VIDEO: ‘Tonight Show’ Host Jimmy Fallon Returns to the Stern Show
Comedian, musician, and TV star talks holiday album, Tonightmares, and 'SNL' great John Belushi
October 29, 2024
Plenty of “Saturday Night Live” fans believe Jimmy Fallon is one of the 50-year-old sketch comedy show’s greatest alumni, but when the beloved funnyman, musician, author, and late-night star sat down with Howard on Monday he told listeners he felt that legendary comedian John Belushi was the best to ever take the Studio 8H stage.
“I loved Belushi’s energy. I love that he could sing,” Fallon said of the founding “SNL” cast member, who tragically passed away at the age of 33 back in 1982.
“You guys would’ve been friends,” Howard suggested.
“We would’ve been in trouble, yeah,” Fallon laughed before revealing he once visited Belushi’s grave on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. He stopped by with “Fever Pitch” director Peter Farrelly, co-star Drew Barrymore, and a six-pack of beer. After Farrelly and Barrymore went home, Jimmy seized an opportunity to strike up a conversation with Belushi’s spirit.
“What did you say to Belushi?” Howard wondered.
“I just said thanks, and I love him, [and] I wish he was around … I wanted to tell him that ‘Saturday Night Live’ was doing well and people were still having fun,” Fallon revealed, adding, “[The conversation] was great. One sided, but you know.”
Jimmy and Howard chatted for over two hours Monday morning, treating listeners to a free-flowing conversation covering everything from Fallon’s favorite songs and celebrity impressions to various exciting projects he has in the works, including Tonightmares, a haunted Midtown maze, and “Holiday Seasoning,” an upcoming Yuletide album. Hitting shelves on Friday, the 16-track album boasts collaborations with artists ranging from Dolly Parton and Ariana Grande to “Weird Al” Yankovic and Justin Timberlake. Jimmy treated Howard and his listeners to a live performance of one of its songs, “Chipmunks & Chestnuts,” before revealing he’d also teamed up with SiriusXM to curate his very own holiday station, Holiday Seasoning Radio (channel 17).
Jimmy also had plenty to say about the ebbs and flows of his unparalleled career in show business, from working with Queen Latifah on “Taxi” to channeling Adam Sandler in his “SNL” audition. Fallon would spend six years on “Saturday Night Live” where he co-anchored “Weekend Update” with Tina Fey and starred in a some of that era’s most memorable bits, which he was all too happy to discuss with Howard on Monday. Check out more great moments from their conversation (below).
Mick Jagger, More Cowbell, and Debbie Downer
Playing a Cop in ‘Taxi’
‘Holiday Seasoning’
Jimmy Fallon’s SiriusXM station Holiday Seasoning Radio (Channel 17) and album “Holiday Seasoning” arrive Friday, Nov. 1. Tonightmares runs through Thursday, Oct. 31.
