Detailed Summary of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Episode Featuring Nate Bargatze and Lorraine Bracco

Release Date: May 7, 2025
Episode: "Trump's Tense Meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Carney | Nate Bargatze, Lorraine Bracco"

Introduction

Broadcasted from Studio 6B at Rockefeller Center in New York City, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon remains the longest-running talk show on television and a leading late-night program in the digital realm. This particular episode, aired on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, features comedian Nate Bargatze and Oscar-nominated actress Lorraine Bracco as guests. The evening is filled with Fallon’s characteristic humor, engaging interviews, and entertaining sketches.

Jimmy Fallon's Monologue

Jimmy Fallon kicked off the show with his signature monologue, weaving humor into current events and pop culture.

• Met Gala Mishaps: Fallon humorously recounted his experience at the Met Gala, emphasizing the awkwardness of fashion overlaps. At [00:50], he quipped, “There’s nothing more awkward than when you show up in the same outfit as someone else. It is my apologies to Andre 3000. You wore it best.”

• National Teachers Day: Addressing National Teachers Day, Fallon blended appreciation with playful sarcasm. At [02:10], he remarked, “It is that special day that we recognize teachers while also praying we never run into them outside of school.”

• Political Satire – Trump's Meeting with Canada's PM Carney: Fallon delved into the political landscape, mocking President Trump’s recent meeting with Canada’s Prime Minister Carney. At [02:45], he joked, “Trump said if Canada became the 51st state, it would be a wonderful marriage. And people were like, how would he know? But the Prime Minister said, Canada is not for sale and won't be for sale ever.”

• Business News and Pop Culture Jokes: Fallon continued with a slew of business-related humor, highlighting Rite Aid's bankruptcy and poking fun at various retail giants. Additionally, he introduced a satirical segment on the conclave for a new pope, humorously reimagining the traditional smoke signals with colors representing whimsical outcomes like “pink smoke means it's a girl pope” and “green smoke means the new pope is a brat” at [02:50].

These segments set a lighthearted tone, blending topical humor with Fallon’s relatable style.

Interview with Nate Bargatze

Guest Introduction:
At [07:31], Jimmy Fallon welcomed Nate Bargatze, highlighting his success as the highest-earning comedian of 2024 with over a million tickets sold for his "Be Funny" tour.

Darth Vader’s Watch:
The conversation took a humorous turn when Fallon noticed Nate’s unique watch, prompting discussions about its origins.

• Nate's Unique Accessory: At [07:39], Nate revealed, “This is Darth Vader's watch,” leading to a playful exchange where Fallon expressed skepticism. At [08:12], Fallon remarked, “I didn't know Darth Vader wore a watch,” to which Nate insisted, “It is Darth Vader's watch.”

• Humorous Evidence: Nate presented a photo, claiming it showed David Prowse (the man behind Darth Vader) wearing the watch at Heathrow Airport. Fallon remained dubious, humorously asserting, “This is James Earl Jones,” confusing the voice actor with the suit performer.

Nate’s Book and Tour:
Discussion shifted to Nate’s latest endeavors.

• "Big Dumb Eyes" Book: At [11:20], Fallon promoted Nate's book, “big Dumb Eyes, Stories from a Simpler Mind,” praising its comedic value and relevance for occasions like Mother’s and Father’s Day.

• Madison Square Garden Tour: The highlight was Nate’s upcoming Madison Square Garden shows. Nate proposed, “[...] Would you come do the shows with me at Madison Square Garden?” leading to a series of jokes about Fallon stepping into stand-up comedy after a decade.

Humorous Banter:
The interview was filled with lighthearted exchanges, including mock discussions about Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, where Fallon playfully questioned Nate’s friendships and illustrated with fabricated photos, reinforcing the comedic atmosphere.

• Example Quote: At [17:11], Fallon humorously challenged Nate’s claim of friendship with Tiger Woods, saying, “This does not look like you two are in the same,” to which Nate confidently responded, “Me and Tiger are dear friends.”

Interview with Lorraine Bracco

Guest Introduction:
At [20:00], Fallon welcomed Lorraine Bracco, commending her for her role in the new Netflix film Nonnas, which was set to premiere the following Friday.

Career Highlights and Anecdotes:
The conversation delved into Bracco’s illustrious career, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and personal experiences.

• Destiny’s Child Interview: At [21:05], Bracco reminisced about interviewing Destiny’s Child for Interview magazine in 2001, highlighting their discussions on racism and the challenges of fame. She noted, “They were young, they were beautiful. They opened up about racism... It was really quite intense being honest about that.”

• Casting Stories: Fallon explored Bracco’s casting journey, including her almost roles as Carmela Soprano in The Sopranos and Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny.

  • Declining "My Cousin Vinny": At [23:53], Bracco explained, “I had parasites and blah, blah, blah, so I had to say no,” illustrating the tough decisions actors often face.

  • Embracing "The Sopranos": She detailed her determination to portray Dr. Melfi, stating, “I wanted it,” and successfully landing the role, which became iconic.

• Reflections on The Sopranos Finale: Discussing the controversial ending, Bracco shared, “People are still talking about it. So I guess David did do something interesting,” referencing the sudden black screen that left audiences speculating.

• Goodfellas and Martin Scorsese: At [25:31], Bracco recounted how Robert De Niro encouraged her to read Nick Pileggi's Wise Guys, which led to her acclaimed role in Goodfellas.

• Basketball Diaries and Improvisation: Highlighting her collaborative work with Leonardo DiCaprio, Bracco described their improvisational approach: “All of the scenes that we did were, like, totally improvised.”

Promotion of Nonnas:
The discussion transitioned to Bracco’s new film, Nonnas, a heartfelt story about a man honoring his late family members by opening a restaurant with authentic grandmotherly cooking.

• Plot Overview: At [27:08], she explained, “It's about a man who inherited a couple of bucks and decided to honor his mom and grandma by opening up a restaurant that he knows nothing about,” emphasizing the film’s themes of food, love, and family.

• On-Set Experiences: Bracco shared anecdotes about working with co-stars like Vince Vaughn and Joe Manganiello, highlighting the supportive and collaborative environment on set.

Personal Touches:
In a warm exchange, Bracco presented Fallon with homemade biscotti, adding a personal and charming element to the interview.

• Sharing Recipes: At [28:26], she offered, “These are my biscotti that I got this recipe from a friend of mine up in Woodstock,” fostering a sense of camaraderie and genuine connection.

• Appreciation of the Film’s Message: Both Fallon and Bracco underscored the film’s appeal, especially as a Mother's Day feature, focusing on its celebration of family and culinary traditions.

Conclusion

The episode seamlessly blended humor with heartfelt conversations, showcasing Fallon’s adeptness at engaging diverse guests. Nate Bargatze’s comedic anecdotes and Lorraine Bracco’s poignant storytelling provided a balanced and entertaining viewing experience. As the show wrapped up, Fallon encouraged listeners to subscribe for more episodes and reminded them to watch the show on NBC or stream it on Peacock.

Notable Closing Quote: At [31:35], Fallon concluded, “Do it. Thanks for listening to the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest episodes weekday mornings wherever you get your podcast.”

This episode exemplified the enduring charm of The Tonight Show, offering a blend of topical humor, engaging interviews, and authentic guest interactions, making it a memorable installment for both regular viewers and newcomers alike.