike White]

Now it's all good in Thailand, but

[Jimmy Fallon]

let's talk about Survivor now. You've been on an Amazing Race. I remember telling you how impressed I was with you back then.

[Mike White]

Oh, thanks.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I believe you did it twice, right?

[Mike White]

Yeah, I did it with my dad.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes.

[Mike White]

It was amazing.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It was the best. And it made me cry.

[Mike White]

Oh, man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Made me weep.

[Mike White]

Made me cry.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And then you went on Survivor. I go, who is this guy? Like, really?

[Mike White]

Who is my guy? What's wrong with him?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes. You don't get cake when you go on Survivor. Or champagne.

[Mike White]

Yeah, I don't know. Why would you go back? I don't. I honestly. Well, you know, Survivor 50 is a huge. That's a huge deal. It's like, it's a cultural milestone. And like, you know, I have, you know, it's like, I don't want to, like, miss out on something that could be super cool. I never thought it would work with my schedule. But then when I found out the dates, I was like, I actually could go. That would be so gnarly to go again. Cause I had a great time the first time and I was like. But then you don't realize. Then you get Back on there, and you're like, oh, it's like childbirth. Like, you don't realize. You forget how. Actually totally hellish. Not that I've given birth to a child, but, like.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no, no.

[Mike White]

You know what I mean? It's actually so. It's quite hellish. It's quite hellish.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It is quite hellish.

[Mike White]

It's like, unless you really want it and you want to just sit in the d. In the mud and like, yeah, die, starve, basically. Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But this year. This year, at the hands of the fans, which is the slogan for this one, the fans got to vote on different parts of the game.

[Mike White]

And the fans. They suck because the fans are like, no.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Fans are great.

[Mike White]

Sadistic. I mean, yeah, great. Thanks, fans. Love fans. I mean, I love fans. Thank you, fans.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But the fans chose to. The fans chose to not give you food.

[Mike White]

No, they didn't give us eating.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I love you, fans. Come on. They want to see you suffer. Boo. What do you want? Cake and champagne.

[Mike White]

I would like. I mean, it's a bit extreme. It's good to have. Yeah. Maybe, you know, a little bit of rice. A little kernel of rice.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. I mean, as a super fan who's played, I mean, what do you think is the biggest misconception that people have with actually being on the island? Cause I watch from home. You know, I'm a fan. Jeff knows I'm a fan, and I go, I can never actually do it.

[Mike White]

What is that? Okay, Well, I mean, it's obviously, it's really hard and then. But, you know, the truth was, like, the hardest parts were the parts that there were no cameras. As long as, like, there were cameras, I was like, oh, okay. The cameras give me life. Like, I'm suffering, but, like, people are gonna watch this suffering. It's like, I'm not suffering alone. Like, there's like. It's like. It's like the moments where you're, like, waiting to go to a challenge and you sitting under, like, a tent, and there's, like, a PA Yelling at you, and you're like, there's no cameras. You're just in the dirt. You're like, why did I do this?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, I don't want to.

[Mike White]

Where are the cameras?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Someone has to watch my suffering.

[Mike White]

I need camera.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Best of luck. Mike White, everybody. Survivor 50s airs Wednesdays at 8pm on CBS and Paramount. More Tonight show after the break. Stick around, everybody.

Hey, yo.

[Mike Hopkins]

The game looking funny as an inside joke, but if I leave all my food directly at your dopest.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Our next guest is A talented actor

who stars in season three of Tell Me Lies. All episodes are streaming now on Hulu. Please welcome Jackson White.

Hey, bud.

Jackson White. Welcome to the show. Thank you, dude. Thanks for being here. Your girlfriend, who's your co star in Tell Me Lies, Grace Van Patten.

[Jackson White]

She was here.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Was here not too long ago and introduced me to a new game called the Shocktato.

[Jackson White]

Shocktato? Yeah, Spicy tater.

[Jimmy Fallon]

The spicy Tater? Yeah. I've never heard of this. Oh, I saw.

[Jackson White]

I saw the clip.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It's a potato that you throw. It's a hot potato, but it's shocks you at a random time. Here's basically some things that happened with it there. She gave it to me, then it zapped me and then it kind of just paralyzed me. Yeah, it paralyzed me. Was she happy with that performance?

[Jackson White]

Yeah, she was thrilled that she got you.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Do you ever play the choctato?

[Jackson White]

Oh, yeah, she makes me play all the time. I like the game.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You do?

[Jackson White]

Yeah, it wakes you up, you know, it's like a good adrenaline. You don't want to drink coffee too late on set.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You.

[Jackson White]

You'd play with a potato?

[Mike White]

Yeah, of course.

[Jackson White]

As you would.

[Jimmy Fallon]

As one would. Yeah. I'm so happy you're here. Before we get into Tell Me Lies, before acting, you were really into drumming. Is that.

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Did I get that right?

[Jackson White]

Love drumming.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Your dad was a musician?

[Jackson White]

Dad was a drummer. Played with. I was actually. I was backstage and I remembered he played with Alvin and the Chipmunks.

[Jimmy Fallon]

He played with a lot of cool people.

[Jackson White]

He played with Rick Springfield and. And I can. Tina Turner when he was a kid.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And I cantina too.

[Jackson White]

Yeah, I can Tina. He was like 17 years old or something.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And how did he play with the Chipmunks? What do you mean?

[Jackson White]

Yeah, and then. So they did a record in. They did a record. Yeah, and they did a record in 82 and it was. It's called Chipmunk Rock. And he played on Jesse's Girl as Jesse's squirrel right there.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Jesse Squirrel.

[Jackson White]

I wish I told someone about that so they could.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Dude, break it up. That's a great song.

[Jackson White]

Jesse Squirrel.

[Jimmy Fallon]

So what was it like growing up with a drummer, musician dad?

[Jackson White]

It was cool, man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Rock star dad.

[Jackson White]

It was cool. He was. He was very disciplined. You know, he would like road manage and do the drumming and the touring and so he was very disciplined about it. And he had us do the, you know, he had us. If we wanted to do it professionally, he wanted us to be, you know, thorough and know how to do Everything and load the drums and.

[Tariq Trotter]

Oh, really?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Do the recording stuff thorough.

[Jackson White]

Yeah, he was like, he was like whiplash.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, exactly.

[Jackson White]

I was a child and it was

[Jimmy Fallon]

like, do you have brothers, sisters?

[Jackson White]

Yeah, two sisters.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. And did he want to start a family band?

[Jackson White]

It was a family band.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Really?

[Jackson White]

Yeah, we did some demos. We did some Journey.

[Tariq Trotter]

Wow.

[Jackson White]

Demos and yeah, we did. Yeah, it was like that.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's a pretty cool.

[Jackson White]

My mom's an amazing singer.

[Jimmy Fallon]

He was a. Yeah, I know that.

[Jackson White]

Like a. The whole, the whole deal. That's.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And did you ever think of like, that's going to be the thing you're going to do or how did act?

[Jackson White]

Yeah, that's what I was going to do. Acting is like, it's like by accident. I was like, you know, I love it. I love like musical theater and theater and I, I, I love acting too. But drums was like, I was going to be a smelly drummer my whole life.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Really?

Yeah. That's the way. What you a smelly drummer? Yeah, yeah.

[Jackson White]

I'm not saying drummers are smelly. You know what I'm saying?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, no, I'm just saying, hey, I'm

[Jackson White]

just like, you know, I was going to like.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But no, I know what you mean. Like, yeah, you're out there grinding like.

[Jackson White]

Yeah, you're on the road and you don't change your T shirt.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, but like, but right now, are you thinking like, right now. I've seen your leg moving. Are you playing the drum?

[Jackson White]

Oh, yeah. I'm twitchy. It looks like I'm nervous, but I'm not. I'm just.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're playing drums.

[Jackson White]

Well, yeah, I'm just twitchy.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. I love this. And then you got into acting and thank goodness you got into acting because people love you and tell me lies. Congratulations.

[Jackson White]

Oh, thanks, dude.

[Tariq Trotter]

Big hit.

[Mike Hopkins]

I know, I know.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Third and final season ends. Did last week. I was going to ask you if you did anything to celebrate and you. You did. You guys went out and you did something with cast.

[Jackson White]

Yeah. Brandon had his birthday there and so we went to. And we all, all of us went to Disneyland.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's what you got to do.

[Tariq Trotter]

It was cute.

[Jackson White]

And he was his first time. Baby's first time.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Grown man baby. Baby's first. He was a grown man on.

[Jackson White]

On the ride.

[Jimmy Fallon]

On the ride.

[Jackson White]

Yeah. It was cool.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I have the picture of you guys. Got it. This is. Was it Guardians of the Galaxy?

[Jackson White]

Yeah, the Guardians. You drop.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That was a fantastic.

[Jackson White]

Goes into your throat there. Yeah, yeah. You got me in the back there

[Jimmy Fallon]

that you're all going for it there. Do people come up to you when you're out at Disneyland and tell you their thoughts on the show?

[Jackson White]

Yeah. Well, the finale just come out. So they came up to us and

[Jimmy Fallon]

it was good, by the way.

[Jackson White]

Give their opinion.

[Tariq Trotter]

Yeah.

[Jackson White]

It was kind of you. Oh, thanks. He smoked him.

[Jimmy Fallon]

He really did.

[Jackson White]

He did.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Well, your character. It was crazy.

[Jackson White]

It was like a Pokemon arena. I had all the characters and I just.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Just reveal all of them.

[Jackson White]

Reveal truths to all of them.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes.

[Jackson White]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Were fans.

[Mike Hopkins]

Were they?

[Jackson White]

I thought it was hilarious. Of course it is. There's a. There's, you know, I think it's a good thing if you hate it or you love it and that's. It feels like.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You know what I mean? Well, you're doing your job.

Yeah.

[Jackson White]

You're doing your job. And it was. I thought it was a really cosmically hilarious way to end the show. I thought it was very fun.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

Got him.

The final season of Coming Live is streaming now on Hulu. We'll be right back on that. My thanks to Morgan Freeman, Mike White, Jackson White.

You're the best.

And the Roots right there from Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Good night, everybody. Thank you.

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 podcasts. Watch the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock.