Podcast Summary

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Episode: Trump Wants to Go to Venezuela | Rose Byrne, Maya Hawke
Date: January 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Tonight Show is a lively blend of sharp political humor, celebrity interviews, pop culture riffs, and playful games. Jimmy Fallon kicks things off with topical jokes, particularly focusing on former President Trump’s recent comments about Venezuela and Greenland. The show then welcomes acclaimed actress Rose Byrne, who discusses her new film and personal life, followed by Maya Hawke, star of Stranger Things, who talks about the series finale, her upcoming Hunger Games role, and plays a light-hearted game celebrating her castmates. The overall tone is upbeat, witty, and conversational, filled with good-natured ribbing and heartfelt moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Monologue Highlights: Trump & World Events

• Trump's NYT Interview (01:33)

  • Fallon jokes about the interview’s excessive length:

    “The interview went so long, the Times almost got to ask a second question.” (01:33)

  • Mocks Trump’s reported wish to “go to Venezuela,” riffing on “dictator wife swap” and making fun of the lack of direct US presence:

    "Trump went from being obsessed with ballrooms to being obsessed with oil..." (01:55)

• Absurdist "Invading Countries" Riff

  • Comedy sketch brainstorming increasingly outlandish places Trump might want to "invade":

    "Greenland?... Iceland?... Disneyland?... The Upside Down?" (03:09–03:25)

• Other News Stories

  • Target pivots to ‘wellness destination,’ Taco Bell debuts the spicy Volcano Quesarito—a string of fast-moving, gently mocking business quips.
  • Fun parody with The Roots reenacting Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, poking fun at the show's dramatic flair (05:55–07:05).

2. Interview with Rose Byrne (08:56–19:00)

On "If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You"

• Rose brings a “kickin mule” cocktail, a spicy take on a Moscow Mule, to celebrate her new film.
  • “It’s got a little jalapeno, but it’s got kick.” – Rose Byrne (09:02)
• Jimmy reads glowing real-life reviews to Rose, who is bashfully proud:
  • “Rose Byrne gives the performance of a lifetime.” – Vanity Fair (Read by Fallon, 09:48)
• Rose discusses not being able to bring her partner, Bobby, to the Golden Globes due to a “reptile expo” and their family's new bearded dragon.
  • “He’s doing God’s work.” – Rose Byrne about her partner going to the reptile expo (11:51)

"Seinfeld" Superfan Segment

• Jimmy quizzes Rose on Seinfeld trivia, which leads to fun banter and nostalgia.
  • “It was huge in Australia. Bigger than Friends even.” – Rose Byrne (12:53)
  • Rose aces questions about Junior Mints, Newman, Art Vandelay, and the Festivus pole, with only a brief stumble on the dancing song (“Shining Star” by Earth, Wind & Fire).

On the Film’s Themes and Co-Stars

• Discusses the meaning behind the film’s title:

  • “You know that saying, you don’t have a leg to stand on? If she did have a leg to stand on, she’d kick you because she’s got a lot of anger.” – Rose Byrne (16:16)

• Fallon and Byrne praise Conan O’Brien’s role as her “terrible therapist,” and discuss how A$AP Rocky brings curiosity and charm to his role.

  • “He’s so charming… we kept hoping Rihanna would come to set.” – Rose Byrne on A$AP Rocky (18:09–18:27)

• The movie’s genre-bending effect:

  • “It played really like a comedy [in New York]… in Toronto it was like a horror film… it’s a real magic trick.” – Rose Byrne (18:38–18:51)

3. Interview with Maya Hawke (19:43–29:05)

Stranger Things: End of an Era

• Fallon lauds Maya’s performance as Robin; Maya reflects on the end of Stranger Things:

  “It meant so much to me...one of the best feelings is when you’re through something hard, and then you get to help someone else across the same difficult situation.” – Maya Hawke (25:32)

• Hawke shares the behind-the-scenes rumors and fans betting on her character’s fate:

  “I gave them some obscure hints and they placed...a lot of money on my hints and they lost it all.” – Maya Hawke (24:47)

On the Hunger Games Franchise

• Maya celebrates joining the Hunger Games universe, praising Jennifer Lawrence’s influence and reflecting on the anti-fascist message in a mainstream film:

  “The Hunger Games as a franchise I think is so cool because it’s, like, so explicitly anti-fascist but so mainstream...” – Maya Hawke (20:22)

• Fun story about Glenn Close improvising dirty limericks on a freezing set in Germany.

  “No one has ever had that experience...doing dirty limericks with Glenn Close.” – Maya Hawke (22:12)

Maya’s Music & Inspiration

• Maya teases new music, inspired by writing during Stranger Things shoots:

  “Basically every season I’ve written an album while I was making the season…there might be another Stranger Things inspired song.” – Maya Hawke (23:02–23:16)

“Stranger Things” Yearbook Superlatives Game

Maya and Jimmy assign yearbook-style superlatives to the cast:

• Best Couple: [Photos chosen with playful debate] (26:42)
• Best Eyes: Noah
• Class Clown: Dustin (“Gaten’s graduation speech was great!” – Maya (26:08))
• Best Hair: Steve (“He’s so sick of talking about that.” – Fallon (28:24))
• Most Reliable: Lucas
• Most Athletic: Sadie
• Most Likely to Succeed: Jonathan
• Most Likely to Change the World: [Left open-ended; implied significance]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Political Satire

  “The Times almost got to ask a second question.” – Jimmy Fallon, on Trump’s long interview (01:33)

• On Acting & Recognition

  “Rose Byrne gives the performance of a lifetime…It's time to give Rose Byrne her flowers.” – Jimmy reads from Vanity Fair and Vulture (09:48–10:04)

• On Pop Culture

  “It was huge in Australia. Bigger than Friends even. It was huge.” – Rose Byrne on Seinfeld (12:53)

• Perspective on Stranger Things' Finale

  “One of the best feelings is when you’re through something hard…and you get to help someone else across…” – Maya Hawke (25:32)

• On the Star-Studded Hunger Games Set

  “[Glenn Close] did really enjoy making up dirty limericks while we were waiting in the cold.” – Maya Hawke (22:05)

• Banter on the Show’s Embrace of Chaos

  “I started doing this thing...I would try to sneak one weird word [into Robin’s lines] and I didn’t think they would keep them all, but they did.” – Maya Hawke (24:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump/Venezuela/Greenland Monologue: 01:33 – 03:33
• Roots’ Real Housewives Reenactment: 05:55 – 07:05
• Rose Byrne Interview Start: 08:56
  • Seinfeld Trivia: 12:44 – 16:07
  • Film discussion: 16:07 – 19:00
• Maya Hawke Interview Start: 19:43
  • Hunger Games discussion: 20:13 – 22:22
  • Glenn Close/Limericks anecdote: 21:22 – 22:15
  • Stranger Things finale & cast superlatives: 23:32 – 28:18

Overall Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is classic Tonight Show: spirited, topical, warm, and a little silly, with Fallon’s trademark blend of praise and playful teasing. Both Rose Byrne and Maya Hawke shine in their interviews, offering a mix of personal stories, thoughtful reflections on their work, and fun cultural tangents. Whether discussing lizards, ’90s sitcoms, blockbuster franchises, or viral conspiracy theories, the guests and host keep things fast, friendly, and relatable.

Recommended For

Fans of late-night comedy, pop culture enthusiasts, and viewers interested in behind-the-scenes stories from popular TV and film, especially Stranger Things and buzzy indie films. This episode is also a fun listen for those who enjoy seeing celebrities engage in games and lighthearted self-deprecation.