In the last few weeks, media attention has focused on Jay Leno’s exit from The Tonight Show, even though at the same time, Jimmy Fallon was winding down Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. The focus was understandable, considering that NBC was merely moving Fallon down the hall to take a seat behind the desk at The Tonight Show. Last night on Late Night, Jimmy Fallon had an appropriately subdued farewell show that recognized a chapter was ending, not a book. Still, the show featured a number of nice moments. One of the highlights, which illustrated Fallon’s intelligence and respect for history, was going out with a nod the The Band‘s famous last bow, The Last Waltz (1978).
Before Late Night closed with Fallon walking down the hall to The Tonight Show studio, the final musical performance on a show known for music featured Fallon playing drums with the Muppets as the group performed “The Weight.” The video recreated the look of The Band’s own performance of the song in The Last Waltz, the Martin Scorsese directed documentary about The Band’s final show. Fallon, always respectful of his audience’s intelligence, made no reference to The Last Waltz, recognizing folks would either get the reference or just enjoy the song. Check it out.
The filming of the musical performance even echos the look and lighting of The Last Waltz performance, starting with the opening shot of Fallon playing drums and singing in the place of the late great Levon Helm. Check out the song from The Last Waltz, a performance that also featured Mavis Staples and The Staple Singers:
Earlier in his final Late Night show, Fallon also told a little Muppet history, explaining how many years ago when Jim Henson and Frank Oz had visited the studio, the two had painted characters on some exposed pipes. Fallon discussed how when he took over the show, they had remodeled so the paintings could be seen by more people.
In the Late Night time slot, Fallon already has set a high bar for himself as he transfers to the earlier more high-profile show. From fun performances like this one of “The Weight,” incorporating a classic music and movie reference that respected the intelligence of his audience, I am betting Fallon will be hosting The Tonight Show for a long time.
What do you think of Fallon taking over The Tonight Show? Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)