Trump Delivers 2026 State of the Union Address | Courteney Cox, Jeff Probst | Tuesday, February 24

Summary

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Episode: Trump Delivers 2026 State of the Union Address | Courteney Cox, Jeff Probst

Date: February 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Jimmy Fallon kicks off with a comedic take on President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address, poking fun at the political spectacle and highlighting recent pop culture events. The episode features in-depth and humorous interviews with Courteney Cox, discussing her role in Scream 7, her ventures in directing and home products, and her personal interests. Jeff Probst joins to celebrate the 50th season of Survivor, sharing stories from the show’s history, insights into the latest season, and his own new rock song. The tone is light, playful, and filled with classic Fallon-style banter.

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Key Segments & Timestamps

• Monologue and Trump State of the Union Jokes — [01:10–03:18]
• Pop Culture & Sponsor Parody — [03:21–06:44]
• Courteney Cox Interview — [07:15–19:08]
• Jeff Probst Interview — [19:27–27:26]

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Monologue Highlights

[01:10–03:18]

• Trump’s 2026 State of the Union:

  • Fallon jokes about President Trump’s speech, lampooning its celebratory tone and the repetitive nature of political applause:
    • “It was basically two hours of Trump telling us how great he is. I feel like we've been getting that State of the Union address every day since he took office.”
      — Jimmy Fallon (01:36)
    • On the speech theme—“America at 250, strong, prosperous, and respected. I'm pretty sure those words were taken off the pillows off my grandma's couch.”
      — Jimmy Fallon (01:44)
  • Mocking coordinated applause at such events:
    • “Maybe it's just me, but I feel like none of the applause breaks or standing ovations ever feel real. They're always so pre planned…”
      — Jimmy Fallon (01:54)

• Pop Culture Jokes:

  • Jokes about Trump’s age, Kim Jong Un’s “reelection,” and the new Bachelorette lineup, poking fun at the sameness of contestant bios.

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Sponsor Parody

[05:12–06:44]

• Playful, fake sponsor reads (in classic Fallon style). Examples:
  • “Butterfinger. We managed to name a candy, include both finger and butt.”
    — Jimmy Fallon (05:31)
  • “Hoka. For running as a 2 inch taller person.”
    — Jimmy Fallon (05:38)
  • “365 tomato ketchup. If you really didn’t want anyone at your BBQ, you could have just canceled.”
    — Jimmy Fallon (05:44)

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Interview: Courteney Cox

[07:15–19:08]

Personal Life & Friendship with Jimmy Fallon

• They reminisce about summer gatherings and “group texts”:

  • “We have a group text... The Nerd Herd is the name of our group.”
    — Courteney Cox (08:31)
  • They joke about “CU at 100” as a longevity-themed group name.

• Fallon shares a funny story about health products Cox recommended, including Duxiana pillows and Hap B, a device Cox admits might be “a placebo.”

  • “All I know is that Nancy was like, oh my God, I'm having the most incredible dream... I thought it was just a magnetic pillow.”
    — Courteney Cox (09:28–09:44)

Drumming & Performance Anxiety

• Cox discusses her passion for drumming, her social media posts, and why she won't perform live:
  • “Would you ever play in front of our audience?”
    — Jimmy Fallon (10:46)
  • “No, not a chance. I have such performance anxiety.”
    — Courteney Cox (10:55)

Directorial Debut: Evil Genius

• Cox describes finally completing her film based on the Netflix docuseries:
  • “I tried to get this made... for eight years... it's been so many things that happened. But it was based on the docuseries Evil Genius”
    — Courteney Cox (11:44)
  • Stars Patricia Arquette and David Harbour.
• Perseverance through obstacles like the COVID pandemic and industry strikes:
  • “You got to stick with things.”
    — Courteney Cox (12:10)

Business Venture: Home Court

• Discusses creating stylish, scented home cleaning products.
  • “Not only does it smell great, but also it looks good… And you go, that's why I designed it.”
    — Jimmy Fallon (12:41)
  • “I wanted it to smell good. I wanted it to work. I wanted it to look good… I'm really proud of it.”
    — Courteney Cox (13:02)

Scream 7 Release

• Fallon praises Cox for appearing in every Scream film and pokes fun at her iconic “micro bangs” in Scream 3:

  • “I mean, would you look at that? Is the worst hairdo—bangs?”
    — Courteney Cox (14:45)
  • Fallon dons a wig imitating the look for comedic effect:
    • “What are you talking? You wouldn't even look twice if you came out here and I said, ladies and gentlemen, Courtney Cox is here. And I go, Courtney, good to see you.”
      — Jimmy Fallon (15:06)

• Behind-the-scenes on what still scares her after seven Scream movies:

  • “I'm scared of everything anyway... In Scream, like, there's one where there are, you know, ghost faces under a bathroom stall. So when you go to a bathroom anywhere... I'm just waiting to see those black boots come down.”
    — Courteney Cox (16:31)

• On the plot of Scream 7:

  • “Sidney Prescott is back... Nev Campbell, who's fantastic, and her daughter Isabel May… It's a mother daughter relationship, and it's a real tearjerker. No, I'm just kidding. It's scary and good, but there is heart.”
    — Courteney Cox (17:32, 17:47)

• Jimmy tries (and fails) to extract spoilers for Scream 7 and the potential for Scream 8.

  • “Like, when they do Scream 8, are you gonna be in it?”
    — Jimmy Fallon (18:22)
  • “If I was able to read the script, I don’t know.”
    — Courteney Cox (18:59)

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Interview: Jeff Probst

[19:27–27:26]

Celebrating Survivor 50

• Fallon congratulates Probst as the “five-time Emmy-winning host.”
• Probst shares how the show's 50th season inspired him to record a rock song—“Survivor 50 (Come and Get It)”:
  • “I want to write a rock song. So we recorded at Henson Studio… one of the most legendary rock studios in the world.”
    — Jeff Probst (21:02, 21:25)
  • “I'm not kidding, it was one of the highlights of my life.”
    — Jeff Probst (21:29)

Survivor History & Reflections

• Probst shares memories of the first season’s live, risky format (no retakes):
  • “What I remember about it is it was one take. You're not gonna get the players back up on the boat and say, jump again… We were making a show by hook or by crook.”
    — Jeff Probst (21:52, 22:12)

New Book & Behind-the-Scenes Photos

• Promotes a new photo book featuring 1,000 images from the show’s 25 years, taken by DP Scott Duncan.

  • “If you’re a Survivor fan, it’s a very visceral experience.”
    — Jeff Probst (22:49)

• Journal excerpt reveal: “Giant monitor lizard in my room.”
  — Jeff Probst (23:17)

Casting & Surprises for Season 50

• Discusses the process of selecting returning contestants:

  • “We only had so many slots… Had we stopped the day before, it might have been a slightly different group.”
    — Jeff Probst (23:38–23:51)

• Special Guests for Season 50:

  • Mike White’s return (“He said, 'I need this. I want to try it. It's fun.'").
    — Jeff Probst (24:22)
  • Season includes appearances by celebrities: Jimmy Fallon, MrBeast, Zac Brown, Billie Eilish.
    • “So, it's you, MrBeast, Zac Brown, Billie Eilish. Come on.”
      — Jeff Probst (25:38)
  • Probst himself competes for the first time:
    • “It was only fitting that I have talked so much smack for so many years that I finally compete… I'm only going to say, I have a lot of respect for the players.”
      — Jeff Probst (26:38, 26:50)

The Philosophy of Survivor

• On the show’s enduring appeal and family audience:
  • “We’ve always wanted Survivor to be a family show… If something sensitive were to come up about race or gender… we talk about it because it’s happening on the show… it’s this human adventure, and it’s real and it’s fun for everyone to watch.”
    — Jeff Probst (27:26)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jimmy’s Political Satire:
  • “I feel like we've been getting that State of the Union address every day since he took office.” (01:36)
• Courteney Cox on Chasing Her Directing Dream:
  • “Eight years I tried to get this made… But I stuck with it. You got to stick with things.” (11:44–12:10)
• Jeff Probst on His First Time Competing:
  • “It was only fitting that I have talked so much smack for so many years that I finally compete.” (26:38)

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Recap/Takeaways

• The episode blends Fallon’s trademark comedy, parodic sponsor bits, and witty observations on politics & pop culture.
• Courteney Cox stands out for her candor about acting, directing, entrepreneurship, and new chapters—punctuated by running in-jokes about “micro bangs.”
• Jeff Probst marks 50 seasons of Survivor with humor, nostalgia, exciting new elements (celebrity guests, himself competing), and a wise, heartfelt explanation of the show’s impact.

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For Fans & Newcomers Alike

If you missed the episode, expect quick laughs at the expense of politicians, a deep dive with beloved stars, playful jabs at pop culture trends, and heartfelt talk-show camaraderie. Courteney Cox and Jeff Probst display humility and humor while celebrating their work and their journeys. The episode closes on a celebratory note, teasing a star-studded, innovative season of Survivor and more projects from its guests.

Transcript

[A]

From Studio 6B in Rockefeller's center in the heart of New York City is the Tonight show, starring Jimmy Fallon. Tonight joined Jimmy is Deaf, Courtney Cox, Jeff Crop. And featuring the legendary Roots crew two two, five, five. And now here he is, Jimmy Fall Sad. Thank you very much, everybody. Enjoy yourself.

[B]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Tonight Show.

[A]

You're here.

[B]

You made it.

[A]

Thank you for watching.

[B]

Well, guys, earlier tonight, President Trump delivered his State of the Union address. And if you didn't want to watch Trump, there was an alternate State of the Union with Bad Bunny instead. Yeah. Tonight, Trump walked into the Capitol where he saw members of the House, Senate and Supreme Court and was like, oh, crap, is this an intervention? Trump was greeted by the House, the Senate, and Supreme Court and he said, wow, everyone I hate in one room. Amazing. But tonight, Trump's speech focused on his major accomplishments. And when those eight seconds were up, he just ripped for an hour and a half. It was basically two hours of Trump telling us how great he is. I feel like we've been getting that State of the Union address every day since he took office. But the theme of Trump's speech was America at 250, strong, prosperous, and respected. I'm pretty sure those words were taken off the pillows off my grandma's couch. Don't sit down there. Yeah. Tonight, President Trump delivered his State of the Union address like it always goes. He received many applause breaks and sending ovations by his own party. And maybe it's just me, but I feel like none of the applause breaks or standing ovations ever feel real. They're always so pre planned, you guys know what I mean? That is so kind. Thank you. But you'd only do something like that if it was earned, right? Exactly. It's not like we'd have some planned clapping choreography where one side would stand up and then the other side would stand up, and then. And then the last section would stand up. You know what I'm talking about? That'd just be weird because at the end of the day, if we force you guys to applaud, then what is the fun in that? I mean, like, could you all imagine if we told you all to do one single clap? It'd be ridiculous. I'm glad you guys get it. All right, let's move on.

[C]

Let's move on.

[B]

Hey, get this. A new poll found that Americans think Trump is growing more erratic with age. You think he's bad now? Just wait until he hits the terrible 82s. That's rural. Some news from overseas. Kim Jong Un was Just re elected as the leader of his party in North Korea. As a real nail biter, he couldn't decide whether to elect himself by 100% or 200%. How much do I want to win this? Apparently, Kim Jong Un is contemplating who he will pass the torch to. Right now, it's between Kim Jong Vance and Kim Jong Rubia. Well, some TV news. The contestants for the new season of the Bachelorette were just announced. Yep. So far, all we know about them are their names and jobs. Here's what they had to say. First, Casey said, I'm an entrepreneur who is ready to find the one. Then Clayton said, I'm also an entrepreneur who's ready to find the one. Then Conrad said, I'm ready to find the one. And by the way, I'm an entrepreneur. Then Kevin said, I'm ready to find an entrepreneur. I'm the one. Then Michael said, I'm an astrophysicist. If by astro you mean entrepreneur and by physicist you mean who's ready to find the one? Matt said, entrepreneur, Me. One who's find I ready am. And finally, Josh said, I'm only here because I want to be on Dancing with the Stars one day. This is being honest. Honesty is honesty. Yeah. And finally, before we move on, I'd like to take a moment to thank some of our sponsors for tonight's show. The they don't always fit in the commercial breaks and we want to make sure that we mention all of them. It's time for tonight show sponsors.

[C]

Here we go.

[A]

Tonight show sponsors. Tonight show sponsors.

[B]

Sonos. Sometimes we actually work. Chewy. Make the mailman carry a 65 pound bag of dog food. Butterfinger. We managed to name a candy, include both finger and butt. Yelp. Come see what a random Tammy thinks. Hoka. For running as a 2 inch taller person. Panda Express. Our name sounds like we serve Panda, but. Well, actually maybe. 365 tomato ketchup. If you really didn't want anyone to come to your barbecue, you could have just canceled. Rivian Drive. Brag your tax return. Apple watch. Spend $300 for your wrist to tell you to go for a walk. And finally, cinnamon Altoids. Now your breath smells a different kind of bath.

[A]

That's all for tonight's show sponsors. We have a great show. Courtney Cox is here tonight. Survivor host Jeff Probst is joining us. Stick around. We'll be right back with Kourt.

[B]

Our first guest is a very talented actress starring in the new movie Scream 7, which is in theaters and IMAX this Friday. Please welcome Courtney Cobbs.

[A]

Courtney,

[B]

thank you so much for being here. I am very lucky to say that I get to hang out with you, like, once or twice every summer.

[D]

That's right.

[B]

With different friends that we have.

[D]

I know. And I get so excited, and you're the first person I ask about, is he gonna be there? Is Nancy gonna be there?

[B]

That's what we do, too. We go, is Courtney gonna be there? Cause you're so fun.

[D]

You are so fun.

[B]

And, like, we're at this place. It's kind of like a resort type of place. And I just look for you in the morning, see if you're. We can have coffee together. Like. Yeah, let's hang out.

[D]

Also, it's the karaoke, first of all. It's where we go. The altitude's pretty high. I cannot even breathe, and you're up there doing karaoke on the dance. Okay.

[B]

No, but we. Yeah, but we both did.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, yeah. We sing, we hang. We're fun. You're the most fun. I always. Because I can talk to you about everything. I can talk to you about movies, music. You have great taste in music. Talk about your drumming.

[D]

By the way, we also have a group text.

[B]

We do have a group text, which is great.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

We're really obsessed with health and longevity, obviously. Longevity.

[B]

Yeah. And abbreviations of things that we don't really know what they are.

[D]

Yeah. Like hrv. But the greatest thing, it's called the Nerd Herd.

[B]

Yeah. The Nerd Herd is the name of our group.

[D]

Yeah. And you at one point, said you wanted to name it CU at 100. And I was like, by the time you get to 100, I'll be way too far into my hundred.

[B]

Nerd Hurt is what it is, but we send each other things and articles and products. You sent me and Nancy, my wife, the best pillows. I think about you every night.

[D]

Duxiana pillows. They're great.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What kind of are they?

[D]

Duxiana? They're travel pillows. But they're the greatest. To sleep on top of any other pillow.

[B]

No, I sleep on those every single night. And then you just recently sent me another pillow.

[D]

Well, it's this thing called. I don't even know if it works or not, but it's called Hap B. Yeah.

[B]

Hap B. H A P B.

[D]

It's something like that.

[C]

Hap B.

[D]

All I know is that Nancy was like, oh, my God, I'm having the most incredible dream that I've ever had.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

And I said, good for you. You downloaded the app. And she said, no. I just turned it on. I thought, that's great. It's like, what's the word? When placebo.

[B]

You're like, jimmy, did you download the app and turn it on? I go, I didn't know it turns on. I thought it was just. I just thought it was like a magnetic pillow or something. But she's like, my wife's having the best dreams ever. You're like, I don't think she has anything to do with this, man. But I love hanging with you and talking about all that nerdy stuff. But also, I talk about your drumming because I think you're a fantastic drummer. I mean, Questlove, look out, bud. I mean, seriously. No, no. Yeah, but I mean, how did you get into drumming? When did you get into drumming?

[D]

I love drumming. I mean, I love drummers. I go to concerts and I just am obsessed with watching. It's amazing. It's a great instrument. I don't know how I got into it. All I know is that a friend of mine gave me a set for my birthday. They're in my living room. I'm like, no. Where else am I going to put it? It's so loud.

[B]

It's a loud instrument.

[D]

Turns out it's my favorite new hobby. I love it.

[B]

You're fantastic at it. And you post. I follow you on socials, by the way. They're funny as well. Your socials are so good and funny. Would you ever. We always have a set of drums here. Would you ever play in front of our audience? Nirvana.

[D]

I love that I even took a beat to say what I'm about to say. No, not a chance. I have such performance anxiety.

[B]

Really?

[D]

Oh, my God. I love tennis. And when I was a kid, my dad used to say, all right, let's go play. Let's hit some balls. I mean, you could tell he was kind of in a hurry and say, all right. All right, baby, let's go. No balls in the net. I didn't get one over the net. I can't do it. Someone. Yeah, I can't do that.

[B]

All right. So we'd have to do it, like, a secret thing.

[D]

Oh, we will find time to do it. Yeah.

[B]

But this you're fine with. We could just talk and be buds and that's.

[D]

Oh, no, no.

[B]

Yeah. You're good with this.

[C]

I mean, you.

[B]

A talk show.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

No, yeah, they're great. They love you. Yeah. But I want to mention everything that you have going on because you just finished directing a film.

[D]

Oh, God, it was the greatest thing

[B]

I've been Talking about this for years, bud.

[D]

Eight years I tried to get this made and there's been so many things that happened. But it was based on the docu series Evil Genius on Netflix. It's just an absurd story. So I'm telling the love story and the absurdity of it, so not just retelling the doc. It's with Patricia Arquette and David Harbour. It will come out someplace because they are incredible. And I. I'm so proud.

[B]

You stuck with it.

[D]

I stuck with it. You got to stick with things.

[B]

Yeah. I'm so happy that you did it because you're like. It was. I know you had it. And I think Covid then happened and there was.

[D]

And all the strikes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Writers strike. And then we're like, no. And you're like, I'm just going to keep doing this.

[D]

I couldn't give up.

[B]

And good for them, Patricia and David, to do it with you. They're talented.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I can't wait. Evil Genius.

[D]

Thank you.

[B]

Yeah. All right, good. I cannot wait for that. But then also, I want to talk about. You have your. These home products that I love called Home Court. Now, by the way, I love this. I use this.

[D]

I have sent you this.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I use this. We love it. But here's why I love it. Not only does it smell great, by the way, but also it looks good. And I was talking to you, I go, I think it looks good. And you go, that's why I designed it.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

There are no square shaped soap dispensers.

[D]

You can't put things together. Like, this is a counter spray. But I didn't want to put something. First of all, it does smell really good. Yeah. But I. Because I can smell the candle.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

But I didn't want to have to always put things under my counter when my counter doesn't have. This is so weird lined up. It does. It looks empty. I wanted it to smell good. I wanted it to work. I want it to look good. And it's actually, I'm really proud of it also. And thank you for bringing out on such a beautiful, nice display.

[B]

Right. It's almost like a very, like, Price is Right. But I want to say, is it going on its fourth year?

[D]

We just. Yeah, we just.

[B]

Congratulations. Yeah.

[D]

It's doing well.

[B]

Courtney. This is massive.

[D]

Yeah, it's.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Home Court. I love it. It's fantastic. It smells good. That is sweet. No, I had to bring it out because by the way, we use it, Nancy and I, we think of you when we wake up. We think of you when we go to sleep, we think of you when we do the dishes.

[D]

You think of me in the shower?

[B]

Yes, in the shower. I think of you all the time. But let's Talk about Scream 7. Scream 7 this weekend, theaters and IMAX. You're the only one who's been in every screen Scream movie. By the way, that's a little feather in your cap. Yeah. Not too shabby. Your character in Scream 3, by the way, gets a lot of pickup on the Internet because of your hair choice. Your character went with bangs.

[D]

That's right.

[B]

Yeah. And was that your choice for that character?

[D]

Well, I mean, the bangs were my choice.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

It's not the way they came out.

[B]

You think?

[D]

I only had one set of bangs and they were ok. Like micro bangs.

[B]

I know, it's just, look, I mean, they're very.

[C]

Of course.

[B]

It's your beautiful face. So you can pull off anything.

[D]

No, I can't.

[B]

You. You didn't love the bangs.

[D]

I mean, would you look at that is the worst hairdo bangs?

[B]

Are you talking about? I think I can,

[A]

uh.

[B]

Oh, I think I can pull this off. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

What are you talking. You wouldn't even look twice if you came out here and I said, ladies and gentlemen, Courtney Cox is here. And I go, courtney, good to see you. You wouldn't even act like anything was different, right?

[D]

I'm not going to tell you.

[A]

No.

[D]

You're so cute. It's the worst you've ever looked.

[B]

What are you talking about?

[D]

I mean, this skit worthy. But do not ever wear those out. They look as bad as this.

[B]

Thank you. I got an old baby out there. I like it.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Let's Talk about Scream 7. I'm gonna leave it on for the rest of you.

[D]

I don't know what scarier you emotion.

[B]

I love it. I left him really high up too, I think.

[D]

Oh, no, that's the.

[B]

The higher up, the better it is. I think the lower I could like.

[D]

That's kind of. That actually looks good.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I almost feel like a British rocker, you know? This is the jam. Yeah, that's where I have to leave it. Let's Talk about Scream 7, by the way, besides, this wig. Do things now scare you? Now that you've done Scream seven of these Scream movies, like, do you get scared, Ghostface? I would be afraid now when you see this one, but old walls, wallpaper scares me. Paintings scare me because there's knives coming through everything.

[D]

Absolutely. I'm scared of everything anyway. I'm just a real jumpy person. But birds Things, you name it. But in Scream, like, there's one where there are, you know, ghost faces under a bathroom stall. So when you go to a bathroom anywhere, I'm like, I'm just waiting to see those black boots come down. Or parking lots, it doesn't matter. In this one, I went. I just saw it the other day, and I was in a theater by myself. That's weird. I'm about to say. With somebody by myself. With Coco, my daughter. And I had to go to the bathroom and I thought, oh, my God, I'm too scared to go to the bathroom.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And she's like, I don't want to miss the movie. And I. So we called each other. Oh, I was on the phone. And then I tried to scare her, but I was so scared and I tried to be Ghostface, and I don't sound good doing it.

[B]

It backfired. Yeah.

[D]

I was like, coco, how many didn't work out? She likes Gary McMurray. I couldn't do it. She's like, mom, you're so.

[B]

Yeah, it didn't work. No spoilers. I don't want to do anything, but can we say what's happening in Scream 7?

[D]

Well, Sidney Prescott is back.

[B]

Nev Campbell, who's fantastic,

[D]

and her daughter Isabel May. I always get scared I'm going to say someone's name wrong, but I said it right.

[B]

Yes, correct.

[D]

She's incredible. Anyway, it's a mother daughter relationship, and it's a real tearjerker. No, I'm just kidding. It's scary and good, but there is heart.

[B]

She's starting a new life with her daughter in her town, and then Ghostface comes after her.

[D]

That's right.

[B]

Now, Nev said something yesterday that she was like, we never know who's gonna get killed off in these movies. And I go, yeah. And I don't want you to tell me who's getting killed off. I just want.

[D]

Because I was told I could do that. No, you don't have to.

[C]

Ever.

[B]

No, but I'm so good that I could probably get it out of you as an interviewer without anyone even knowing.

[D]

Really?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, when they do scream 8, are you gonna be in it?

[D]

Oh, see, that's smart. He's good. I don't know.

[B]

Is Nev gonna be in it? I love Nev.

[D]

You are good. I'm this close to saying everything, but.

[B]

Yeah, but you guys would be up. Both of you guys would be up if they made Scream 8, you'd be up to be in it.

[D]

Both of you guys if we were alive.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, that's right.

[D]

That's right.

[B]

Yeah. Okay. But if they started filming and they go, yeah. And you read the script, you'd be oh, yeah, of course. You're in it. Gail's in it.

[D]

If I was able to read the script, I don't know

[A]

what.

[B]

Ok. All right, good. So we're never gonna know anything.

[A]

Courtney Cox, everybody. Scream 7 is in theaters and IMAX this Friday. Jeff Crops joins us after the break. Stick around everybod.

[B]

Maybe it's fake. If it's coming. No one pullin away. I'm not gonna.

[A]

Our next Guest is the five time

[B]

Emmy winning host and producer of Survivor. Season 50 premieres tomorrow night at 8pm on CBS and Paramount. Please welcome Jeff Prost.

[A]

That's the best.

[D]

Come on the room.

[C]

The roots always give you such a nice personal welcome. I didn't even pick up on the 50.

[B]

They always do. They always. They overthink everything. They're fantastic.

[C]

How are you?

[B]

I'm great. I'm so. I cannot wait to talk to you about everything. I'm so happy you're here. Congrats, Survivor 50.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

This is a big deal.

[C]

I know.

[B]

It is. It's been.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

It's crazy. There's a lot to celebrate. I know. We want to get to the book. You have a book out as well. But also you did something that I thought was so fun. Fun and awesome. You released a song that you sing.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

It's.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

It's called Survivor 50.

[C]

Come and get it. It's the song. Yes.

[B]

It's called Survivor 50.

[C]

It's a rock song.

[B]

Yes. It's legit. This is real deal.

[C]

Well, I don't know that it's legit,

[B]

but look at this picture.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Yep. This is. Yeah.

[C]

Okay. And Okay. A little context. That is Wichita, Kansas. And I am not kidding when I say that was just a Tuesday. That's what I. That's how I dressed. I was in a. Like a rock band. That was terrible. But I didn't know that.

[B]

No. You look so cool.

[C]

Come on.

[B]

With the Van Halen T shirt.

[C]

I wanted to be David Lee Roth.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Who didn't?

[B]

We all wanted to be?

[C]

Exactly. For real.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Why would you do that? It's ridiculous. Over the top. But I was thinking of Survivor 50 and the super bowl shuffle that the Chicago Bears did.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

For the Super Bowl. And I thought, I'm going to die one day. I want to do the things I want to do. I want to write a rock song. So we recorded at Henson Studio. Now it's Chaplin Studio. It's one of the most legendary rock studios recording studios in the world.

[B]

You went there to record? Yes. How fun.

[C]

It was so much fun.

[B]

I'm not kidding.

[C]

It was one of the highlights of my life, too.

[B]

Come on, bud. To do that, I think it's the greatest thing.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Survivor 50. Come and get it on Spotify. Wherever you get your music, listen to it. It's so fun. When you're having your watch party tomorrow night.

[C]

There you go.

[B]

Turn this on and crank it loud. I read somewhere that when you were doing Survivor 50 before you shot it, you watched the first ever episode I did of Survivor. What went through your brain? What do you remember?

[C]

Well, I had not watched it because I couldn't. I had this, like, trauma. I mean, how was it? Was I okay? Was the show okay? And what I remember was when it started, the very first season, we just started. All of a sudden, people just started jumping off the boat. And I have to explain what the show's about. And what I remember about it is it was one take. You're not gonna get the players back up on the boat and say, jump again. And so Survivor has always been that sort of one take. Risky. Try an idea. If it works, do it again. If it doesn't, try something else. But that's what stood out to me, is we were making a show by hook or by crook. It's just a live show.

[B]

Yeah. Who knows what this show is going to be? Who knows how it's gonna end?

[C]

Who knew what it was gonna be? That was it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And right there. And you took it from there. You also, you released this book today. It's out.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

This is by you and this is all of your. It's photos and pretty spectacular.

[C]

Scott Duncan is our main DP on the show and these are 1000 photos from his 25 years. He's a day one person. And if you're a Survivor fan, it's a very visceral experience.

[B]

Yeah, I know. Everyone is. Siri. I love everybody in here. Here's one of your journals in the back.

[C]

I kept a journal in the first season.

[B]

We started shooting in one week. This unscripted, live, spontaneous experience. I will have to react to what is happening as it happens in real time. Giant monitor lizard in my room.

[C]

That thing was huge and I didn't even know what they were. But I woke up in the middle of the night and this creature is just crawling along.

[B]

Yeah, you've seen everything. But also I was going through how many people have been on Survivor now, contestants? There were 750.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

How did you narrow down who would be on All Stars? Who would be on.

[C]

Oh, it was it. We did it for about a year. You know, we started with 200.

[B]

So many.

[C]

Great. And we left so many people out because we only had so many slots.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But ultimately, you just. One day, you go, okay, this is the group. Had we stopped the day before, it might have been a slightly different group.

[B]

How'd you get Mike White to come back?

[C]

Mike texted me and said, like, six months before we shot, he said, hey, if you're doing something cool for 50 and if you would like me, I would like to be a part of it, but you're gonna have to let me know because I have to change my production schedule for White Lotus. Yes. So I'm sitting in my house going, so we're gonna change the White Lotus for survival.

[B]

Wow, look at that.

[C]

Mike White is so cool. I mean, here's a guy with the biggest show on earth in the world.

[B]

He's the greatest director, and he still

[C]

said, I need this. I want to try it. It's fun. He doesn't have ego in that way. He doesn't feel like I might get embarrassed. No, he's still Mike White. He's still got White Lotus.

[B]

Yes. But there's so many twists and turns and surprises this season. You'll see on Wednesday, some previews, and there's rumors. I don't know if you can say or can I say.

[C]

You're in the promo.

[B]

Okay, good.

[C]

Yes. I'm.

[B]

I'm in this season of survival.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm so excited.

[B]

I am so excited, dude. I'm so excited to say finally, because I kept it a secret of, like, am I allowed? I don't want to ruin anything for you.

[C]

Well, here's the thing. I don't even know if I've told you this, but the theme of this season's in the hands of the fans, and they voted on a bunch of things for how the show would play out. And in the back of my mind, I thought, man, there's some really cool, famous Survivor fans. I wonder if they'd want to be a part of it. But I didn't want to ask anybody. So Zac Brown had told me one day, he said, you know, I can't do the show, but if you ever need me for a weekend. And I sort of lodged that. Then you and I were here, and we had this little game where you said, you should be on the show. And I go, I will if you will.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

And we shook hands. And that night I texted you and said, I'm holding you to it. And that's when we decided, let's have a few celebrities. So it's you, MrBeast, Zach Brown, Billie Eilish. Come on. Come on.

[B]

That's a good crew.

[C]

It's really fun. And you all bring, you all throw a different wrench into the game. It's really cool.

[B]

I am so beyond honored, you know. Cause I told you, you know, every time I beg you to come on the show and tell me everything, just little hints, but this, guys, I'm telling you, I was so nervous about this. I don't want to tell you what the thing is or how I'm involved, but I am involved. And then you called me from Fiji.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And like, what? Here's how it went down.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Jimmy, can you hear me? Here's how it went down. Like, what is happening right now?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So rad.

[C]

Thank you for doing it. It was really, really fun. It added a great layer.

[B]

But then, but also you said, I said if I'm going to be on, you have to be on.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And did you?

[C]

I mean, I am a man of my word. I'll just leave it at that.

[B]

Do you compete this year? I'll just leave it at that.

[C]

It's a big but. It's enough of a tease, but Jeff

[B]

Probst competes in Survivor.

[C]

Yeah, I do. You do?

[B]

I do.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Wow.

[C]

It was only fitting that I have talked so much smack for so many years that I finally compete. And I'm not gonna say how it went. I'm only gonna say I have a lot of respect for the players.

[B]

What do you want people to remember from everything that you do out there? I, I, I will quickly just say I think you're the best to do it. The best to, to host any of these reality shows.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

And, and whatever's thrown your way, you, you, the, the leader that we all look to to talk. And you go, hey, guys, here's what happened. And I just feel safe seeing you. I love that. Control the game and make sure it's working. Make sure it's all even. Make sure everyone's being heard and being taken care of. It never gets too crazy, and I just love it. Every season's different and there's tricks and psychological tricks to the game as well.

[C]

Well, to your point, we wanted, we've always wanted Survivor to be a family show. It's still vicious. People play a very hard cutthroat game. But to your point, if something sensitive were to come up about race or gender or something, we talk about it because it's happening on the show. But we try to do it in a way where if you are watching as a family, you can say, what would you do if that happened? How would you two handle that? And that's kind of the idea behind Survivor, is that it's this giant game, it's this human adventure, and it's real and it's fun for everyone to watch.

[A]

The Greatest Survivor 50 premieres tomorrow at 8pm on CBS. And time out. Figure out. You did it, bud. My thanks to Courtney Cox, Jeff Probs and the Roots right there from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Good night, everybody. Thank. Do it. Get into it.

[C]

Thanks for listening to the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon. Don't forget to subscribe to get the

[B]

latest episodes weekday mornings. Wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock.