Trump Fires Pam Bondi | Jack Black, Olivia Munn, Jaafar Jackson, Modi | Thursday, April 2

Summary

Podcast Summary

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Episode: Trump Fires Pam Bondi | Jack Black, Olivia Munn, Jaafar Jackson, Modi
Release Date: April 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

This energetic episode of The Tonight Show blends topical political humor, celebrity interviews, stand-up, and lighthearted family moments. Jimmy Fallon leads with a comedic monologue poking fun at recent political events—namely, President Trump firing Pam Bondi and a teleprompter-dependent primetime address. The show features engaging and witty interviews with guests Jack Black (discussing his SNL hosting gig and Super Mario Galaxy movie), actress Olivia Munn (on her AppleTV+ series and family life), newcomer Jaafar Jackson (portraying his uncle Michael Jackson in an upcoming biopic), and ends with a hilarious stand-up set by comedian Modi.

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Key Segments and Highlights

Monologue & Political Satire

Timestamps: 01:13–05:10

• Trump’s Firing Spree:
  • Fallon riffs on President Trump firing Attorney General Pam Bondi, connecting it to previous firings (Kristi Noem) with comedic twists involving notorious files and unlikely targets.
  • Notable joke on firing spree:

    “The hardest thing about getting fired by Trump is pretending to be sad when he tells you.” — Jimmy Fallon [01:20]

  • A Trump impersonator jokes about “flipping all the charts upside down” to improve poll numbers and approval.
• Trump’s Speech & Teleprompter:
  • Fallon mocks Trump’s reliance on the teleprompter, joking about the generic platitudes in his primetime address.

    “You nailed a primetime address when everyone’s reaction is ‘You interrupted The Masked Singer for this?’” — Jimmy Fallon [02:33]

• NASA’s Moon Mission:
  • After celebrating Artemis II’s successful launch, Fallon lampoons a bathroom mishap aboard the rocket.

    “Suddenly it went from a billion-dollar rocket to a carnival cruise in space.” — Jimmy Fallon [04:22]

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Space Talk with Michael Rothby

Timestamps: 05:11–07:35

• Expert Interview:
  • Space flight expert Michael Rothby details the Artemis II launch and hypothesizes humorous obstacles like asteroids and (resisted by Rothby) aliens, in a playful back-and-forth with Jimmy and Jack Black.
  • Rothby insists:

    “No, it’s not that. Okay? We’re not doing aliens now.” — Michael Rothby [06:29]

• Playful Bit:
  • The segment devolves into the panel joking about adding aliens to NASA missions, frustrating the “expert.”

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News Quick Bites

Timestamps: 08:02–10:44

• Bed, Bath & Beyond / Hasbro Hack:
  • Fallon makes light of big retail and toy company news, segueing to a sketch featuring “Mr. Monopoly.”
• Mr. Monopoly Sketch:
  • Mr. Monopoly laments data breaches revealing his “Tinder handle” and embarrassing personal secrets.

    “They know my Tinder handle is Ustachetickler. They even know I’m in a throuple with Claire and Herman from Guess Who.” — Mr. Monopoly [09:10]

• Easter & Candy News:
  • Quippy gags about Hershey returning to real chocolate and how people eat Peeps.

    “A new survey found most people eat their Peeps head first. Jesus heard and was like, ‘Guys, I think we’re losing the plot here.’” — Jimmy Fallon [10:34]

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Fallon Family April Fool’s Tradition

Timestamps: 11:02–14:00

• Returning Bit:
  • Jimmy shares a story about his daughters pranking him with whipped cream pies each April Fool’s, playfully turning the tables on each other.

    “I was like, that’s bad. I’m gonna get you back. You know I will... She goes, 'Do you think I care?'” — Jimmy Fallon [12:08]

• Audience Laughs:
  • Ends with the sentiment of starting a fun, messy family tradition.

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Guest Segment: Jack Black

Timestamps: 14:06–23:07

• Jack Black’s SNL Milestone:
  • Discusses hosting SNL with Jack White and joining the Five-Timers Club.

    “It doesn’t matter how many times you do SNL—it doesn’t lose its magic or its terrifying nature.” — Jack Black [16:29]

  • Recalls first finding out about sharing the episode with Jack White and invents the nickname “Jack Zebra.”

    “I’d rather it was like Jack Silva or something. Like, Jack Zebra.” — Jack Black [18:59]

• Super Mario Galaxy Movie:
  • Black discusses returning as Bowser, the character’s arc, and the viral success of the “Peaches” song:

    “I was really stoked that it went viral, as the kids say. ... It was a sweet little jam that just sort of came up organically.” — Jack Black [19:36]

  • Reflects on not getting an Oscar nomination, sharing good-natured jealousy toward Ryan Gosling:

    “And then not only did I not get my nomination, but my arch enemy, the Goss, Ryan Gosling, did get a nomination. And I was like, son of a biscuit. This Gosling. Always snacking on my potatoes.” — Jack Black [21:13]

• Behind-the-Scenes Antics:
  • Shares stories of wardrobe mishaps, collaborating with Jack White, and singing in Tokyo.

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Guest Segment: Olivia Munn

Timestamps: 23:36–34:01

• Family and Parenting:
  • Updates on her kids (Malcolm and Mei Mae), with fun anecdotes about Malcolm starting jiu jitsu and her accidental “Tiger Mom” moment:

    “Respect the dojo!” — Olivia Munn [25:17]

• Family Humor:
  • Shares family jokes—her son’s “butt quacks” joke and comedian-husband John Mulaney’s understated comedic approval:

    “John will do this. I might say something and he goes, ‘That’s funny.’” — Olivia Munn [27:12]

• Early Acting Struggles:
  • Tells a heartfelt and funny story of breaking into the business as a Gilmore Girls extra, wearing a red scarf for visibility, and bonding over Hollywood advice.
• ‘Europe Friends and Neighbors’:
  • Previews the new season of her Apple TV+ show, describes cast chemistry, and shares a full-circle story about James Marsden.

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Guest Segment: Jafar Jackson

Timestamps: 34:18–40:26

• Portraying Michael Jackson:
  • Jafar Jackson discusses playing his uncle in the upcoming “Michael” biopic, his surprising casting journey, and the emotional experience of transforming into Michael.

    “Honestly, I didn’t think of myself. I was like, ‘Who are they gonna get to play Michael?’” — Jafar Jackson [35:33]

  • Describes the pressure of learning dance moves, moonwalking, and recreating iconic performances:

    “We broke down frame by frame the Billie Jean performance from Motown 25.” — Jafar Jackson [39:01]

  • Shares how filming Thriller in the original location under a full moon felt magical.

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Stand-Up Performance: Modi

Timestamps: 41:09–46:06

• Return to America:
  • Modi reflects on performing in Europe (“There is zero effort in speaking English”—[41:09]) and the quirks of language abroad.
• Marriage and New York Life:
  • Candid, comedic take on being gay, misconceptions, and neighborly gossip.

    “People have asked, ‘Is Modi gay?’ I don’t know, but his husband is.” — Modi [42:59]

• Generational Humor:
  • Jokes about technology, generational gaps, the practicality of luxury watches, and life with his millennial husband.

    “So I look at my wrist, I see a gold Rolex, I know I’m doing good. And I also know what time it is.” — Modi [45:13]

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Notable Quotes

• Jimmy Fallon, on Trump’s firing spree:

  “The hardest thing about getting fired by Trump is pretending to be sad when he tells you.” [01:20]

• Mr. Monopoly (on his hack):

  “They know my Tinder handle is Ustachetickler. ... They have all my nudes where I’m wearing nothing but a strategically placed top hat.” [09:10]

• Jack Black (on Bowser’s Oscar snub):

  “And then not only did I not get my nomination, but my arch enemy, the Goss, Ryan Gosling, did get a nomination. ... Always snacking on my potatoes.” [21:13]

• Olivia Munn (on parenting):

  “Respect the dojo!” [25:17]
  “My first sensei, Master Yoon, he said things like that. Respect the dojo.” [25:45]

• Jafar Jackson (on channeling Michael Jackson):

  “Just that process of seeing me slowly transform into Michael, it was emotional. ... My first reaction was ... I was doing the Bad tour, the Bad performance.” [37:26]

• Modi (on watches):

  “So I look at my wrist, I see a gold Rolex, I know I’m doing good. And I also know what time it is.” [45:13]

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Segment Guide – Quick Reference

| Segment/Guest | Timestamps | Highlight(s) | |-------------------------|-------------------|--------------| | Monologue & News | 01:13–05:10 | Political satire, Trump jokes, NASA humor | | Michael Rothby (Space)| 05:11–07:35 | Artemis II, space mishaps, playful banter | | Mr. Monopoly Sketch | 08:39–10:08 | Hasbro hack, Monopoly secrets | | Fallon Family Bit | 11:02–14:00 | April Fool’s pranking tradition | | Jack Black Interview | 14:06–23:07 | SNL, Super Mario Galaxy, “Peaches” song, Oscar talk | | Olivia Munn Interview | 23:36–34:01 | Parenting, humor, career stories | | Jafar Jackson | 34:18–40:26 | Michael Jackson biopic journey | | Modi Stand-Up | 41:09–46:06 | Marriage, generational differences, NY living |

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Memorable Moments

• Jack Black’s made-up SNL musical duo nicknames (“Jack Zebra”) and his faux-feud with Ryan Gosling.
• Olivia Munn’s “Respect the dojo!” parenting slip, now a family catchphrase.
• Jafar Jackson describing the emotional, surreal moment donning Michael Jackson’s makeup for the first time.
• Modi’s wisecrack about knowing you’re doing well in life because your watch is a Rolex and “it tells the time.”

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Closing Thoughts

This episode is packed with high-energy comedy, genuine celebrity camaraderie, and feel-good family and career stories. Fallon’s monologue mixes current events with absurdist humor, while the guests provide lots of warmth, laughs, and behind-the-scenes insights. Modi closes the show with sharp observational comedy about language, marriage, and generational divides, providing a memorable finale.

For more laughter and celebrity moments, tune in to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, airing weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Transcript

[Jimmy Fallon]

From Studio 6B in rock and Hummer center in the heart of New York City, it's the Tonight Show. Starring Jimmy Fallon. Tonight joins Jimmy and his guest, Jeff Black, Olivia Mont, Jafar Jackson, comedian Moni. And featuring the legendary Ruth 2277. And now, here he is.

[Jafar Jackson]

Jimmy,

[Jimmy Fallon]

Come on. That's what I'm talking about.

[Mr. Monopoly]

I love you.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Enjoy yourself. Welcome, everybody. Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Tonight Show. You're here for Tonight Show.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

We have a big show for you tonight. Jack Black is here tonight.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Jack Black.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Before we get to the show, let's get to some news. First, everybody's talking about this. Today, President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi. The hardest thing about getting fired by Trump is pretending to be sad when he tells you. You know, of course, being fired by Trump is never fun. Kristi Noem was like, true, but things can definitely get worse. So, meanwhile, when Trump realized he fired the woman with access to all the Epstein files, he was like, oh, crap.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Uh,

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Patton, you're not fired.

[Trump Impersonator/Voice]

You're re.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Apparently, Trump was also upset that Bondi didn't go after his enemies. Oh, Bondi was like, so you want me to arrest NATO, Bruce Springsteen, and the ice cream machine at McDonald's? He's like, it never works.

[Trump Impersonator/Voice]

It never works.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yep, Trump's on a bit of a firing spree. First Kristi Noem, then Pam Bondi. Ironically, the only staffer who has immunity is RFK Jr weird. Interesting, right?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Think about it.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Some more news from Washington. Last night, in a primetime address, Trump spoke for 19 minutes about the war and didn't have anything new to say. You know, you nailed the primetime address when everyone's reaction is you interrupted the masked singer for this. Yep, Trump didn't have much to say. It's like when your iPhone has an important update, and then it just adds two new emojis. Yeah, well, during Trump's big speech, he used a teleprompter, and it turns out he really relies on it. Check out what Trump's staff puts on the teleprompter to get him to say what they want. Watch this.

[Trump Teleprompter Voice]

Let me begin by congratulating the team at NASA and our brave astronauts. It will be traveling further than any manned rocket has ever flown and will very substantially pass the moon. Remember, because of our drill baby drill program, America has plenty of gas. We have so much gas, it would lead to decades of extortion, economic pain, and instability worse than we can ever imagine. I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America's military objectives. Shortly, very shortly.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

It's interesting what they say to get

[Jack Black]

him to say this out of nowhere.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Well, it's been a rough month for Trump, but he's not worried because he has a plan to turn things around. Take a look.

[Trump Impersonator/Voice]

President Trump here announcing a new plan to make my presidency the greatest in history. And it's simple. I'm going to flip all the charts upside down. That's right. The stock market skyrocketing, gas prices way down, measles gone. And my 33% approval rating now 67%. Round that up to 100. Is your flipper nipple yet? Is your flipping different? Yeah, that's the only idea I have left. Okay, bye.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, interesting. I thought that was nice when you released that. Well, this is exciting. NASA just successfully launched a historic 10 day mission around the moon. But this is true. Get this. Shortly after it launched, the toilet aboard the Artemis II rocket broke. Yeah. Suddenly it went from a billion dollar rocket to a carnival cruise in space. That's right. For six hours, the astronauts couldn't use the bathroom. The ground crew was like, do you have to make an Artemis I or an Artemis ii? Sorry to get personal. Luckily, Mario and Luigi were in the galaxy and fixed it right up. So we're all good. Yep. The Artemis II crew is on their way to the moon.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Now.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I wanted to learn more about this, so please welcome from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, space flight expert Michael Rothby, everybody.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Michael, hi. Thank you for being here.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Appreciate that.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Thank you.

[Michael Rothby]

I'm very happy to be here, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Thank you.

[Michael Rothby]

I just love any opportunity that I have to talk about space.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

So I see you have your model there. Tell us, how did the launch go?

[Michael Rothby]

Well, Jimmy, the launch, you know, it went without a hitch. They lifted off from Cape Canaveral and

[Jack Black]

just like, you know,

[Michael Rothby]

and then their trajectory took them, you know, into orbit,

[Jack Black]

like,

[Michael Rothby]

and now they're on their way, you know, all the way to the moon. Like,

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

awesome. Then what's going to happen?

[Michael Rothby]

Oh, well, I don't know. Maybe asteroids, you know, will fly by them and they'll have to like go on a different course. You know,

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

you be the asteroid.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Rothby]

And they'll have to like go to a different. They'll be like, uh, oh, malfunction.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

And then maybe there's an alien. It's like bleep blurp on tape.

[Michael Rothby]

No, no, no, no, no. It's not that there's not aliens.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I'm sorry. I just thought it'd be fun if there was an alien, like I come in peace.

[Michael Rothby]

No, it's not that. Okay? We're not doing aliens now.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Michael, you let Jimmy play with it.

[Jimmy Fallon]

He's not doing it right. He's trying to do aliens. There's not aliens in this.

[Jack Black]

Michael.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

You're at his show.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Give it to him. Oh, my God. Fine. Here.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I don't even want it anymore. I guess it's kind of cool, you know, like.

[Michael Rothby]

Gamma rays or something.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

And then the alien's like. The alien's like, take me to.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Not aliens. There's not aliens in this. I said it at the beginning. You can't aid.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Forget this, all right?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Michael Rothney, everybody. Michael Rothney, everybody. Don't say my. Don't say my name. Keep my name out of your mouth.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Well, switching gears, I read that Bed, Bath and Beyond is buying the container store for $150 million. Ooh. So now Bed, Bath and Beyond owns two empty stores. Have you guys seen this? The toy and game company Hasbro was just the victim of a cyber attack. Yeah, it's not good. Well, here to comment is the man behind Hasbro's biggest game, monopoly. Please welcome Mr. Monopoly. Welcome to the show, Mr. Monopoly. How are you doing?

[Mr. Monopoly]

Oh, this is terrible, Jimmy. Just terrible. This hack is the worst thing that's ever happened.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

What do you mean?

[Mr. Monopoly]

Well, the hackers. They know everything. They know all of my info. They know my home address, my emails, my Social Security number. But that's not all. They also know some more personal information.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, no. Like what?

[Mr. Monopoly]

Well, they know my Tinder handle is Ustachetickler. They know I've been caught at a moustache parlor on Baltic Avenue. They even know that I'm in a throuple with Claire and Herman from Guess who.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

You know, maybe you shouldn't be telling us this.

[Mr. Monopoly]

And that's not all, Jimmy. They know Candy Land is my favorite strip club. They have all my nudes where I'm wearing nothing but a strategically placed top hat. And do you know the Planters baby knot? Well, Mr. Peanut is not the father.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I am.

[Mr. Monopoly]

And if he found out, he'd kill me.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Ju.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Just stop talking.

[Mr. Monopoly]

But it gets worse. It gets so much worse, Jimmy.

[Modi]

No, no, no, no.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Please don't.

[Mr. Monopoly]

Don't say it.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Don't say it.

[Mr. Monopoly]

Yes, it's true.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no, no.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Trust me, you do not want to admit it.

[Mr. Monopoly]

Yeah, I'm in the Epstein file.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

All right, that's it. Get out of here.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Mr.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Monopoly, everybody. Thank you very much, Mr. Monopoly. Oh, my goodness.

[Jack Black]

I oh, my gosh.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

It's crazy, guys. Well, listen to this. Hershey announced that they will soon go back to using chocolate for their Reese's products. This raises way more questions than it answers. Everyone about to give their kid an Easter basket full of Reese's was, like, great timing.

[Trump Teleprompter Voice]

What?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

And finally, speaking of Easter, a new survey found that most people eat their peeps head first. Jesus heard and was like, guys, I think we're losing the plot here.

[Jimmy Fallon]

We have a great show. Give it up for the Roots. I got. Thanks, everybody.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

What a show we have for you tonight. Last night. Yesterday was April Fool's Day, right? Yep. So last year, April Fool's Day. This is true. I went home, and my kids were excited to see me. They go, dad, Dad's here. Dad's here. And my youngest, Franny, goes, dad, can you put on something that you don't care if it gets messy? And I go, yeah, okay. I just got home. I go, sure, sure, sure. So I put on a. I go, it's probably gonna put makeup on me. I don't know, Whatever. So I go, I don't know what's happening. So I go, yeah. And I come around the corner, and she hits me in the face with a whipped cream pie. Whipped cream goes everywhere. Goes all over the walls. Nothing on my shirt. Nothing. Just all over my face. I go, what are you doing? Why would you do that? And she goes, april Fools. No, no, that's not how April Fools works. That's not April Fools at all. So I go, that's bad. I go, I'm gon. I'm gonna get you back. You know I will. I'll think of something. And she goes, do you think I care?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Really?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Where are you getting sassy? Where are you learning that stuff from? I go, seriously, I'll do something. I'll put snakes in your bed or something, you know? She goes, I like snakes. Whatever. So I go. I get cleaned off. I go. And I was putting her to bed, and I gave her a kiss, said, all right, I love you. I turn the lights out. I go, good night. I love you. And I was leaving the room. She goes, dad. I go. She goes, I don't really like snakes. And I said, do you think I care? And check the door. Cause they have to learn eventually what real life is.300 snakes. Anyways, last night, finished the show. Great show. We had so much fun. I'm on my way home. I get a text. Because now they're texting, and they go, dad, when are you coming home? I go, Soon. I'll see you. She goes, okay, make sure you're wearing something. You don't care if it gets messy. And then a picture of her looking like evil. And I go, oh, gosh. So I go, all right. I already know I'm going to get pied or something's going to happen. So I went home, I put a T shirt on, and I stood in the shower and this happened.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Dad.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

So mad.

[Jafar Jackson]

Are you ready?

[Jimmy Fallon]

No.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

So mad. Just standing under your nose. She deserves it all.

[Jack Black]

It.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, my God.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Unbelievable. Good timing. Good timing. I also licked it, cuz. I also licked it.

[Jack Black]

Wow.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

And her sister was videoing the whole time. Yeah. So anyways, happy April Fool's Day to Winnie and Franny. You guys got me good. Started a new tradition. Come on back.

[Jack Black]

Apparently. You back there? Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Come on.

[Jack Black]

Sit back and learn.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Our first guest is a fantastic actor,

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

comedian, and a Grammy winner. He's also the voice of Bowser in the Super Mario Galaxy movie, which is in theaters now. And he's hosting SNL this weekend with musical guest Jack White. Everyone, please welcome Jack Black.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I need a God.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, my God.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, wow.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Sit back and relax. Jack Black is in the house.

[Jimmy Fallon]

In the house.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Jack, welcome back to the show. We always love having you here. You're back in the building.

[Jack Black]

I love to be here. You know, I gotta give one more shout out to the band the Roots. You guys.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, come on.

[Jimmy Fallon]

The Roots are on fire.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

They are unbelievable.

[Jack Black]

I always. You always get me moving. When I hear you playing my music. Coming on.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, you gotta get the energy flowing. By the way, you look fantastic.

[Jack Black]

Thank you.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I like that.

[Jack Black]

I got a special outfit just for Bowser. This is my Bowser Flames.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yes.

[Jack Black]

Dude, I forgot my suit. I don't know. We talked a little bit backstage. My publicist, Louis K. Thank you for hooking me up. He ran back to the hotel, got my suit here, my flame suit, just in time. Cause this morning I was like, I forgot what I'm gonna wear on Jimmy. I just went straight to work at snl. And I was just in my shorts, my Floorts, and my, like, tie, dye T shirt.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And I was like, I can't wear this on Jimmy.

[Jack Black]

Then I didn't have time to go back to the hotel. Dude, life is a crazy whirlwind right now.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Life is a highway, man. I want to ride it all night long. Dude, that is what I'm talking about is this. Anytime you're in the building, I don't care what you wear, you are always welcome at the Tonight Show. My friend.

[Jack Black]

Anyhow.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

But you look great. You look great.

[Jack Black]

You were like, fine, dude.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Wear your floor. It's.

[Jack Black]

I don't care.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Wherever you want. You're always welcome here. Let's talk about snl. You're here in the building. Saturday Night Live. It is Jack Black. It is Jack White. Yes.

[Jimmy Fallon]

What?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

What?

[Jack Black]

A one, two punch.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

It's a one, two punch. But you're also joining the Five Timers Club.

[Trump Impersonator/Voice]

Yes.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Chad. Dude, this is massive. I know. It's crazy.

[Jack Black]

It's so funny, because it doesn't matter how many times you do snl, it doesn't lose its magic or its terrifying nature.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

No.

[Jack Black]

Like, I'm like, it's a high wire act, and I can't help it. Like, part of my process is I have to be, like, certain that I'm gonna blow it. You know what I mean?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Jack Black]

That's just. And that's what gets me motivated.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah. Then you go out and you crash.

[Jack Black]

That's. Well, you know. You never know.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Jafar Jackson]

You never know.

[Modi]

No, no.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

But you and Jack White. Did you know about that? When did you find out about this book?

[Jack Black]

So this is crazy. I got the call that I was gonna be on snl. I didn't know who the musical guest was gonna be. And then I got a call from Jack Wyatt, and he was like, what do you think? Should we do this SNL thing? I was like, what are you talking about? He's like, wait, they didn't tell you? I was like, no, you're gonna be the musical guest. And he was like, I'm thinking about it. Should we. I wanted to check with you first.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I was like, hell, yes, we.

[Jack Black]

Because I've always secretly wanted to, like, party with Jack White. Cause I was like, wait a second. We're like the opposite sides of the Jack spectrum.

[Modi]

Yes.

[Jack Black]

It's like a no brainer. But it's never. We've never had the opportunity. And we're gonna finally mix it up.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes.

[Jack Black]

And see what happens.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

It's exciting. You played with Jack before, right? On a project?

[Jack Black]

Well, we kind of did, yeah. Like, I have a band. Tenacious D. Come on now.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, God.

[Jack Black]

And we were on tour one time, and we were headed to Nashville, and Jack White slid into my DMs. He said, Hey, I noticed you're coming to Nashville. You want to come down and, like, write a song and record a song over at my studio? I was like, hell, yes. We're gonna write a song and record a song. And it was like, in three days. And I was like, dude, we gotta write off the song. And we were really. As you know, my process is. I get really nervous and scared before everything. And I was like, let's write a song. I'm gonna write a song about being terrified and nervous about going to write a song with Jack White.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Brilliant.

[Jack Black]

And so we wrote this jam, and it's called Don't Blow It, Cage. Cage is my partner in Teenage sd. And we just went in there, and it was a little bit of magic.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, yeah. And fans are calling you guys together. Jack Gray, which is.

[Jack Black]

Yeah, that makes sense. Cause if you combine black and white as gray. But I'm not crazy about that, because gray is. It's kind of got a negative connotation. Like, it's a gray area. You don't really know what it is. I'd rather it was like Jack Silva or something, Like, Jack Zebra.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Jack Stripes. Jack Zebra.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Jack Zebra's pretty good, bud. I love that. Let's talk about the Super Mario Galaxy movie. This movie is gonna be huge, bud. Congrats. You do great on this. The first Super Mario made over a billion.

[Jack Black]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Billion. Can you believe that? Dude, that's amazing. Words a billion. That's nuts. And then your song Peaches, by the way, was on the Billboard Hot 100.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That was the best. That's what I'm talking about. That was the best.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Dude, did.

[Jack Black]

You Did.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Is that exciting to have your song on the charts?

[Jack Black]

Yeah. I was really stoked that it went viral, as the kids say.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yes.

[Jack Black]

And it was a sweet little jam that just sort of came up organically while we were recording. We were, like, halfway through the process. We were, like, a year into recording Bowser voice. And the writers and director was like, we have an idea for maybe Bowser sings a song. And I was like, nah, that's a bad idea. I'm not gonna sing in this movie, guys. I didn't sign up for a musical. And then I was like, all right, let me hear what you got. And they sent it over. And I was like, this is funny. We gotta do this. And I'm really glad that they did, because it's like a beautiful little nugget of joy. Bowser's got a soft side He's a lover and a fighter Ooh, I love that.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I remember I was playing it for my kids because I was like, dude, you gotta hear this. I played it for my kids, and they already knew it.

[Jack Black]

They knew it.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

That's when I knew it was a hit. They knew the whole jam. I was like, this guy's the best man. I'm so happy. So you crushed it as Bowser, I think, though, I don't know if he got enough respect.

[Jack Black]

Well, you know, I mean, Bowser got a lot of love in the fans, the Nintendo fans, but I thank you for bringing that up.

[Trump Impersonator/Voice]

No problem.

[Jack Black]

Bowser did not get any attention or love from the Academy. And I was like, dude, Peaches is a banger. Everyone's singing. Your kids are singing.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

My kids are singing everything.

[Jack Black]

For a second, I was like, I think we might get a nomination. And sure enough, we did not. And I even, like, campaigned for it a little bit. I'm not ashamed to say I was trying to get that nomination.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Jack Black]

And then not only did I not get my nomination, but my arch enemy, the Goss, Ryan Gosling, did get a nomination. And I was like, son of a biscuit. This Gosling. Always snacking on my potatoes.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Look, I love.

[Jack Black]

I'm just. Ken Love Barbie movie.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, of course. But.

[Jack Black]

But I can't pretend like there wasn't a little professional jealousy.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Jack Black]

And then I wrote a song about how jealous Bowser was. It's very Bowser to be jealous of.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah. Also Ryan Gosling, too.

[Jimmy Fallon]

The gods. The gods.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

The most likable dudes out there. Hey, here's the thing I love about Bowser. He's scary. He's got a lot of power. Great voice, by the way. He's voiced by a great, great actor. But. But he's got transformed into Minnie Bowser.

[Jack Black]

Oh, yes, yes. So at the end of the first one, if you didn't see it, he gets shrunk down with the power of Mario's special techniques. And so we start off the new movie galaxy, where he is still shrunken and kind of like in prison. They're keeping him captive.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Jack Black]

And, yeah, he's kind of a sweet little guy.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, there's something kind of cute to him. Yeah, he's really adorable.

[Jack Black]

Well, he's also, like, humbled and kind of vulnerable because he's tiny now and he doesn't have all his flame powers. You see a different side of Bowser when he's tiny.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

It's a great cast. It's super fun. I've been loving seeing all the press, and you did a great thing for us. You sang a song in Tokyo, dude,

[Jack Black]

that was so fun.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Thank you for doing that, by the way.

[Jack Black]

You sent out the power team.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, yeah, the power team came out, dude.

[Jack Black]

They flew out to Tokyo to say.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

And nah, you crushed it.

[Jack Black]

Did you have a hand in writing that song?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

You never know.

[Jack Black]

Wait, I bet you did.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I don't know.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I don't know. That was fantastic. Fantastic. Thank you for doing that.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Jack Black, everybody. The Super Mario Galaxy movie is in theaters now, and you can see him hosting SNL this weekend with Jack White. More Tonight show after the break. Stick around, everybody.

[Jack Black]

In Israel. It ain't a heart attack.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Our next guest is a talented actress

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

who stars in the series Europe Friends and Neighbors. Season two premieres tomorrow on Apple tv. Please welcome Olivia Munn.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Olivia, welcome back.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

You look gorgeous. Thank you for coming back.

[Olivia Munn]

Oh, my gosh. I always love being here.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

How you doing? How's the fam? How are the kids? How's Malcolm?

[Olivia Munn]

Everybody is doing great. Malcolm's doing great.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Send him my regards.

[Olivia Munn]

I will. He loves you.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I love that little kid. He's so cute. How old is he now?

[Olivia Munn]

He's four. And Mei Mae is 18 months.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, my gosh.

[Olivia Munn]

And they're just little best friends, and they're just the best.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, my. And you tell him that you told me that Malcolm's into jiu jitsu.

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah, I just got him into jujitsu about a month. Yeah, well, I did martial arts growing up, you know, it was very important to my mom, and so all the kids in our family, we had to do martial arts, and we had to do it until we made black belt. So it was very important in our family. Really? What kind of Taekwondo?

[Mr. Monopoly]

Wow.

[Olivia Munn]

And so I was like, it was really important for me that he gets into jiu jitsu. And it's so cute. Cause he's in there, and before he goes in there, he bows before he walks onto the mat. It's so cute. I know. It's the sweetest thing.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

It's his fig.

[Olivia Munn]

I know. It's so cute. The other day, I was getting him changed. He was putting on his gi and tying his belt. And we had spent the whole day playing outside without shoes on. And so I looked at his feet. I was like, they're filthy. I was like, let me just wipe them down. He was like, no, I don't want you to. And I was like, no, you have to. They're so dirty. And he was like, why do I have to wash my feet? I said, well, because you're gonna share the mat with other kids, and you need your feet to be clean. So he begrudgingly let me wipe his feet off. And then as soon as I was done, he bolted. He was about to step off onto the street, and I was like, malcolm, you're gonna get your feet dirty.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yes.

[Olivia Munn]

And he turned around and gave me that look. Yeah, yeah. And then he. And then he almost stepped off. And as soon as he, like, had one foot in the air, I went, hey, respect the dojo. And I was like, who is that? Like, I was like, am I a tiger Mom? Like, I had no idea that I even had that in me. Like, who says that? Respect that. You're the dojo.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I love it.

[Olivia Munn]

I have never said that in my life.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Maybe it was ingrained in you.

[Olivia Munn]

It must have been a sensei, like, years ago. I mean, my first sensei, Master Yoon, he said things like that.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Respect.

[Olivia Munn]

I don't talk like that.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I think it's a T shirt now. You have to make that. I love.

[Olivia Munn]

Respect the drink, the dojo.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, my God.

[Olivia Munn]

And he. And by the way, it worked. He respected the dojo.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

That's right. See, he learned. That's right. Good kid. Good kid. Malcolm, your husband is the very funny John Mulaney, who we love. And you are very funny. I would assume your kids have great senses of humor.

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah, they're very fun, funny kids. And John and him, you know, make jokes all the time together. And he'll often ask me to make up a joke or give him a new joke and things like that.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

So do you have any good ones to give him?

[Olivia Munn]

Yesterday I gave him a joke. Why do ducks have feathers on their tails?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Why?

[Olivia Munn]

To cover their butt quacks.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's a great joke.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

That's a great joke. Oh, my God, I love that. I never heard that one.

[Olivia Munn]

And you know what? He. He goes like this.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Ha ha.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Really?

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah, that's.

[Modi]

He.

[Olivia Munn]

It's like a courtesy laugh. But that's what he does when he thinks it's funny, but he doesn't really want to laugh. I get that a lot. John gets the big laughs with me.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

He goes, ha, ha ha.

[Olivia Munn]

It feels a little insulting. I'm like, no, I don't need your courtesy laughs.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

But maybe it's the thing. Cause I feel like comedians all do this. Like, John probably does this too. Like, when a comedian hears a funny joke, it's almost like they do Paul Schaeffer. They just go like, ah, yeah.

[Olivia Munn]

You know what? John will do this. I might say something. He goes, that's funny.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You know, that's exactly right.

[Olivia Munn]

There's no laughter.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

No, no. Your brain is kind of. I don't know if you're a little jealous. I don't know what. Your brain goes, oh, that's funny.

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You just, like, kinda.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

He really means it. That's so good.

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah, that's his thing.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Before you made it into Hollywood, you told me that you were an extra in a couple things, and one was a great story. I did not know this, but do you mind telling everybody what show you were in?

[Olivia Munn]

The first extra job I ever got was Gilmore Girls. I love Gilmore Girls. I was in Stars Hollow. Can you believe it?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

What was it like?

[Olivia Munn]

Okay, well. Okay, so Rory.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Lorelai.

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah, Lorelai and Rory and all of that.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Paris Gellert's my jam.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Are you kidding me?

[Olivia Munn]

So, okay, so I. When I came out to California, I drove myself. And then my girlfriend gave me this book. It's called An Actor's First Year in Hollywood. And I was like, this is it. This will get me to. I'll make it this way. I love these books. So I was reading it on my drive, and every time I'd pull over and I'd go to the hotel, and I'd be like, I gotta read. I gotta figure out what to do. And it said, to become an actor, you need to join the union, the SAG union. And the way to do it is becoming an extra and getting pink slips. And so you can do certain kind of jobs as background artists. And they give you these special pink slips, and you get three, and you can turn that in for a union card. You get there to central casting. I don't know if you've ever seen it or been there, but, like, out the door, down the block, around the block, that's how long the line is.

[Trump Impersonator/Voice]

Yeah, of course.

[Olivia Munn]

And so. So I'm in this line at the back of the line, holding my passport.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

It's Hollywood.

[Olivia Munn]

So excited, smiling ear to ear. No one else is smiling. Everyone else is miserable. And I'm just like, guys, we're gonna make it. Everyone here, we're all gonna make it. This is so exciting. Look at us.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

We're in the land of dreams, man.

[Olivia Munn]

Look at us.

[Jimmy Fallon]

We're all gonna be stars.

[Olivia Munn]

I'm so excited.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

That's the attitude.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Don't lose that attitude.

[Olivia Munn]

I had that book with me. Like, you guys, you need the book.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Olivia Munn]

And so the first job I ever got was on Gilmore Girls. And I mean, when I say that. You think that I was on Gil? No, I was like, so far in the back, you couldn't. I mean, I even told my mom, watch. I'm gonna be on Gilmore Girls. And she was like, I didn't see you.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

And I was like, yeah, what episode?

[Olivia Munn]

Okay, I don't remember any of that stuff, but I do. I remember it was a winter scene.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Okay.

[Jack Black]

Yeah.

[Olivia Munn]

The reason I remember that is because. So when I. They asked you to bring some of your own clothes so you can, like, you know, they don't have to, like, provide clothes. And so I go into the, you know, background holding, and I'm again, the only one smiling at 4am and I'm like, hey, guys.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Hey.

[Olivia Munn]

And they're just like, ugh. And then there's this one guy. He sees me. He's like, come over here. I'm like, okay. So I sit down next to him. He reaches over. He hands me a red scarf. He goes, put this on. I was like, why the red scarf? He's like, so that they can see you in the background. He's like, so if you wear something bright and colorful, you'll always be seen on tv. And I was like, that's amazing. And then he also gave me some more tips. He was like, bring Tupperware so that you can eat lunch, and then also bring more lunch home for yourself tomorrow. I learned all that.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

That's great advice.

[Olivia Munn]

It was great. Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Because when you're a struggling actor, you don't have. You don't have money for food. No, you don't have food.

[Olivia Munn]

So when he ended up on the episode. You saw his red hat.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Wait, that guy?

[Olivia Munn]

He had a red hat, and I had the red scarf, but he was doing stuff like this. Like, I was just sitting there doing. It was a scene where Lorelai was getting some of the people in the town together to rile him up.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

You know that scene?

[Olivia Munn]

It's like the scene, right?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Sure.

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

So I'm trying to remember. I've seen this.

[Olivia Munn]

I think they do that a lot.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah. Do you want me to pretend I'm Lorelei and you'll be the guy?

[Olivia Munn]

Okay, you'll be.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, yeah, you'll be the guy. I'll be Lorelei.

[Olivia Munn]

And it was a coffee shop.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

All right, so it's a coffee shop.

[Olivia Munn]

Okay, so you'll be there.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Guys, we have to talk a bit, but we have to. Guys, want to make sure the run's want. We make sure that you're there, and we're just wanting to drink as well. Ok, got it. All right, let's go. That's perfect. All right, great. Did he make it in. Did he make it in the show?

[Olivia Munn]

He made it in the show.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, but you probably would have just now. But look at you now. Your friends and neighbors. Congratulations on Apple tv. The first episode, Season two comes out tomorrow. It's already Picked up for season three.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Come on, Olivia Munn.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

That's how you do it.

[Trump Teleprompter Voice]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

You guys have great chemistry on the show. Great cast. Amanda Peete, Jon Hamm.

[Olivia Munn]

And now James Marsden.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

And now James Marsden. By the way, here's you and James Marsden.

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah, that's us at our party the other night.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, he's fantastic. Have you known James for a while?

[Olivia Munn]

I. Okay, I actually have known James, but I've known him for so long, so. So I was born in Oklahoma, but then raised in Tokyo. And then at the age of 16, we came back to Oklahoma, and I went to this high school where it was incredibly difficult to make friends, you know? Cause at that age, everyone already is friended up. And I had a really difficult time. But there was one person who asked to be my friend, and her name is Jenny Marsden. And it's James. Little sister.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

No way.

[Olivia Munn]

Yeah. So he was already on the CBS show, and he'd already had his big break in Hollywood, and she's like, oh, my brother's coming back. And I asked him to take some of my friends out to dinner. And so he took us out to dinner and then out to ice cream at Brahms. And it was a really wholesome night. But there's no way that it would have been impactful for him. Right? Like, it was just like, he's taking his sister's friends out. But for me, it was like. It just was so, like, life forming in that moment because I was, like, one degree away from somebody who made it. Like, I was like, oh, my gosh, I'm in the same city. And being close to this sister Jenny, it just made it more attainable, you know, this, like, this lofty goal. It was like, oh, somebody else made it. Maybe I could make it too. And it wasn't for, like, 13 or 15 years later where I've had some success, and I'm in Hollywood, and I'm at this party, and I see him across the way, and I'm like, oh, my God, it's. There's no way.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

He'll never remember.

[Olivia Munn]

So I went right over to him, and I was like, you're not gonna remember me, but, like, you took us out this one time when I was 16 years old, and he, like, vaguely remembered, and we just were friends since then, and now we're working together.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, that full circle. Now you're working together. It's a fantastic story. What's happening with season two? What's going on? How do we set up what's happening in season two?

[Olivia Munn]

Season two is James Morrison's character comes in like the Great Gatsby, like the Count of Monte Cristo. And my character is at just the bottom. She is just out of prison and she has lost everything, and no one wants to be her friend, and she's just a social pariah. And so she's trying to make her way back into everyone's, you know, good graces.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah, perfect. It's great drama, but also little bits of sprinkles of comedy in there, and you're really great.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Season two of youf Friends and Neighbors premieres tomorrow on Apple tv. We'll be right back, everybody.

[Jack Black]

My favorite cartoon after Mavericks Come to Honeymoon.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Our next guest is making his acting debut as Michael Jackson in the new movie Michael, which premieres April 24th in theaters and IMAX. Please welcome Jafar Jackson.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Welcome, welcome, welcome. Jafar Jackson.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Welcome to the Tonight Show. It's amazing. I love the energy. Thank you for coming on. I can't wait to talk about Michael and what a great performance you've done in this film. This is your first movie role. You're playing Michael Jackson. Okay. That's as big. That's as big as you can probably pick for anything character to portray in a film. But also, this character that you're playing, Michael Jackson, the one and only, happens to be your uncle. Yes. So Jermaine Jackson is your dad?

[Jafar Jackson]

Yes, Jermaine is my father.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I love Jermaine Jackson. You've got to give him my best.

[Jafar Jackson]

Oh, absolutely.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I love him. Yeah. So how did you. How did this happen? You found out they're making a biopic. Walk me through it.

[Jafar Jackson]

Yeah, so. So I saw an article where it said that Graham King got the rights to tell Michael's story. And I forgot where I saw it was online somewhere.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Graham King has made Bohemian Rhapsody.

[Jafar Jackson]

Oh, he's made incredible films. He made Bohemian Rhapsody, the Queen biopic. Yes. And my first thought was, who are they gonna get to play Michael? And honestly, I didn't think of myself. I was like, this is gonna be really interesting.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Jafar Jackson]

Cause I didn't know. So fast forward a couple of months. I get a call from Graham King. He wanted to have a zoom. And I can tell just by call what this was gonna lead to in some way. And then one thing led to the other. We had lunch, and he's kind of looking at me. He asked me, have you ever acted before? I said, never. I've never wanted to be an actor. And I initially told him I grew up wanting to play golf. I got into music.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Okay. If he's making a golf movie. Sure.

[Jafar Jackson]

It definitely wasn't anything Micah related, but I grew up loving, obviously, watching Michael's videos and studying his moves and things like that. But fast forward to six months in. He got me a coach that I started to work on a lot of scenes from other films. And it was a multi year process. It wasn't just a traditional audition. I definitely had to. To earn the role for a two

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

year process, really learning all the moves and dancing and.

[Jafar Jackson]

Yeah. Just to know I got the part.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah. Oh, really?

[Jafar Jackson]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Before you even got the part.

[Jafar Jackson]

Before I even officially got the part. And then I had some more time to really hone in all the details, knowing I have the part.

[Modi]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

When you're there, when you're in your dressing room, you're dressed, hair and makeup looks fantastic. As Michael, do you look in the mirror and go, what's going on? Or do you go, this is surreal. This is my uncle. This is crazy?

[Jafar Jackson]

Oh, 100%. Absolutely. It was really a surreal, spiritual moment at the same time, you know, spending all those hours in the makeup chair. And thanks to the incredible Bill Corso, who's the head of makeup on the film. Just that process of seeing me slowly transform into Michael, it was emotional. My first reaction was it was day one and I was doing the bad tour, the bad performance.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

That's your first.

[Jafar Jackson]

That was day one of production.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, my God. They threw you right in.

[Jafar Jackson]

Oh, they threw me right in the deep end.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Jafar Jackson]

We did all the performances the first two weeks of shooting.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah. I remember watching his videos and trying to imitate his dance moves and doing, you know, beat it, you know, And I was doing in front of the tv and I go, and I go, oh, man, I think I got these moves, man. I think if Michael needs somebody, I could be the next Michael Jackson. Yeah.

[Jafar Jackson]

Nice backup dancer.

[Jack Black]

Yes.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

I couldn't even be his backup dancer. But when you do it, because when you watch it, you have his moves. I mean, you did the work, buddy. You put the work in. You did the homework.

[Jafar Jackson]

Thank you.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Amazing job.

[Trump Teleprompter Voice]

Thank you.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

It's not. It's not just the moonwalk, which, you know, it's more than that. But that must have been pressured the day that you had to do the moonwalk.

[Jafar Jackson]

Yeah, well, see, going into it, I always told myself, what should I start on first? And then I had incredible guidance from Rich and Tone, who are Michael's actual choreographers that he had on tour during the History tour.

[Jack Black]

Oh, my God.

[Jafar Jackson]

So we broke down frame by frame, the Billie Jean performance from Motown 25. And that was the first set of choreography I start to learn throughout the process. And that 20 days to kind of prove to them and the filmmakers that I can pull it off within those 20 days. Even though in my mind I was like, 20 days, how can I do that? I need a lot more time. And within that time, I was very doubtful. And it was incredibly challenging. I can only imagine looking back at those videos now, and it's horrible.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

You pulled it off. No, you pulled it off.

[Jafar Jackson]

Compared to now, how it looks on the film is way different.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Oh, yeah. Than when you first started. But, I mean, let me just show everybody. This is. This is Michael Jackson in the thriller video in 1983. This is Jafar as Michael. And this was. You filmed this in the same location where Michael did the Thriller video?

[Jafar Jackson]

The same exact location for two nights, all through the night. And we actually had a full moon on one of those nights. It was just crazy.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

That's the kind of Michael Jackson magic. You had a full moon.

[Jafar Jackson]

He had a full moon and it was cold. I know he shot during the summer, but just being at that location, seeing the zombies around me was. I was like, I mean, that's one of my favorite videos, other than Smooth Criminal. But that to be in the real location was incredible.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Jafar Jackson, everybody. Michael hits theaters and IMAX April 24th. We'll be right back with more Tonight Show.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Stick around.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Well done.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Our next guest is headlining New York's Radio City Music Hall April 23rd and 30th, making his Tonight show debut. Please welcome the very funny Modi.

[Jimmy Fallon]

How are ya?

[Modi]

It is so great to be here. I just finished the European leg of our tour and it's just so good to be back in America. Oh, and to hear English and to see. Speak English. What a treat. Do you know how lucky we are that this is what we speak? There is zero effort in speaking English. I'm speaking to you right now in English. There's no effort. You breathe in, you breathe out, you put some words and you're done. We were in countries where you can't imagine what they have to go through to communicate. We were in Holland. They speak Dutch. They have to engage their core, suck air in through their ears, and. They sound like someone speaking Yiddish and having a stroke.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Paris.

[Modi]

We were in France. Do you know how hard French is to speak? Even the French Give up in the middle. I'm married. I'm married. I have had just an anniversary.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Just passed. Yes, yes.

[Modi]

Married. Anniversary. To my husband. I have a husband.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes, yes.

[Modi]

And whenever fans, they always come up to us and go, hey, you're Modi and you're his gay husband. And they say it as if I'm not gay, but I happen to have a gay husband. People have asked, is Mody gay? I don't know, but his husband is.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Modi]

I was told I don't give off a gay vibe.

[Jack Black]

Yeah.

[Modi]

Leo and I live in Manhattan. A big building with a million people and a lot of gossip. A lot of gossip. And the woman that's in charge of all the gossip lives on our floor. I'm not gonna mention her name. Sharon Berkowitz.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Modi]

9F. Right when you make the turn. Two months ago, she corners me in the elevator and says, uh huh.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Uh huh.

[Modi]

I don't know if you've heard, but the lawyer that bought the apartment above yours is a homosexual. I said, sharon, you're kidding. I've been sleeping with him all this time. I had no idea he's a lawyer. Fans are very supportive and have lots of advice for us. Lots of advice. Yeah. You guys are so cute. Oh, my God. You guys should. You guys should have a baby. We can't. Did you miss that class in junior high school?

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

No.

[Modi]

There's ways. There's ways. With a surrogate for only $220,000, you can try. It doesn't always work. It doesn't always take. Leo and I took $220,000 and redid all the bathrooms in our Connecticut home. Yes. Yes.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And they all work.

[Modi]

Yes. They all took. They took seven weeks. But now we have the heated flaws in the Steam Chef. Lots of joy we have from this. Yeah, yeah. Lots of advice they have for us. You guys should rescue a dog. We rescued a Porsche.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Yeah.

[Modi]

It was in a car lot of the dealership all alone. There was almost a year old. Couldn't just leave it there. Leo fell in love with it. Now Leo brings it everywhere. So it's a win. Win. Yeah. Yes. My husband is younger. He's 10, 12 years younger than me. 22 years younger. 10 and 12. Yes. He's a millennial. A millennial. Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, yeah.

[Modi]

We have small little generational differences. For example, I wear a watch. I've worn a watch ever since I was 13 years old. Millennials don't wear watches. But this past summer, we're on the beach. I look over, I see Leo wearing a black watch. Leo, what time is. Doesn't tell you the time. Your watch doesn't tell you the time. It's not a watch, it's a whoop. What does your whoop tell you? Tells me how I'm doing, how I'm actually doing. So I look at my wrist, I see a gold Rolex. I know I'm doing good. And I also know what time it is. Thank you.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, my God.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Danny Robinson will be proud.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Thank you, Modi, everybody. That's right. See Mody at Radio City Musical April 23rd and 30th. My thanks to Jack Black, Olivia Munn, Jafar Jackson, Mody once again and the Roots Rod there for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thank you for watching. Stay tuned for Late Night with Seth Meyers.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Good night, everybody.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Thank you. Get into it.

[Jack Black]

Thanks for listening to the Tonight show starring Jenny Fallon.

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

Don't forget to subscribe to get the

[Jack Black]

latest episodes weekday mornings. Wherever you get your podcasts, Watch the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon weeknights on

[Jimmy Fallon (Host/Interviewer)]

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