Trump Demands for His Enemies to Be Prosecuted | Sean Penn, Zachary Quinto, Fredrik Backman | Monday, September 22

Summary

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Episode: Trump Demands for His Enemies to Be Prosecuted | Sean Penn, Zachary Quinto, Fredrik Backman
Airdate: September 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Tonight Show mixes political satire, pop culture updates, and engaging celebrity interviews. The main theme centers on current U.S. political controversies, celebrity guest appearances (Sean Penn, Zachary Quinto, and Fredrik Backman), and the humorous chaos of today's pop culture and business news.

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1. Monologue & Political Satire

Timestamps: 01:11–07:13

Key Points

• United Nations General Assembly in NYC:
  Jimmy jokes about the chaos of NYC with over 150 world leaders in town and pokes fun at global leaders encountering New York life.

  “There's nothing better than closing all the roads in midtown so the King of Denmark can see Hamilton.” — Jimmy Fallon (01:28)

• Donald Trump News:

  • Discusses Trump’s demands that his Attorney General prosecute political opponents and fundraising for the White House ballroom, with an ongoing joke about Trump's obsession with walls.
  • Mocks Trump's announcement of billionaires' involvement in a TikTok deal, riffing on Rupert Murdoch’s age:

    “Every time he exhales, it looks like he's doing the cinnamon challenge.” — Jimmy Fallon (02:57)

• Visa Fee Satire:

  • Trump’s 'Super Visa' rate hike (from $2,000 to $100,000) is lampooned. Jimmy brings on a fake ‘immigration official’ (comedy bit):
    • Super Visa Perks: Signed hat, bumper sticker, and a "jump the line" pass at Cheesecake Factory.

      “Workers will now receive a hat signed by President Trump or one of his assistants... and a jump the line pass for all participating Cheesecake Factories.” — ‘Henry Collins’ (03:59)

    • Skit escalates to increasingly absurd ‘ultra visa’ perks, poking fun at U.S. immigration policies and using branded humor.

    • “You unlock our $200,000 ultra visa. Your name will be listed in our soon to be released new declaration of Independence.” — ‘Henry Collins’ (04:55)

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2. Pop Culture & Business News

Timestamps: 07:13–12:49

Taylor Swift Fervor

• Jokes about Taylor Swift’s upcoming album and AMC release event, with exaggerated graphics and the show being overrun by “too many” Taylor Swift updates.

  “People care more about Taylor Swift updates than me.” — Jimmy Fallon (07:25)

• SiriusXM’s countdown and AMC’s special Swift event highlighted.

Brand Battles

• Beer: Michelob Ultra dethrones Modelo as America’s top beer, with a jab at its mildness.
• Coffee: Parody ad battle between Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte and new apple drinks, plus Dunkin’ joining with a “Jack Daniels Latte Blues.”

  “Fist fighting in a coffee shop is our thing. Anyway. Try a new fall drink: the Jack Daniels Latte Blues.” — Dunkin’ parody ad (09:40)

Recalls Montage

• A rapid-fire segment on recent mass product recalls: Toyota/Lexus dashboards, Hyundai seatbelts, Goodles vegan mac-and-cheese (“may contain milk”), Costco Prosecco, and ladders.
• Humorous chain of disappointment, culminating in:

  “I give up.” — Comedy sidekick (12:35)

Oddball Stories

• Crocs for dogs (Jimmy: “That dog is like, please put a cone on me so I can’t see this.” 12:59)
• Nun celebrates her 105th birthday with golf.

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3. Host Plug: New NBC Show

Timestamps: 13:37–15:34

Jimmy announces his new NBC reality competition show, “On Brand,” debuting next week. He jokes about the process of pitching show ideas and riffs on some failed concepts, such as “Sled Shot” and “Garden Nonnas” (garden gnome grandmas).

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4. Celebrity Interviews

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Sean Penn

Timestamps: 17:01–26:13

Main Topics:

• New York Nostalgia: Sean recalls his early days in NYC and playfully references the sensation of being on stage.

  “Walking out here is disorienting...you know that viral video, the kid is just a small kid...and he'd gotten to the dentist and had that happy gas?” — Sean Penn (17:14)

• Funny Rumors:

  • Boxing with Bob Dylan:

    “Bob Dylan, turns out, is a student of boxing...he would show up every morning...with his hoodie on and about six bull mastiffs coming out of a VW van...and we'd spar.” — Sean Penn (19:27)

  • Stand-Up Comedy Attempts:

    “I wanted to challenge myself to try the terror of stand up. And I did. And it was a terror and it damaged the people in the audience.” — Sean Penn (20:23)

  • Hearing Springsteen’s “Nebraska” Early:
    Sean shares how Springsteen’s demo influenced his first film, “The Indian Runner.”

• Artistic Insight:

  • Comparing acting to “carving in snow,” referencing Orson Welles.

    “Acting in theater is like carving in snow...it's hard for something to be...indelible. But I think that the magic you're looking for is that moment you get to carve the snow.” — Sean Penn (22:14)

• New Movie “One Battle After Another”:

  • Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, soundtrack by Johnny Greenwood.
  • Sean praises Anderson’s vision and describes the collaborative nature of the project.

    “Everything in that movie, everything, his words and direction and the music he chose, the other actors he chose made us do what we did, gave us that like a gift.” — Sean Penn (25:11)

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Zachary Quinto

Timestamps: 26:40–31:25

Main Topics:

• Broadway Experience:

  • Reflects on performing "Cult of Love" with Shailene Woodley and the challenge of playing banjo on stage.
  • Discusses handling celebrity audience members and reviews:

    “I really do adopt that philosophy that what other people think of me is none of my business.” — Zachary Quinto (28:04)

• Star Trek Rumors:

  • Hints there’s always chatter about a new movie but nothing concrete.

    “There's always like, oh, they're gonna do another movie. I don't know. I hope so...It's been 10 years since the last movie came out.” — Zachary Quinto (29:09)

• Brilliant Minds Season 2:

  • Character (Dr. Wolf) starts in a mental institution.
  • Excited to return with new doctors/cast.

    “We meet my character...trying to escape from a mental institution, and he's not the doctor, but he's the patient.” — Zachary Quinto (29:53)

  • Highlights difficulty of medical jargon (levetiracetam tongue twister).

    “I started him on levetiracetam, but I thought you'd want to meet him...But I could not. I kept saying, I started him on Levitarecidum.” — Zachary Quinto (30:45)

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Fredrik Backman

Timestamps: 32:00–37:10

Main Topics:

• Bestselling Author Spotlight:

  • First-ever TV appearance; visibly nervous.

    “I imagine this is what it feels like to have a heart attack.” — Fredrik Backman (32:48)

• Writing Process:

  • Jimmy shares favorite lines highlighted on Kindle and praises Backman’s humor and poignancy.
  • Discusses writing authentic teenage voices, drawing from his own children for inspiration.

    “I made the terrible mistake of talking to my 12 year old daughter about skinny jeans…” — Fredrik Backman (34:24)

  • Shares a humorous family exchange about embarrassment and finds the character’s voice in it:

    “‘Well, I'm embarrassed about other things if he wants a list.’ And I was like, that's the voice.” — Fredrik Backman (36:06)

• Book Club Recognition:

  • Receives the honorary Fallon Book Club pin, vows to wear it proudly (at home, in skinny jeans).

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5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There's nothing better than closing all the roads in midtown so the King of Denmark can see Hamilton.” — Jimmy Fallon (01:28)
• “With a $2,000 regular visa, workers were just receiving the ability to work in America. It's like, big deal, right?” — Henry Collins, Immigration satire (03:38)
• “Acting in theater is like carving in snow.” — Orson Welles via Sean Penn (22:14)
• “I really do adopt that philosophy that what other people think of me is none of my business.” — Zachary Quinto (28:04)
• “Well, I'm embarrassed about other things if he wants a list. And I was like, that's the voice.” — Fredrik Backman (36:06)

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6. Summary Table of Key Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |----------------------------------|--------------| | Monologue & Trump Satire | 01:11–07:13 | | Pop Culture & Recalls | 07:13–12:49 | | Jimmy’s NBC Show Announcement | 13:37–15:34 | | Sean Penn Interview | 17:01–26:13 | | Zachary Quinto Interview | 26:40–31:25 | | Fredrik Backman Interview | 32:00–37:10 |

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7. Overall Tone & Takeaways

Jimmy delivers the episode with his characteristic blend of quick sarcasm, playful self-deprecation, and high-energy crowd interaction. The guests offer a mix of gravity (Sean Penn), self-aware wit (Quinto), and charming modesty (Backman). Politics, pop culture, and personal creativity get equal air time, making this episode a quintessential representation of The Tonight Show’s late-night variety and spirit.

Transcript

[A]

From Studio 6 Beam, Rockefeller center in the heart of New York City, this is a Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Tonight join Jimmy and his guests, Sean Penn, Zachary Quinto, Frederick Bauchman. And featuring the legendary Ruth Cru. 2188. Jimmy. And now, here he is. JIMM Jesus. Thank you. Enjoy yourself. Enjoy us, everybody. Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Tonight Show. Welcome.

[B]

Well, guys, today over 150 world leaders arrived in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly. Yep. And with the UN Traffic being what it is, I'm proud to announce tonight's show is going to be a sleepover.

[A]

Yeah. Stay the whole night.

[B]

Yep. All of the world leaders are here. There's nothing better than closing all the roads in midtown so the King of Denmark can see Hamilton. You know what I'm saying? Seriously, what's more fun than seeing the President of Finland holding a restaurant buzzer outside of Bubba Gump Shrimp? You know, it's just exciting to see this. Meanwhile, tomorrow morning, President Trump will speak at the UN and his speech will lay out the successes of his first eight months. Every world leader heard that and was like, phew, at least we'll be out of here fast. All right. That won't. When Trump talks, you don't know whether the headphones people are wearing are translating Trump or playing a podcast. You don't know. Speaking of Trump, everyone's talking about his post over the weekend where he called on his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to prosecute his political opponents. Now, I know that sounds highly illegal. Trump is looking for donations to his White House ballroom project, and he's promising donors that they'll have their names written inside the walls. Mexico is like, here he is talking about walls again.

[A]

Come on, buddy, just build it or.

[B]

Whatever you're gonna do. Now he's looking for corporate donations also no big deal. But it's now called the Fuego Takis White House.

[A]

And listen to this.

[B]

Trump just said that billionaires Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and the Murdochs will be involved in the deal for TikTok. Rupert Murdoch is 94 years old. Every time he exhales, it looks like he's doing the cinnamon challenge. Well, get this. Trump just announced that the highly skilled workers hoping to work in America will now have to pay $100,000 fee to receive a visa. Before Trump's announcement, The fee was $2,000. Here to explain, this is Trump immigration official Henry Collins. Welcome to the show, Henry.

[C]

Oh, it's great to be here, Jimmy.

[B]

Thank you. So, Henry, can you explain why President Trump is doing the massive price hike.

[C]

Of course. With a $2,000 regular visa, workers were just receiving the ability to work in America. It's like, big deal, right?

[B]

No. Isn't that exactly what they want? Probably.

[C]

But the $100,000 tier, known as the Super Visa, includes so many exciting additional perks.

[B]

Like what?

[C]

Workers will now receive a hat signed by President Trump or one of his assistants.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

A personalized bumper sticker that reads official super Visa holder, and a jump the line pass for all participating cheesecake factories.

[A]

How great is that?

[B]

I think they just prefer paying $2,000. I feel like you're trying to discourage people from coming to America.

[D]

Okay, okay.

[C]

Here's what I'm gonna do for you, Jim. I'm putting you down for our $150,000 super plus visa.

[B]

Yeah, but no, I don't.

[C]

You will get exclusive access to the hottest states. I'm talking Iowa, North Dakota, and you better Believe Wyoming. Plus 20% off all 20 cheesecake at participating Cheesecake Factory locations.

[A]

You are welcome.

[B]

No, no. I am an American citizen already. I don't need this.

[C]

Ah, you should have said that, Jimbo. If you're already an American citizen, you unlock our $200,000 ultra visa. These perks are insane. Your name will be listed in our soon to be released new declaration of Independence. You get to rename the state of California, and you'll get a 2 for 1 coupon at all participating Cheesecake Factory.

[A]

No one wants that.

[C]

No one wants that. Have you tried the avocado egg rolls?

[B]

Yes, they are delicious, but that's not the point. People just want an affordable visa.

[C]

I hear you loud and clear. I'll drop it down to $175,000.

[B]

All right, we have to move on to Trump immigration official.

[A]

Everybody, don't miss this deal. Jim, I got a little wiggle room if you're Nordic.

[B]

Thank you very much.

[A]

You Nordic?

[B]

Well, hey, this is exciting. Apparently, the NFL has about doing the 2026 Super bowl halftime show. Good news is she's considering it. The bad news is she wants to debut a new song that disses drink. Wow, the odds of that happen, you guys. Excitement around Taylor Swift's new album. The life of a showgirl is growing every day. SiriusXM just started a countdown clock to her new album on Taylor's channel, and I. Oh, I guess we have a countdown clock, too. That's great. That's exciting. But not only that, it was just announced that she's holding a release party event in AMC movie theaters. Yeah. Oh, I didn't realize we put in a big graphic for that, too. All right, Anyway, it's gonna be shown in 540 theaters. It's gonna be 89 minutes long, and it's gonna be the premiere of the music video for the Fate of Ophelia. Hey, I think. I think we're set on all these graphics. We don't need all these graphics, all right? It's also going to feature lyric videos, personal reflections, and fans are encouraged to sing and dance. Apparently, they've already sold $20 million worth of tickets. We don't need any more graphics, okay?

[A]

Come on.

[B]

There's too many graphics. No one can see me.

[A]

It's a bunch of things about Taylor Swift. What? You're saying that people don't.

[B]

People care more about Taylor Swift updates than me.

[A]

That's hurtful.

[B]

Me, too. Hey, do you want to go see the Taylor Swift movie when it comes out? Yeah. I hate it. Hey, I just read that Michelob Ultra just dethroned Modelo to become America's top selling beer brand. Beer drinker says it's because of the mellow taste and the fact that you need to drink 11 of them to feel anything. Today Corona was like, just cross your fingers that there's no pandemic caused by the Mykilov virus. Well, get this. I saw that Starbucks is adding apple flavored drinks back to their fall menu. Check out this new ad they released.

[E]

The new Apple Crisp Espresso is here to say, I'm all about fall. So come on in for a taste of the season at Starbucks.

[B]

That's cool. I'm sorry, I'm just hearing Starbucks just released a second ad. Oh, yeah? Watch this.

[F]

The pumpkin spice latte is here to say. Who the hell is she? There's only one fruity fall flavor in town, and it's moi. You step to the pumpkin, you best not miss Catch me outside.

[B]

How about that? I can't believe this. Wait, Starburst just released the third app. Yeah, here it is.

[E]

The Apple Crisp espresso is here to say. Okay, Boomer, I think it's time for bed. You're a Beanie baby, and I'm a Labubu.

[B]

Pumpkin's out.

[F]

Apples in period.

[B]

Okay, all right, that's good. Hang on, it's. Sorry, are you sure? This can't be true. Starbucks just put out a fourth app.

[A]

What?

[B]

Just now?

[A]

Just now.

[B]

Take a look.

[F]

Well, the pumpkin spice latte's here to say you're lucky an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Cause after I'm done with you, you'll be getting stitched up on the pit, bitch.

[A]

What?

[B]

Oh, no. I'm just hearing that Dunkin just released.

[A]

Just now.

[B]

Dunkin just released their own ad. Watch this.

[F]

Lay off, you jack wad. Fist fighting in a coffee shop is our thing. Anyway. Try a new fall drink. The Jack Daniels Latte Blues.

[B]

I'd try that with running all those apps. Well, some more business news. The CEO of T Mobile is stepping down after five years in the role. He actually stepped down five years ago, but the message is just now coming through. Do you guys hear about the big Toyota recall? It's not good. Watch this.

[G]

About 600,000 Toyota and Lexus models have been recalled because of issues with the vehicle's display panel.

[B]

Wait, what?

[E]

I meant I drive a Lexus.

[B]

Oh, sorry about that tree.

[E]

It's okay. At least I still have my trusty Hyundai.

[B]

Oh.

[D]

Oh.

[E]

What?

[B]

Roll the clip. Hyundai is recalling more than half a million SUVs over a serious seatbelt issue. Hyundai says the seat belt buckles may fail to latch.

[A]

What?

[E]

They fail to latch.

[B]

Yeah, that's not ideal.

[E]

Man, how am I supposed to get to the grocery store? I'm supposed to pick up my wife's favorite brand of Mac and cheese.

[B]

Oh, yeah? What brand is that?

[D]

Goodles.

[B]

Of course.

[E]

She likes the flavor vegan is Believin because it doesn't contain milk.

[B]

Goodles is recalling five shipments of the flavor vegan is Believin' because it may contain milk.

[A]

You gotta be kidding me.

[B]

I'm so sorry, Tarek.

[E]

It's fine. It's fine. I'll make it up to her somehow.

[B]

Oh, really? How's that? Easily.

[E]

I'll buy her some of Costco's store brand Prosecco. And she likes Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdo. The. That is a long word. Excuse me, I. Cannot the Valdo be a DNA? You know it's sold in several states.

[B]

Costco is recalling store brand Prosecco. The recall effects Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdo. That is a long word. Excuse me, I cannot. Valdo B Dene sold in several states.

[A]

Oh, come on.

[B]

That is terrible news.

[E]

Wait, wait. I know what I can do. I'll win her over by finally buying a new ladder and cleaning out our gutters.

[B]

Oh, that's a good idea. What kind of ladder is it?

[E]

Thanks for asking. I'd like a wern. Wer. Can I say this? Werner. I wanna say Warner, but it's Werner Multimax Pro Ladder and they're sold at Home Depot.

[G]

A recall alert. Now warn weren't. Can I say this Werner. I want to say Warner, but it's Werner. They're issuing an alert for multi max pro ladders, and they're sold at Home Depot.

[E]

I give up.

[B]

There you go. That's probably the best.

[A]

Reach out, everybody.

[B]

I want to say. I want to say Warner.

[E]

Just say it.

[B]

I saw that Crocs restocked their shoes for dogs after quickly selling out. Oh, can we see them?

[D]

Oh.

[B]

That dog is like, please put a cone on me so I can't see this. Meanwhile, every cat who saw that picked up a knife and was like, I dare you. And finally, a nun in Ohio just celebrated her 105th birthday with a round of golf. And the real heroes are the foursome who got stuck playing behind her. We have a great show.

[A]

Give it up for the Rich dinner wedding. Welcome to the show, everybody.

[B]

Oh, really quickly, I just wanted to let everyone know I have a new show coming out on NBC next week. It's called On Brand. Thank you. There's me, my co Host there, our CMO, that's Bozema St. John. It's a business reality competition show. So it's kind of like Shark Tank meets the Apprentice meets Project Runway all mixed into one. Yeah, it's a fun show. I came up with it, like, two years ago, and NBC didn't want it. I know it was coming up with ideas that are good, but ideas that aren't good as well. And so I had this idea. I go, this is it. This is gonna be great. And then they were like, no, we don't like it. What was the other idea I just came up with the other day that I thought was good? Oh, yeah, the sled shot. Yeah, this is a. This sled shot is if you're a kid and it's the wintertime and the holidays, and you go to, like, the top of the hill. Right. Killer hill. You're up there with no friends and your mom and dad aren't there. How do you get down the hill? So you put in these stakes in the ground with a rubber band, and then you zip back and then it just. Sled shot. Yeah. Again, some ideas aren't good. Some ideas are good. Oh, she said no to that one. Yeah. Oh, I have another idea, too. You want for this one? I'd love to. This one is, you know, garden gnomes. Sure. Everybody does garden Nonas. So it's tiny grandmas. That's correct. That you put into your garden. That's correct. Yeah. You put a bunch of little grandmas in your garden, they hold out like lasagnas Stuff like that. Yeah, cookies or whatever. Garden nonnas. All right, that one. Anyway, this is a real show and it premieres on brand Tuesday after the Voice. Tuesdays and Fridays. I'll talk more about it tomorrow. Guys, I'm very excited about this. We have a great show for you tonight. He is a two time Oscar winning actor and Hollywood legend. Man, I love this guy. This performance is unbelievable. Next level. He's the best. The movie is called One Battle after another. It's in theaters and IMAX this Friday.

[A]

Sean Penn is here tonight. Bang.

[G]

Come on.

[B]

Oh, another one of my favorites. He stars in the show Brilliant Minds which airs Mondays at 10pm on NBC and the next day on Peacock. Zachary Quinto is joining us. This guy is what I'm talking about. He's a New York Times best selling author whose latest book my is our 2025 Fallon Book Club pick.

[A]

Fredrik Backman is here tonight.

[B]

Book is great.

[A]

Tonight's show where the champions go. Stick around. We're talking to Sean Penn when we come back.

[E]

Clap your hands.

[A]

Ain'T it? Yeah. Our first guest is a two time.

[B]

Oscar winning actor and a very talented writer and director. His new movie one Battle after another is in theaters and IMAX this Friday. Please welcome Sean Penn.

[A]

That's exactly right.

[B]

Standing. Oh, they love you. We love you, Sean Penn. Welcome to the show, pal. Do you like coming back to New York City? Do you remember you moved here when you first started your acting career, didn't you?

[D]

Yeah. I don't know if this is true of everyone. I suspect for most walking out here is disorienting.

[B]

Okay.

[D]

And you know that viral video, the kid is just a small kid and he's just gone. And he'd gotten to the dentist and had that happy gas.

[B]

Yes, of course. Yeah.

[D]

Is it always gonna be like this? And in particular, the reason I bring this up. Is that a guillotine?

[B]

No, we don't have a guillotine.

[D]

I found. I want to get this over with. It'll be fast.

[B]

No, take your time.

[D]

But I. I found this in the dressing room and I just thought I'd get it out of the way because, you know, it's got brevity. I suppose it was to the fcc it was just this.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Thank you.

[H]

I left that in there.

[B]

Or a friend of mine did. Yeah.

[D]

Lastly, just. I know it's been said but it bears repeating. And since I'm here, I feel obligated. That documentary, Summer of Soul, for anybody who hasn't seen it is a effing Masterpiece.

[B]

Yeah. That is quest. Hey, man.

[D]

Okay, I'm done with my opinion.

[B]

Have you seen any of my films or anything? Have you seen any of my.

[D]

I'm a big fan of you.

[B]

I am.

[D]

I don't know how you muster this stuff every night. It's incredible.

[B]

No, you're the best. But is it odd walking out? Does it feel odd? Because I know you're. You're one of the best actors, but can't you just walk out and act like this is a scene?

[D]

I don't know if it was the two tabs of acid.

[B]

Never mind. It's kicking in. Sean, there's a lot of information on the Internet about everybody. A lot of it is wrong, but some of it is true. And I just thought it'd be kind of fun if maybe I ran through a couple of Sean Penn rumors. And you can tell me, you can tell me which ones are true, which ones are false. If you don't mind. How about this one? You once sparred with Bob Dylan more than once.

[H]

Tell me about this.

[B]

Where was it?

[D]

Bob Dylan, turns out, is a student of boxing. And I had a 16 foot punching ring at my house. And I was friendly with his son. And at some point Jesse, his son, said to me, my dad would like to spar. And he would, sorry, Bob, if I'm talking out of school, but he would show up every morning. That went on for about a month, I think about seven, eight o' clock in the morning with his hoodie on and about six bull mastiffs coming out of a VW van. And there wasn't a lot of conversation. It was kind of like, good, good. And we'd spar.

[B]

Wow. I would pay anything to watch Sean Penn and Bob Dylan spar. It's fascinating. I thought you were gonna say that's not true. All right, at one point. How about this? At one point you wanted to be a stand up comedian.

[D]

No, at one point I wanted to challenge myself to try the terror of stand up. And I did. And it was a terror and it damaged the people in the audience.

[B]

No, I did not. That's not true. But you're funny, you know, funny.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

Okay, all right. Not for you. All right, how about this one? You heard Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska album before any other human being on the planet.

[D]

Okay. What's true is that I heard it very early on because I was engaged to be married to a wonderful, beautiful young woman who happened to be his little sister, Pam. And so I wasn't somebody who. I wasn't like a Concert goer. Even today I go. But it's a lot of people and I never was. Never not to do with public personality or something.

[B]

Just not your thing with that.

[D]

But, you know. But I heard a lot about him, but I didn't really know a lot. And then I got that he had sent her what I suppose was a demo. And I heard that record and it was sort of life changing. And it led to the first movie I directed. Eight years later is one of the songs on it was the, you know, full and total. The experience I had listening to the song Highway Patrolman on that record was what became a movie called the Indian Runner that I made.

[B]

Fantastic. Absolutely. Give it up. Yeah, it's great. Isn't it wild that you put that much time into a thing and a lot of people just see the movie.

[D]

Oh, that's cool.

[B]

And you know what? That took me eight years to write and think of and figure out and direct and pull it together and get money for it. It's a lot of work.

[D]

Yeah. And if. If it gets more reaction than that, it's great. But at the same time, there was a thing Orson Welles said, I used to go to the Reader's Guide of Periodical Literature. That's something, you know, look it up if you're young. But that was our Internet. Right. And I look in theater magazines and there's a great quote from Orson Welles about theater, about the live theater. And he said, acting in theater is like carving in snow. And so sometimes you have a movie that, if you're lucky enough, that sort of lasts in the public imagination. And a lot of times, especially now, with the amount of content and so on, it's hard for something to be, let's say, indelible. But I think that the magic you're looking for is that moment you get the carbon snow. And so that's okay, too.

[B]

Yeah, you take them both. I mean, let's segue into one battle after another. This is some good carving right here. But let me tell you something. Wow. You carved the snow. You carved some snow in this one.

[I]

But this is something.

[B]

I'm on the edge of my seat the whole time, and I didn't. The soundtrack is awesome as well, by the way. Johnny Greenwood, who was from Radiohead, did the soundtrack. Paul Thomas Anderson directed this. You are frightening. You are funny. Sometimes you are scary. You're confident. You're a confident guy. I don't understand. How do you even come up with this character? The way you walk, the way your mouth moves. It's like. It's I've never seen anything like it. It's not you. It's not you at all. Do you, do you, did you research, was it based on anyone?

[D]

You know, this is only going to come out as an aspiration because I somehow in a public forum never able to recognize myself in the humility I pursue. Yeah. This feels like, you know, when you're listening to an interview with let's say a member of the military who's, let's say a special operator, done something extraordinary and I'm not talking forget for the moment will shelve the context of what policy it was serving.

[B]

Yep.

[D]

And that person will, someone will try to acknowledge that person for it. And when they say I was doing my job, you get moved because they mean it. And this was one of those scripts and you said Paul Thomas Anderson.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Everything in that movie, everything, his words and direction and the music he chose, the other actors he chose made us do what we did, gave us that like a gift.

[A]

Wow.

[D]

And we all felt that at once. And you know, it's a real, it's, it's rare because a lot of times you have to, you know, try to improve things and sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. But here it was like you get delivered a piece of music and you just gotta find its rhythm and hum along with it.

[B]

I don't know, how do we set up the film or should we set it up?

[D]

You know, I read that script and I've been militant about this since the first time I read it was, it was like that's the first time I got to see the movie. And I have, I just won't talk about like the, the movie because I'd be stealing the surprise that I got.

[B]

Yeah, I agree. I agree. There's so many surprises and so many things that I don't. Yeah, I totally agree. Oh my God. We're twinsies.

[A]

Sean Penn, everybody. One Battle after another hits theaters and IMAX this Friday. We'll be right back with Zachary Quinto. Stick around.

[E]

The rap special sound rolls long enough to be considered a gown thought Grimshaw.

[A]

Classic. Our next guest is an Emmy nominated.

[B]

Actor whose hit show Brilliant Minds airs Mondays at 10pm on NBC and the next day on Peacock. Please welcome Zachary Quinto.

[A]

Welcome back to the show.

[B]

You're one of my favorites since last time you've been on the show. You went to Broadway.

[H]

I did do a play on Broadway. Yeah. Last year called Cult of Love.

[B]

Yeah. And I have a, I have a still of that is you and Shailene Woodley. And you're playing the banjo.

[H]

Played my banjo.

[B]

You played a little bit on our show once.

[H]

I did, yeah. I've never really played for an audience and performed like I had to every night in that show. And it really tested me. It was a challenge, but I had such a good time. It was so much fun.

[B]

Yeah, I know. We were talking to Shailene. I think that George Clooney came to see the show, and she was excited about that. And I go, do you like to know if a celebrity is coming? I actually.

[H]

There's something kind of cool about knowing that, you know, Jimmy's here to see you. I think there's. I don't. It doesn't throw me. In other words.

[B]

Yeah. But if you see my big face in the crowd, like, on your phone. Yeah, I wouldn't do that. Oh, I never would be on my phone. But no, if I'm just even. I get too excited and I cheer for people. Yeah.

[H]

No, I.

[B]

And I feel like you're like my son or something. I'm like, who gets that?

[A]

Zachary.

[H]

That's what you were really good with.

[A]

Zachary. Yes.

[H]

That's what you really want.

[B]

I'm crying. I don't really mind.

[H]

I try not to pay attention to it so much, but I'm a big no reviews person. When I was younger, I used to read reviews because for some reason I cared, but now I don't really care. I really do adopt that philosophy that what other people think of me is none of my business. And so with reviews, I love that.

[B]

I love that.

[H]

It does me no good, you know?

[B]

And so.

[H]

But the trouble is, people will be.

[B]

Like, oh, I read.

[H]

Oh, congratulations on the amazing reviews. Like, no, no, I don't want to know.

[B]

I don't want to know even the good stuff.

[H]

Hi. Are you okay? Then you're like, what?

[B]

They're like, I'd rather review their review.

[H]

Or if the show is a really successful show, then they'll plaster the front of the theater with the reviews. They'll pull quotes and they'll put them on the front of the theater. So, like, if you're in a show that you know is good and you don't want to read their views, you have to kind of like, go to work like this. You know, the art of doing theater and, like, seeing theater and being a part of the theater community is such a. I feel so grateful to be.

[B]

You've done every medium. I mean, you've done that. You've done, obviously, Star Trek. We loved you as fuck. And I always ask, is there any rumor or truth that.

[H]

There's literally always a rumor. There's always like, oh, they're gonna do another movie. I don't know. I hope so. I was just emailing JJ about something. I was like, dude, what's going on? It's been 10 years since the last movie came out.

[B]

I think we're ready.

[H]

I think we're ready.

[B]

I'm ready. I think we're ready.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I would love to do it.

[H]

I think all of us would love another go at it. You know, it's one of those things that now we've had time away from it, and I think to come back and have that experience with such a great cast. Yeah, it's a great group of people.

[B]

Let's talk about speaking of great cast, Brilliant minds. It's back. Season two premiered earlier tonight on NBC. It's available tomorrow on Peacock. Or I guess right now, if you go to Peacock. Type in brilliant minds. You'll see it right now. How do we set up what's going on this season?

[H]

Well, season one ended with a lot of questions, so we start by answering some of those, but also throwing in a whole bunch of new questions. So we meet my character. I play a character called Dr. Oliver Wolf. We meet him in a really unusual place. He's trying to escape from a mental institution, and he's not the doctor, but he's the patient. So we're trying to figure out how he gets there. That's six months in the future, and we have a whole bunch of new doctors and cast members, and it's really exciting to be back for a second season.

[B]

You're fantastic in it.

[H]

We love it. It's a great group of people. We love going to work. It's a really good place to show up every day. And I feel really. I really fortunate. It's really cool.

[B]

People love it. You know, I wish I had your number because I would text you. I watched last season. I was like, do you actually know half of these medical lingos that you're saying?

[H]

They throw a lot of stuff at us. They do give me the medications. I had one the other day. I had to talk about an anticonvulsant called levetiracetam. And I had to say it, you know, And I think the line was, I started him on levetiracetam, but I thought you'd want to meet him because it might be a once in a lifetime case. But I could not. I kept saying, I started him on Levitarecidum, but I thought you'd want to meet him.

[A]

I could not stop doing what I.

[B]

Would do five times.

[H]

No, no, no.

[B]

Levittarasalam. Levittoracell. Somebody wanted to wanna meet him. So I really fell into the rhyme and I was like, you crush it, though. Every time. It's so impressive.

[H]

It's a fun challenge, though.

[A]

Zachary Quinto, season two of Brilliant Minds airs Mondays at 10pm on NB on Peacock. More Tonight show after the break. Stick around, Brilliant Minds. Check it out. Our next guest is a talented writer.

[B]

Who has written 18 New York Times bestsellers and sold over 20 million books. Wow. His latest book, My Friends, has been on the bestseller list for 19 weeks. And it is our 2025 Fallon Book Club pick. Everyone, please welcome Fredrik Bachman.

[A]

All right, come on. Welcome, welcome.

[B]

Welco. It is so nice to meet you. I saw you backstage, but I'm very excited that this is your first time on a talk show and first ever TV appearance. I'm lucky. How are you feeling?

[I]

I imagine this is what it feels like to have a heart attack.

[B]

I know the beginning of the heart attack.

[I]

I imagine this is what it's like. It's a pretty horrible experience, no?

[B]

And this is your 8 8th bestseller, by the way. This is amazing, what you do. This is an amazing piece of work. I read this. I didn't want it to end. I loved it so much. I read it on Kindle, which I don't know if you've ever tried doing that, but I've read it on a Kindle because I can highlight things on the Kindle and then it saves it in the files. And these are all the things that I highlighted from your book that I was like. I mean, they're genius lines. I'm like, but.

[I]

My mom does this too. But it's with notes like, this is poor grammar. Or this is.

[B]

I'm kind of like that. But I just think the ones that make me laugh. Or even like her husband, an old man with a watch the size of a grown turtle and pants so tight his butt looks like it has its own butt. That made me laugh. I like you think you're gonna be young forever, but suddenly you reach an age where. Where getting up from a chair can't be taken for granted. It requires planning. That's really funny.

[A]

Just so many books.

[B]

I love this book so much. And I also want to say you write so well for young people. You write as young people. How do you write? I met your beautiful kids backstage. Are they the inspiration for writing for those kids at that age?

[I]

Yeah. They were very well behaved today, right?

[B]

They were. They were really great.

[I]

They were very impressed that I was coming here. I was cool for a minute because I was gonna do this for a minute. Then they remembered who I really was. But it's. I was struggling with. There are two sets of teenagers. There's the teenagers. There are two stories. One that takes place 25 years ago, one that takes place now. The teenagers 25 years ago. I knew them because I grew up around them. I knew how they talked, I knew who they were. But then there's an 18 year old now. So I looked for the voice. I looked for her, the 18 year old, her voice, her way of delivering dialogue. And then I had, you know, I made the terrible mistake of Talking to my 12 year old daughter about skinny jeans because I saw on him, I saw on the Internet that young people were talking about skinny jeans.

[E]

Young people, not evil.

[I]

When I was young, skinny jeans were like. They were skinny jeans. You had to cut them open to get out of them. But now what they call skinny jeans now, that's just pants. And I. So I made a mistake. I asked my daughter, like, I pointed to my jeans and I was like, are these skinny jeans? And she looked at her mother the way Chachita, like, why is it speaking? And her mother tried to help, you know, bless her heart. And she. So she leaned over. I think dad is just trying to figure out if you're embarrassed by him when you go out in the public. And I'm like, not at all what I asked. Not close. Just wanted to know about the pants.

[B]

I just wanted actually to.

[I]

I just wanted to know about the pants. And then my daughter turned around to her mother and went, well, I'm embarrassed about other things if he wants a list. And I was like, that's the voice.

[B]

That's the voice. I got the voice. If he wants a list, I can give to him.

[I]

That's how I found the voice.

[B]

It's called My Friends. There's so much joy and laughter and great lines in this. And. Oh, and this is a big deal. This is the found book club. We give. We give everyone a pin.

[I]

Look at that.

[B]

Yeah, Please don't cry. Your kids are watching. But this is. This is a pin. Give it to you here.

[D]

This is.

[B]

Can we get that there? Look at that. That's a real. That's our. Not like you're ever gonna wear this, but maybe you'll wear it one day with your skin.

[I]

I'm wearing it all the time.

[B]

With your skinny jeans. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[I]

I'm gonna wear it at home in front of my kids. Know that I'm a big deal.

[B]

Yes, you are a big deal. Your dad is so cool, by the way. He's the best. Thank you for being on.

[A]

Come back. Frederick Bachman, everyone. My friends is available everywhere. Books are sold. Stick around. Everybody by the name of your.

[E]

Philly, y'.

[A]

All.

[E]

Philly ain't stopping the boy.

[A]

My thanks to Sean Penn, Zachary Quinto, Fre Bachman and the Roots right there from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Good night, everybody.

[B]

Thanks for listening to the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon.

[C]

Don't forget to subscribe to get the.

[E]

Latest episodes weekday mornings, wherever you get.

[B]

Your podcasts, watch the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon.

[E]

Weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock.