Trump's Unhinged AI Meme Posting Spree | Lisa Kudrow, Robert Irwin, Stevie Van Zandt | Monday, May 4

Summary

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Episode: Trump’s Unhinged AI Meme Posting Spree | Lisa Kudrow, Robert Irwin, Stevie Van Zandt
Date: May 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This energetic episode of The Tonight Show blends Jimmy Fallon’s trademark comedy with thoughtful celebrity conversations. Notable highlights include:

• A monologue riffing on Star Wars Day, Spirit Airlines' collapse, and President Trump’s latest antics, including a bizarre AI meme spree.
• Warm, insightful interviews with Lisa Kudrow (reflecting on Friends, The Comeback, and Hollywood’s AI future), Robert Irwin (discussing conservation, legacy, and his Dancing with the Stars win), and Stevie Van Zandt (on rock legend, cool wedding stories, TeachRock education, and honoring Jimi Hendrix).
• Plenty of laughs, light moments, and memorable stories, all delivered in the show’s high-energy, humorous style.

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Monologue & Opening Segments

Star Wars Day and Spirit Airlines

• Jimmy opens with the Star Wars Day pun (“May the fourth be with you”) and jokes about Trump making Marco Rubio dress up as Baby Yoda.
• Spirit Airlines folding sparks a comedic skit with a fictional loyal customer mourning the end of low-budget flights (“Spirit Airlines wasn’t perfect, but it was a huge part of my life for the last three decades.” — Spirit Customer, 02:16).
• Bit escalates unpredictably: “It took them forever to add wolves to every flight.” (Spirit Customer, 03:34), and, “Why was there a feral cat population? To control the giant rat population.” (03:55).
• Playful jabs about airline safety and absurd in-flight animal logic.

Politics & Trump’s AI Meme Spree

• Report on President Trump dismissing Iran’s peace plan without reading it, quip: “Nothing says diplomacy like I haven’t read it. And the answer is no.” (04:09)
• Trump ordering Navy escorts in the Strait of Hormuz is lampooned: “Best case scenario when you hear Trump starting an escort service. Say hello to USS Cinnamon.” (04:20)
• “Over the weekend, Trump went on a late night meme posting spree, which included an AI generated image of himself playing Uno with the caption, ‘I have all the cards.’ So that confirms that Trump has no idea how someone wins Uno.” (05:31)

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Guest 1: Lisa Kudrow

[10:31 – 20:11]

Reflections on Friends & The Comeback

• Kudrow discusses visiting the Warner Bros. lot (Friends and The Comeback both shot there): “The two most impactful shows for me were finishing up on the same stage.” (11:23)
• Shares emotional stories about her son growing up during the Friends years and making appearances on The Comeback set: “He was five when we left, and he was on...the Comeback, and all of his stuff was on stage 24.” (12:29)
• Recounts memories about filming the iconic Friends fountain scene, giving fun behind-the-scenes: “At the end...we’re going to three in the morning. We got to hurry up. And then it was, ‘Alright, now get in the fountain.’ What?” (13:22).

On Ross & Rachel (“We were on a break”)

• Kudrow offers a new opinion:
  • “He was a bad boyfriend.” (14:29)
  • “She shouldn’t have gotten back with him because he was horrible...It’s like I don’t care if he slept with three other women or no other women.” (15:16)
  • Fallon: “Someone finally said it. Yes, he’s a bad boyfriend.” (14:45)

On The Comeback, Improv Roots, and AI in Hollywood

• Kudrow’s character Valerie is based on her improv at the Groundlings: “I had this character called your favorite actress on a talk show...just to make fun of how self-important she was.” (16:41)
• Season three finale, the series wraps up: “It’s so full Circle...I have to rethink everything now.” (18:07)
• Discusses writers' strike, AI-written sitcoms:
  • “She’s offered a lead in a sitcom...here’s the catch: It’s written by AI.” (19:34)
  • “We need writers. We need humans. That’s what that strike was about.” (19:46)
  • Parodic existential crisis: “Am I that desperate?” (19:38)
• Collaboration with Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City), “He knows what he’s doing.” (18:34)

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Guest 2: Robert Irwin

[20:38 – 28:20]

Legacy & Conservation

• On spreading conservation in the US: “It’s about creating a sense of unity toward this goal of environmental preservation. Our conservation work goes from strength to strength. Everything that I am, I live and breathe.” (22:14)
• Tribute to family: Gratitude for his mother, Terri Irwin.
  • “My mum...she’s the one to keep that all going. That’s the reason his legacy is still alive.” (23:27)
• Success of the Steve Irwin Gala: “We raised a massive amount for our charity.” (23:43)

Dancing and Personal Growth

• Reflects on his “Dancing with the Stars” victory:
  • “I never thought I could represent everything that I was about...on the ballroom, you know, dancing. But here we are.” (24:52)
  • Emotional highlights: “We did a dance that I dedicated to my mum...the first time I really told...my journey of grief and the way that she helped me through that. To love is to grieve.” (25:20)

New Show: Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro

• On the show's format: “It’s the journey of finding the next new pro. So we have the best up and comer dancers, 12 of them. They’re going in, they’re battling it out...At the end, one is crowned as the next pro...” (26:23)
• Unique Australian filming location: “We shot it in Brisbane...there’s even an episode that may or may not take place with some of my animals back at Australia Zoo.” (26:53)

Animal Stories

• Tells a hair-raising story about jumping on his crocodile “Jimmy Fallon” for research and getting “death-rolled:”
  • “I jumped on the back of Jimmy Fallon...Big croc death rolls me, so I’m stuck underneath him with my arm hanging out.” (27:44)

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Guest 3: Stevie Van Zandt

[29:01 – 37:13]

On Touring, Mezcal Launch, and Life with Springsteen

• Launches maple Mezcal: “As far as I know, it’s the only flavored Mezcal that there is in the world.” (29:39)
• On touring with Bruce Springsteen: “That audience has been with us so long, man...it just keeps getting better and better.” (30:27)
• Conversation about massive concerts and show length:
  • “We used to do four [hours], so it’s nice. It’s civilized now.” (31:04)

Legendary Rock Wedding & The Sopranos

• Shares wedding anecdotes:
  • “Officiating the wedding is Little Richard...He sang When a Man Loves a Woman. We walked down the aisle.” (31:53, 32:26)
  • “You had the band from The Godfather as your wedding band?” (32:35)
• On almost playing Tony Soprano: “David Chase was...gonna decide to cast the lead with a guy who never acted before. And so it came close, and HBO was like, are you out of your mind?” (33:06)
• On Silvio role: “He said, okay, you’re not gonna take an actor’s job. I’ll write you a new part that doesn’t exist.” (34:06)

TeachRock & Music in Education

• Mission: “Let’s keep the arts in the DNA of the public education system, because it’s been cut out, you know, for years.” (34:22)
• Role of tech in education: “They got all the answers in their hand. But they don’t have the questions, right?” (35:17)
• Exciting pedagogical strategy: From Bad Bunny to the Spanish-American War: “Where does Bad Bunny come from?...Now, where does Puerto Rico come from as far as being an American territory? The Spanish American War.” (35:48–35:59)
• Dedicating “Jimi Hendrix Way” in NYC:
  • “We’ve been trying to get that block named Jimi Hendrix Way for many, many years...they decided we’re finally going to do it. That is June 10th.” (36:28–37:07)

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Notable Quotes

• Spirit Airlines skit:

  • “Before every flight, they pass out little propeller hats in case something happens.” (02:54, Spirit Customer)
  • “Are the other airlines worse?!”
  • “It took them forever to add wolves to every flight.” (03:34)

• Lisa Kudrow:

  • “He was a bad boyfriend...She shouldn’t have gotten back with him because he was horrible.” (14:29)
  • “We need writers. We need humans. That’s what that strike was about.” (19:47)

• Robert Irwin:

  • “To love is to grieve. We’re all gonna experience that at some point. But to use your body as this expression of self, to share such a deeply personal story…” (25:20)
  • “I jumped on the back of Jimmy Fallon...Big croc death rolls me, so I’m stuck underneath him with my arm hanging out.” (27:44)

• Stevie Van Zandt:

  • “They got all the answers in their hand. But they don’t have the questions.” (35:17)
  • “If you’re gonna get...Let’s get married, let’s do it right.” (32:13)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Monologue — Spirit Airlines, Trump jokes: 01:13–06:00
• Lisa Kudrow interview: 10:31–20:11
• Ross and Rachel debate: 13:00–15:38
• Groundlings improv & AI sitcom discussion: 15:47–20:11
• Robert Irwin interview: 20:38–28:20
• Dancing with the Stars/Narrative dance: 24:52–26:19
• Crocodile story: 27:06–28:17
• Stevie Van Zandt interview: 29:01–37:13
• Teach Rock, Jimi Hendrix Way: 34:22–37:07

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Tone & Takeaway

The episode blends sharp political humor, affectionate fan nostalgia, and vibrant storytelling. Fallon keeps the mood upbeat and silly, while giving space for his guests to reflect on art, legacy, family, and the future—often with heartfelt, candid moments amid the jokes.

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For more details on TeachRock: visit TeachRock.org

Catch The Comeback finale: May 10th, 10:30pm on HBO Max
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro: July 13th, ABC

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Transcript

[Jimmy Fallon]

From studio 6p in rockefeller center in the heart of new york city is the tonight show, starring jimmy fallon. Tonight, join jimmy and his guests, lisa kudrow, robert irwin, gigi van zandt. And featuring the legendary ruth's crew 22, andy sass, jim. And now, here he is, jimmy. That's what I'm talking about. Love you guys. Thank you. Enjoy yourself.

Enjoy yourself. Enjoy.

Welcome, everybody.

Welcome, welcome.

Welcome to the Tonight Show. You're here. This is the Tonight Show. Welcome.

Yeah. Well, guys, today is May 4, also known as Star Wars Day. As in May the fourth be with you. Yeah, everyone loves Star Wars. In fact, earlier today, President Trump made Marco Rubio dress up as Baby Yoda. I thought that was. I thought that was cute. Meanwhile, to celebrate Star Wars Day, Spirit Airlines put out an announcement that said, out of business. We are. Over the weekend though, it is true, Spirit Airlines officially went out of business when they heard Frontier was like, oh, no, are we the worst airline now? Wait, no, that's right. This weekend, Spirit Airlines officially went out of business after 34 years. Here to comment, a man who's exclusively been flying spirit Airlines for 34 years.

Hi, Jimmy. Hi.

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

Yeah, it's a sad day.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. Yeah. I'm very sorry. What are you gonna do?

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

I don't know. I mean, Spirit Airlines wasn't perfect, but it was a huge part of my life for the last three decades. I live in Ohio and my daughter lives in Oregon. That's almost a 40 hour drive. How are we ever gonna see each other again?

[Jimmy Fallon]

I mean, there are other airlines. There are other airlines? Yeah. You didn't know that?

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

Of course I didn't. Why would I have been flying Spirit if I knew there were other options?

[Jimmy Fallon]

I don't know.

I thought you liked it.

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

You thought I liked Spirit Airlines? Before every flight, they pass out little propeller hats in case something happens. Are the other airlines worse?

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, they're way better.

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

What?

[Jimmy Fallon]

How?

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

How did the pilots not go around taking sips of your drink mid flight?

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, the pilots aren't drunk.

What?

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

Then how do they work up the courage to climb out the window mid flight and tie the wings back?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Other airlines have planes with wings that stay on, what, like, all the time?

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

Oh, this is unbelievable. Spirit has been taking me for granted. I mean, it took them forever to add wolves to every flight.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Why would you want wolves on your flight?

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

To control the feral cat population.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Why was there a feral cat population?

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

To control the giant rat population. Is that not how other airlines work?

[Jimmy Fallon]

A man has been flying spirit for 34 years. Everyone thank you for.

This is the best day of my life.

Thank you very much. Congratulations.

I'm out.

[Robert Irwin]

Wow.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Goodness. Well, some news from Washington. President Trump has promised to review Iran's new 14 point peace plan, but has already said he he can't imagine that it would be acceptable. Yep, nothing says diplomacy like I haven't read it. And the answer is no. Meanwhile, Trump said the US Will start escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Feels like the best case scenario when you hear Trump starting an escort service. Say hello. Say hello to USS Cinnamon. Should be with you all evening. That's right. Trump has ordered the Navy to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. But other than that, there still seems to be no plan for the end of the war. But Trump just put out this update and let's see if that helps.

[President Trump]

It's me, President Trump. A lot of people are wondering what I'm thinking about the situation in Iran. And I'll tell you what I'm thinking. Full maritime liberty each and every day. Under my leadership, we are securing crude refined energy wherever exports demand. But we're on it because my entire staff is completely addicted to turning every questionable uncertainty into logical answers.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Bye. There you go. Well, that helps. And finally, over the weekend, Trump went on a late night meme posting spree which included an AI generated image of himself playing Uno with the caption, I have all the cards. So that confirms that Trump has no idea how someone wins uno. I win.

I got face. We have a great show. Give it up for the Ruthless. What a show we have for you tonight.

She stars in the HBO Max series. The Comeback. Season three finale airs this Sunday night.

The one and only Lisa Kudrow is here tonight.

Tonight. He is a wildlife conspiracy conservationist and the reigning Dancing with the Stars champion. He's now hosting the new series Dancing with the the Next Pro, which premieres July 13th on ABC. Robert Irwin is joining us.

Hey, Beth.

He is a member of Bruce Springsteen's legendary E Street Band. He's also the founder of the nonprofit Teach Rock, which helps bring music education into classrooms.

Stevie Van Zant is here tonight. Rock royalty.

I had a super fun weekend. I went to my first F1 race. Have you done it? Have you ever been? A few times, yeah.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It is unbelievable. I had the greatest time. Here's me with a, you know, no big deal. Just Max Verstappen and Isaac Hajar. Here's me hanging out with the CEO of f1, stefano domenicali.

Whoa.

I mean, big time. Here's me with the red bull team. Here's me pretending to touch the car. Oh, they wouldn't let me. It wouldn't let me touch the car. Yeah. Lower the cam. They said, you can go buy it. Try not to really breathe. So I held my breath and pretended I touched it. We went over with Ford. We were a guest of Ford Racing. They were awesome. We shot a sketch for our show with Max. It's gonna be on Wednesday or Thursday night this week. It was super fun. And I got to go to the garage. I got to see all the cars. I got to do a thing called a hot lap.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Ooh.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Which is. So. I didn't. So they put you in. I was in a Mustang sc, like, supercharged. Some race car. And you just go with a driver. Thank goodness. Yeah. I don't know what. Yeah, I wasn't driving. No, no, no. I was in the passenger. And we went around the track, like, so fast. At one point, I think we were going 160 miles an hour. No, I was. All of my insides were moving to the door. Like, every piece of fat on my body was like, we want out. It was like centrifugal force going. You know, we went out, like, this side of my body jacked. I had abs. I had three abs this side. Double muffin top. It was like. It was amazing. I had the greatest time. And then the race happens. And it's so interesting because you're watching the race. I don't really know where to stand yet. This is my first F1. So you're watching it, and kind of there's nothing. You're just looking at a road. Then all of a sudden, it's like. And then nothing. And you go. And I think. But. So you have to, like, glance up at a. It was so exciting. There's so many. I. Did. They have a thing called the grid or something like that, where they had you go out into the track right before the race, like, and you do, like, 20 interviews with reporters all over the world coming all. Just coming up to you and going, what do you think of the race? Martin Brundle. By the way, your microphone tastes delicious. Yeah. Everyone just comes up like, well, who do you think's going to win? What are you going to do? It was. Was so exciting and so fun. I think I actually brought video of me watching the race. Do we have that? There you go. That's. Yeah. See, that's.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That's.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's what I was doing.

I was like, I got.

I got. We'll be right back with Lisa Kudra. Oh, yeah.

Our first guest is an Emmy winner who co created, wrote, and stars in the comedy series the Comeback. The season three finale airs Sunday, May 10th at 10:30pm on HBO Max. Please welcome Lisa Kudrow.

They love you. Come on. Welcome back. They love you.

Come on.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Isn't that nice?

[Jimmy Fallon]

They love you. Yeah. We love you. Thanks for. We have a lot to talk about. First, I want to get into. You did a thing with Architectural Digest.

Yeah.

Where you went back to the Warner lot where you filmed Friends.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And the Comeback.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And the Comeback as well. Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's kind of insane that you got both giant shows in the same studio.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Well, it was insane. Yes. That the two most impactful shows for me.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Were finishing up on the same stage.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's why.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I know. Because this is the last of the Comeback, too.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Picture of you with the. I think they have a plaque outside.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And then. Yes. Oh, I tried not to cry because I never would have stopped. Warner Brothers put the Comeback on the plaque. That's Friends. That's Mike and Molly. That's the Friends reunion. And then.

[Spirit Airlines Loyal Customer]

Come on, bud.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, no. Oh, no. I don't want to see Lizzy Kudrow cry.

Don't cry.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I'm shake.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I won't. But really, it's got to be just. I don't know how. I can't describe it.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And then also, what you don't know is that my son. I got pregnant.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Gave birth.

[Robert Irwin]

Wow.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And he was five when we finished. But all on that night and not all on that stage, but you know what I mean, it was that time in my life.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Well, I missed that episode. But, yes. I.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Where I got pregnant, gave birth, and. Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And he was five on Friends.

[Lisa Kudrow]

He was five when we left, and he was on. He's in the Comeback, and all of his stuff was on stage 24. Oh, my God.

[Robert Irwin]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

I didn't even realize how much it would be.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Memories.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Kind of overwhelming.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And great.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, and fantastic. The best memories. There was a picture of you in front of the fountain where obviously you made the iconic Friends opening, where you're all wet and dancing in the fountain.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Was that always the idea, to be soaking wet and dancing in the fountain?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Well, I guess at the end. They saved that for the end. I mean. Yeah. Look, I'm all for fun.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Talk to me. Give me the scoop. Yeah. But, yeah, that was.

[Lisa Kudrow]

We had already shot a show, and it was late, and they went. So now we're just gonna run over to the ranch. It wasn't on The Warner brothers. It's a separate thing.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And we're just going to do the openings. It'll be really quick. Oh, ok.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It'll be real fast. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

All right. And it was cut two. Yeah, cut two. We're going to three in the morning. It's going to be daylight. We got to hurry up. And they just kept going. And then it was. All right, now get in the fountain. What?

[Jimmy Fallon]

We're not getting in the fountain.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And who's the first one to get

[Lisa Kudrow]

in the fountain of fun? I don't know.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Come on.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Some kiss ass.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I don't know.

[Lisa Kudrow]

No, no. I don't know. One of the guys. Just to show. Yeah, I can handle it.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, I can do it.

[Lisa Kudrow]

But we're supposed to be laughing and everyone's too like cold and angry.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're freezing and dancing and you're going, okay, we got it. I think we got it. This take, guys.

[Lisa Kudrow]

But Matthew Perry made us laugh. We are laughing because Matthew, like, what are we wet? What are we in a fountain? Dancing?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Jesus, buddy. He unbelievable, right?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Funniest.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I heard. I was reading somewhere that you said that you have a new thought on the Ross and Rachel. We were on a break.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, I'm afraid now to bring it up.

[Jimmy Fallon]

This is scandalous. Get real. Get ready for some scandal. Some tea. What is your take? Were they on a break?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Well, no, but it's beyond that. It's beyond. Break or not, it's beyond. He was a bad boyfriend.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

Oh, you agreed. Look at that. You agreed. I agreed.

Someone finally said it. Yes, he's a bad boyfriend.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Oh, I feel better.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's why.

That's why I'm here. That's why I'm here.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Thank you for this.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, we love. Please, come on. Anytime you need us to.

[Lisa Kudrow]

We did the reunion just like four or five years ago or they were on a break. They were on a break. We were all so like. They were on a break. That's funny, Rachel. That hysterical. True. You know, not letting him sleep with someone and won't get back with him. She shouldn't have gotten back with him because he was horrible. Anyway.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It shouldn't have been about to me.

[Lisa Kudrow]

It's like I don't care if he slept with three other women or no other women.

[Robert Irwin]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

You had to work for. You had a crisis at work so you weren't available for a few nights and he flipped out and you're like, wow.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes. I love this. Have you talked to David about this? He knows now.

He knows now.

All right, we'll talk about that later. Let's talk about the comeback. Let's talk about the comeback. By the way, thank you for doing. You're so funny in this show.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Thank you.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Is your character's loosely based on something you used to do at the Groundlings?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, loosely. Yeah. I did a character monologue, remember, at the Groundlings.

[Jimmy Fallon]

The Groundlings is a great improv troupe in LA on Melrose.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Sketches and sketch comedy.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Sketch comedy. I went there to learn how to do improv and sketch comedy. I loved them so much.

[Robert Irwin]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Shout out to Jim Wise. Oh, yeah, I love. You were telling me Kathy Griffin was a teacher there.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, she was not my teacher, but I learned to teach under her. And she was the most nurturing, fantastic teacher.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I love hearing that.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah, she was great.

[Jimmy Fallon]

So everyone, if you go to school there, class there, you learned how to. And you start developing characters, right? And so this is.

[Lisa Kudrow]

So I wrote a monologue. I was not a crowd pleaser there, but.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Well. Really?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You have a great reputation at the Groundlings.

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Okay.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. Everyone said, oh, yeah, you're the star, man.

Absolutely. Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah. Anyway, yeah, so I had this character called your favorite actress on a talk show. And yeah, she had a short red wig, but it was just to make fun of how self important she was.

[Jimmy Fallon]

So what would she do on talk shows?

[Lisa Kudrow]

So she. So she's like finally back on Johnny Carson after not being on for a very long time. Cause Johnny Carson had this show.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's right. Thank you, Johnny.

[Lisa Kudrow]

She was on this show.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

Oh, my God.

Are you getting.

It's all happening.

[Lisa Kudrow]

What if I start crying over that?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, I'm gonna start crying now, too, because I know then we were actually two lunatics.

[Robert Irwin]

Yeah.

[Lisa Kudrow]

But her thing she'd make a big plea about what's so important to her is saving the planet. And then she was just like, please, people. People, please save the planet as a favor to me. I love you.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Just for me.

Yeah. She's so important.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Like I'm an actress. Everyone wants to please me. Yes, it did feel like that a while ago.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It's very, very funny. What's happening the season and what is going to happen for the finale? Do you know?

[Lisa Kudrow]

For the finale?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Because this is the. You've said this. This is the last season.

[Lisa Kudrow]

This is the end.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're not doing this again.

[Lisa Kudrow]

No.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Really?

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're so good.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Someone saw it.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no. Yeah, we all saw it. We all saw it. But I mean, because you have the perfect ending.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

You think?

[Lisa Kudrow]

I think so. It's so full Circle. And. I don't know, a couple people have seen it that. I gotta go back and watch seasons one and two. I have to rethink everything now.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Ooh.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[President Trump]

Ooh.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Very good.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Well, I make it. You'll be so disappointed now.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Lisa Kudrow]

It seemed like, you know. No, the whole thing was a dream or alternate reality. No, it's not. But just.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But you created this with Michael Patrick King.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Sex and the City.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Sex and the City.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Come on. He knows what he's doing.

[Lisa Kudrow]

He knows what he's doing.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, he does.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And the cast is fantastic and super fun.

[Lisa Kudrow]

They're so good. And we've got so many, like, fun. We didn't have famous actors before on it ever. Because you needed to believe that your character is famous, that everybody's a real person. It's reality and stuff.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You made me laugh because the first. No spoilers. The first episode of the Comeback. You are Valerie and your big deal. You're stepping into Chicago on Broadway.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Cause there's a writer's strike, so there's nothing to do.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But.

But.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Then you realize how much work goes into it now.

[Lisa Kudrow]

So much work. It's so much work.

[Robert Irwin]

Right?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Of course it is.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yes.

[Lisa Kudrow]

But she's not good.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, she's not. She shouldn't be doing music at all. No, at all. And it's very, very good and very fun.

[Lisa Kudrow]

And she pretends someone else's COVID test as well. You're all in trouble now.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No. Yeah. So that's. Yeah, but then what happens to your character is she finally gets the job. She wants to do a sitcom.

[Lisa Kudrow]

She's offered a lead in a sitcom.

[Jimmy Fallon]

So you're like, yes, you did it.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Here's the catch. It's written by AI.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That's right.

[Jimmy Fallon]

So what is that premise of this? So you're desperate, but you go, am I? That I can't do. Yeah, I can't.

[Lisa Kudrow]

No. All the writers will hate me.

[Jimmy Fallon]

We need writers. We need humans.

[Lisa Kudrow]

That's what that strike was about.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes, but it was so. But you play it so well, Right.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Then the head of the network says, oh, no, we've got writers and we've got the. You know, we're good with the wga. We're within the rules.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, exactly.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Within the game.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But then you end up kind of being the producer and the.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah. And then she ends up.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're the most evil person, and you gotta really make a choice.

[Robert Irwin]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It's just very, very funny.

Lisa Kudrow, everybody. Season three, finale of the Comeback airs May 10th at 10:30pm on HBO Max. Robert Irwin joins us after the break. Stick around, everybod. Our next guest is a wildlife conservationist

and the reigning Dancing with the Stars champion. He's hosting a brand new series called Dancing with the the Next Pro, which premieres July 13th on ABC. Please welcome Robert Irwin.

Come on. That's what I'm talking about. Welcome back to the show. Ow.

It's like I've never left. It's like you've never left.

[Robert Irwin]

It's like no time has passed.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It's so good to see you guys again.

Dude.

This is your 14th appearance on our show.

[Robert Irwin]

That's crazy. That is insane.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I have a photo of you. How old were you when you.

[Robert Irwin]

Oh, my goodness, look at that haircut. Look at the khaki uniform. You know what I always say, the khaki is not just a colour, it's an attitude. And it's always right here in my heart.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

All the time.

[Robert Irwin]

You know, that was. I remember that like it was yesterday. I just turned 13 years old.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Wow.

[Robert Irwin]

Hyperactive little kid.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. Oh, you're so cute.

[Robert Irwin]

It was so special. Like, seriously, man, you created some of the most special memories that I'll just keep with me forever. And, you know, as a way to spread my passion for conservation, really, for the first time, to America, it really kicked off so much. So thank you, man. Oh, please.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, my God, thank you, thank you. I want to thank you for what you've done for conservation and for all those animals. And every single, every time you live and breathe it.

[Robert Irwin]

I live and breathe. You know, I'm on so many side quests right now, you know, like, I never thought I'd be out there dancing, but, you know, I feel like at the core of everything I do, it's about continuing a legacy. It's about creating a sense of unity toward this goal of, you know, environmental preservation. Our conservation work goes from strength to strength. Everything that I am, I live and breathe. You know, the charity Wildlife warriors that I have. That's what it's all about for me, keeping that fight going. You know, my dad started that, and it's my job to keep it going.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, your dad Stever, when he started. Here's you and your mom at the Steve Irwin Gallup. Oh, she's cool.

[Robert Irwin]

How cool is my mom? She's the best.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Terry is the best and gorgeous and the coolest, and I love her so much. But you did this. This is. Now. How many years have you been.

[Robert Irwin]

We've been doing this gala for Many years. You know, my dad passed about 20 years ago. Going on about 20 years ago. And every year we host this incredible gala as a celebration of everything that he was about. Of course, the charity that he and my mum started, Wildlife warriors, which is doing worldwide conservation work, but also to celebrate his sense of fun and family and passion.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes.

[Robert Irwin]

And my mum, she's the one to keep that all going. That's the reason his legacy is still alive. It's because of this incredible and strong woman. She is just amazing. I'm lucky to call her my mum. You know what most successful gala we've

[Jimmy Fallon]

ever had is that right?

[Robert Irwin]

We raised a massive amount for our charity, so it was awesome, man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And you did a little dancing as well at the gala.

[Robert Irwin]

I had to break out the giant mate. Get those.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Get those kicks going, you know?

Yes. You were so good. Did you know how to dance? And.

Oh, I had no idea.

I had no idea what.

I was serious.

I was like, Rodney Irwin.

[Robert Irwin]

Have you done it? Have you ever done ballroom? You ever gone into hold? You ever tried that?

[Jimmy Fallon]

No.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Really?

[Robert Irwin]

Do you want. Do you want to try?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Ok, how do we do this?

[Robert Irwin]

This is ballroom. Hold ready?

[Jimmy Fallon]

How do you tell me how to hold?

[Robert Irwin]

Okay, so you come on this. You come on this side. I'm gonna put my hand here. This one is straight. Now I'll be the male lead in this role. Okay, now lean back, head back, head back, look forward. And then we're gonna swivel to the audience.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, wow.

[Robert Irwin]

Beautiful.

[Jimmy Fallon]

My first lesson. I mean, my first lesson.

[Robert Irwin]

Beautiful.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You make it. Thank you. Thank you, coach.

Thank you, coach. No, I can't even. I can't. I watch those dancers, I go, oh, they know what they're doing. It's like unbelievable.

[Robert Irwin]

The work, it's amazing. And, like, their job is to bring and tell these stories. Through dance. I gained so much respect for the craft of dance. I never thought I could represent everything that I was about. This message that's behind everything I do on the ballroom, you know, dancing. But here we are, and it was just the privilege of a lifetime, Honestly,

[Jimmy Fallon]

I think it was. I forget what episode now where you did, like, an interpretive dance. It was like. It was for your mom.

[Robert Irwin]

I know the one you're talking about. Yeah. So emotional. I go. I think it was week five and this was like the turning point for me with this show. We did a dance that I dedicated to my mum and it was the first time I really told kind of my journey of grief and the way that she helped me through that because to love is to grieve. We're all gonna experience that at some point. But to use your body as this expression of self, to share such a deeply personal story through the lens of

[Jimmy Fallon]

gratitude, that was fantastic.

[Robert Irwin]

For my mom, like, that was. That's when I realized, like, dance is. It's storytelling. That's all it is. And I thought, literally every week, I thought I was going home. I had my bag packed every single week. I didn't think I'd make it past week one. Every single week, I'm like, I'm still here.

[Jimmy Fallon]

What the heck?

No, we love you. We love you. But let's talk about the now. This is Dancing with the Stars, the next pro. Yeah, man. This is a great idea. It's cool. It's a big idea.

[Robert Irwin]

It's cool.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Talk to me about it. How's it work?

[Robert Irwin]

Dude, this is insane. So, obviously, anyone who watches Dancing with the Stars, we know the pros on the show. They're the ones that really. That's the backbone of the show. These incredible professional dancers. A new crop of stars every year that they teach. But this time, it's the journey of finding the next new pro. So we have the best up and comer dancers, 12 of them. They're going in, they're battling it out, learning every skill it takes to be the pro. And at the end, one is crowned as the next pro of Dancing with the Stars.

[Jimmy Fallon]

And they will be on the next season.

[Robert Irwin]

And they'll be on the next season. And we shot it in Brisbane. So right at Australia Zoo, there's even an episode that may or may not take place with some of my animals back at Australia Zoo.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It was cool. How are the animals? How is everybody?

[Robert Irwin]

Oh, amazing.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. How's. I know you had a baby crocodile you named Jimmy Fallon.

[Robert Irwin]

I did.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You know what?

[Robert Irwin]

Jimmy. He's not a baby anymore. I named this crocodile Jimmy Fallon, like, years ago. And he's now what we call a boss croc.

[Jimmy Fallon]

He's huge.

[Robert Irwin]

Right. So we research crocodiles.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Not two babies.

Not two babies. Normal size.

[Robert Irwin]

Normal size for a crocodile.

[Jimmy Fallon]

I mean, as you get older. Yeah. You start to put some pounds on.

[Robert Irwin]

Well, I'll tell you what he did. Cause we research crocodiles in the wild to, like, better conserve them. Right?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah.

[Robert Irwin]

So the way you do that, my dad came up with this, is you actually have to jump on them. Right? So I jumped on the back of Jimmy Fallon and he. And he.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, no, no, no.

And get this.

The little.

[Lisa Kudrow]

He.

[Jimmy Fallon]

He.

[Robert Irwin]

Death rolled me. I jumped onto him. I kid you not. 14 foot of crocodile. Big croc death rolls me, so I'm stuck underneath him with my arm hanging out. I've got, like, probably, I don't know, maybe 700 pounds on top of me. And I'm just like, what do I do? And luckily, he rolled back the other way and I was fine. But he's a goer.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Go, Jimmy. He's a goer.

I love that. Come on. That's how you do it. That's how you do it right there. Robert Irwin. Got your Dancing with the Stars. The next show, which premieres July 13th on ABC. For Tonight show after the break, Stick around. Our next guest is a Rock and

Roll hall of Famer and a member of the legendary East Street Band. He's also the founder of the nonprofit Teach Rock. Please welcome Stevie Van Zandt.

That's what I'm talking about.

The one and only. Welcome back. Welcome back to the show. Always great to see you.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Good to see you, man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You're a busy, busy man.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

A little bit.

[Robert Irwin]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You just launched a Mezcal, by the way. Congratulations. Yeah, baby, look at this. I love Mezcal. Thanks for signing it for me. This is a maple Mezcal. Yeah.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

As far as I know, it's the only flavored Mezcal that there is in the world. And we're. We're celebrating this Saturday night at the. At the Hard Rock in Atlantic City.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You are?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah. It's going to be a whole coming out party. Movado maple Mezcal, man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Come on, bud.

Yeah, thanks.

I'm keeping this one.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

I got one for the band, too.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, you got one for the band, too. Yeah. I appreciate that. Yeah. You know. Yeah. You are the bring gifts. You are the gift.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

We're gonna be in all the hard rocks, by the way, across the country.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Oh, really?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah. We got distribution in Jersey and Florida right now, and as soon as national distribution comes in, we're in.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Isn't it amazing, do you think? I mean, we're done. Everything that you're doing is just. I mean, you're a rock star, but you also get to do other fun things. And Teach Rock, you get to do that. You're on tour with you and Bruce Springsteen. No big deal. Just selling out the garden.

[Robert Irwin]

May,

[Jimmy Fallon]

how's the shows going?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Oh, amazing. It's been amazing. You know, it's so nice, man, that audience has been with us so long, man. You know, and it just keeps getting better and better.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You know, I saw you in London a couple years ago and I just. And it was Just everybody singing every word that you're doing and you're playing up there, and you just feel so good when you leave the concert. I feel like I went to church or something. Like I left. I go, I feel fantastic. I'm energized. Like, yes. Sometimes I watch you. I go, I don't want them to stop. But then I go, wait, they're doing three hour shows. I go, do you ever go, like, do we have to do three hours?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Well, we used to do four, so it's nice. It's civilized now.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, four was abusive. That's a bit much. So now you're down to a tax. Three hours.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Exactly.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's amazing that you do that. But you love it.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah, you gotta love it. You know, he's just got so many good songs, you know. What are you gonna do?

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah, exactly. What are you gonna do? Well, I know your beautiful wife Maureen, and you've been married for 43 years now. Is that correct? Something like that.

Yeah, something like that.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

You know, she's a saint. She's obviously a saint.

[Jimmy Fallon]

She's a saint, obviously. Yeah. But you were so cool. You brought us a photo from your wedding, and I love this photo. And you're gonna understand why. So there's your best man. That's Bruce right there. But then officiating the wedding. Oh, there's your beautiful wife. And the officiating the wedding is Little Richard.

What are you talking about?

How did you get Little Richard to officiate your wedding?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

We called him.

[Jimmy Fallon]

What was he like?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

He was crazy.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yes.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

As you had hoped.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. You want him to be? Yeah, I want Little Richard to be a little bit like. Did he give a couple words?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yes, he did that.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

I remember turning into a preacher, you know, early 60s, and I said, you know, let's have a rock and roll wedding. Come on, man. You know, if you're gonna get. Let's get married, let's do it right.

[Jimmy Fallon]

But you also had Percy Sledge at your wedding. Yeah.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

He sang When a Man Loves a Woman. We walked down the aisle.

[Jimmy Fallon]

What?

The real Percy Sledge sang with him. What is going. And you had. Is this true that you had the band from the Godfather?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

As your wedding band?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

What are you talking about? I'm so jealous that I was not at this wed.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

It was fun. A lot of fun.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It's always fun.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

From what I hear.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yeah. From what you hear.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You don't remember?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

I don't remember a damn thing.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Supposed to be a lot of fun.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Your wife actually Played your wife on the Sopranos.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

That's right.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's your real wife. Look at how cool you guys are. Silvio, is this true that you were actually originally supposed to play Tony Soprano?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah, yeah. You know, David Chase was in a mood to, like, break all the rules, you know, so he's gonna decide to cast the lead with a guy who never acted before. And so it came close, and HBO was like, are you out of your mind? They said, no, this is a big investment for us.

[Jimmy Fallon]

We actually have a clip of your audition for Tony Soprano. It's real. Take a look at this.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Let me tell you something. Everybody these days going to shrinks and counselors. They're all gonna sound like Jesse Raphael. Tell everybody they're proudly dysfunction this, dysfunction that, dysfunction my fun.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Come on.

I would have. I would have loved it.

I would have loved it, Tony.

But you were perfect for Sylvia. Did he write that Silvio for you?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Yeah. Yeah. It turned out that he said, you can have any role you want, you know, I said, you know what? I'm starting to feel guilty about taking an actor's job. Cause my wife's a real actor. I see what she goes through. So he said, okay, you're not gonna take an actor's job. I'll write you in a new part that doesn't exist.

[Jimmy Fallon]

There you go. Win, win. Everyone win. Then you created Silvio Legendary, and now you're doing this nonprofit called Teach Rock. It's a great organization. It's bringing music back into classrooms, Keeping it. Trying to keep it in classrooms. Yeah.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

The original goal was just, you know, let's keep the arts in the DNA of the public education system, because it's been cut out, you know, for years.

[Jimmy Fallon]

It's number one. Yeah.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Number two, to try and create a new methodology for this generation, man. Because they're smarter than us, they're faster than us, you know, and you got to give them a reason to be there, you know? Yeah. So we did that. And then the third goal will be to affect the dropout rate, man, because close to 50% of the poor neighborhoods dropping out. You know, keep kids in there, and the kid likes one class or one teacher. They'll come to school, and we want. We want to be that class.

[Jimmy Fallon]

You know what I'm saying? What courses do you teach?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Well, let me give you an example. Give you an example.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Yeah.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

All right, so I picture the teachers these days, right? Facing 25 kids, right. Whatever it is, wondering why they're in this classroom. Because they have a device that gives you any answer in 30 seconds.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Right?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

But they got all the answers in their hand. But they don't have the questions, Right? They got the answers, but they don't have the questions.

[Jimmy Fallon]

That's so.

[Lisa Kudrow]

Man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Come on.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

So the Teach Rock thing is ask the right questions, right? So they'll ask, like, for example, pretend the audience is classroom, right? Okay, so today we're gonna do the Spanish American War. Okay? Who's interested? Raise your hand. Nobody?

[Jimmy Fallon]

No.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Okay.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No.

All right.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Who knows anything about the Spanish American War? Nobody.

[Jimmy Fallon]

No, they ain't.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

All right, so who knows about Bad Bunny? Okay, now where does Bad Bunny come from? Anybody know Puerto Rico.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Tarazan. Puerto Rico.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Very good. Now, where does Puerto Rico come from as far as being an un American territory? The Spanish American War. And that's how Teach Rock.

[Jimmy Fallon]

This is what I'm talking about. Thank you for doing that. Thank you for teaching us all. You're the best teacher we've had on the show. I gotta say thanks for everything. I also want to say a little shout out because I know you did something, you always do something cool, but you dedicated a street in New York City to Jimi Hendrix.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Oh, yeah.

[Jimmy Fallon]

How'd you pull that off?

[Stevie Van Zandt]

We've been working on that for years. My wife worked on it for like 20 years. And we thought we had it for a minute right by, you know, Jimi Hendrix has a studio. First of all, we have a great lesson plan in the curriculum for Jimi Hendrix, of course, but we have. He has a studio, Electric Ladyland studio. Right on 8th Street.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Yes.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

And so we've been trying to get that block named Jimi Hendrix Way for many, many years, you know, and they finally, through the TeachRock people and new York City, because they're using our lesson plans now in New York City, they decided we're finally going to do it. So that is June 10th. We're going to have a nice celebration, and it's going to be Jimi Hendrix Way.

[Jimmy Fallon]

He's got to be remembered right now. Jimi Hendrix.

[Stevie Van Zandt]

Absolutely, man.

[Jimmy Fallon]

Good job. Thank you for doing that. That's cool.

Thanks for mentioning that. The one and only Stevie Van Zand, everybody. For more information on Teach Rock, go to TeachRock. We'll be right back with more tonight, so stick around.

I love this.

My thanks to Lisa Kudrow, Robert Irwin, Stevie Van Zandt, the roots from Philadelphia, 76ers, Pennsylvania. Good night, everybody. Thank you, Sam. Open. To it.

Thanks for listening to the Tonight show starring Jennifer Fallon. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest episodes weekday mornings. Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon. Weeknights on NBC and streaming on Peacock.