Jimmy Fallon: I Didn't Expect It To Be This Brutal! The Hate Was Something I Wasn’t Prepared For!

[Music]. I was just breaking down mentally of. like what have I done? I have I don't. know what else to do with my life. And I. think I wrote a letter to my best friend. like I'm losing it, dude. What did it. say? It's a deep one. Jesus. [Applause]. [Music]. [Applause]. Jimmy, I was reading through your. business portfolio and it's extremely. extensive. You found a production. company, a ride shoes, you got the ice. cream, the tonight dough. But the. through line here is about making people.

happy. I've always wanted to please. people since I was a kid. And in your. eighth grade class, you were voted most. likely to replace David Letterman on the. Late Night Show. Is that crazy? Cuz I. ended up doing that. Well, it does feel. like you pulled that into existence. somehow. Well, I was beyond obsessed. I. wanted to be on Saturday a lot. So, I. worked at the improv where I think the. paycheck was. $7.25. You didn't really eat much. Like, I would turn cardboard boxes on the. street into tables. It's tough. It's a. lot of rejection, but the stage time was. priceless. And eventually, you get a. phone call. I got an audition for Siren.

Live. This was my big opportunity. I. remember going on stage, did my first. impression, and I blew it. That was. probably my lowest moment. It was very. depressing. You'd said that if you. didn't make it on SNL before the age of. 25, I was going to kill myself. Did you. mean that? Yeah, but I just knew that I. would be on Sarah. It was going to. happen. And against all odds, I did it. How old were you? 23. So crazy. Jimmy, I. found some photos. Can you tell me about. this one? Oh my.

god. Uh, wow. This has always blown my mind a. little bit. 53% of you that listen to. the show regularly haven't yet. subscribed to the show. So, could I ask. you for a favor before we start? If you. like the show and you like what we do. here and you want to support us, the. free simple way that you can do just. that is by hitting the subscribe button. And my commitment to you is if you do. that, then I'll do everything in my. power, me and my team, to make sure that. this show is better for you every single. week. We'll listen to your feedback. We'll find the guests that you want me.

to speak to, and we'll continue to do. what we do. Thank you so. [Music]. much. Jimmy, what do I need to know. about you to understand the man that you. are? And when I ask that question, I'm. specifically trying to understand your. earliest context because you're in many. respects an anomaly, but you're an. anomaly that was very, very clear on. where you wanted to go in your life from. a shockingly young age. So, I'm. wondering what gave you such clarity and. what the context was that made made you.

the unique way that you are. Gosh, that's a great question. That's going to. be the whole that's going to be the. whole show right here because I want to. find out. Uh I you know maybe uh um. entertaining or being funny is probably. or wanting to just satisfy people. I. think you know wanting to please people. I've always wanted to please people. since I was a kid. Like I don't know if. it was my parents or my grandparents or.

I wanted to make people feel good and. and give everyone or if I'm at a party I. want to make sure it's the I'm it's the. best party, you know, and I'm giving. everything. I want to make sure. So, it's pleasing or appeasing, one of those. words. But I think I've always wanted to. do that. And that's kind of what I do. now. Do you have like an earliest memory. of that behavior? I think wanting to do good in like I. don't know at at uh sports maybe or you.

know in grade school or or I I remember. I was an alter boy you know. So I I I. was uh at one point at one point in my. life I want to be a priest. Yeah. Which. I thought I think I'd be a pretty good. priest. I would be funny and you know I. could have good delivery. You know. someone said to me once they said maybe. you got your first taste of uh wanting. to be an entertainer from being an alter. boy because you're up on stage kind of. Yeah. Yeah. Technically and there's an.

audience. Yeah. And you're up kind of. performing. I mean, walking around and. you're wearing an outfit kind of, you. know, wearing costume and, you know, so. it's kind of theater in a weird way, but. I remember just kind of wanting to do. good for like be like make my parents. proud or my grandparents proud or there. was a kind of I mean it it all happened. so fast that I don't I don't I don't. have problems with it or or go back to.

it and go that was traumatic, you know? I just think that I was always like a. people pleaser. Your parents were very. strict. Yeah. Very Catholic, very. strict. No. cursing, no sex, you know, very. Catholic, you know, no no dirty words, no my I would listen to comedy albums, you know, and my dad would take a key. and scratch the curse words out of the. record. He would find where the dirty. word was and stopping and scratch it out. of the record so I wouldn't hear it. So.

I would hear Rodney Dangerfield and it. would skip to the end of the joke. It. was like tell and then cut to people. clapping and laughing. I go, "Well, I. don't even know what the joke was." I. mean, it kind of ruined it. I go, "Why. are they laughing?" But I didn't quite. But he would, my dad would tape music. videos, you know, on these shows in. America, you know, called like uh USA. Nightflight or Friday Night Videos, and. they he tape these music videos. He. would watch them on Saturdays and go. tape to tape of what videos we could see.

that wasn't offensive at all or sexually. inappropriate or something too advanced. for us or something. What was he like as. a man? Funny, life at the party, hardworking, very Brooklyn, very New. York. He sang in a doo-op group uh on. the street corners. So he would go, you. know, not professionally, but just that. was one of the things he did in high. school. And then he also fought in gangs. like um not just beat each other up.

gangs. Like I don't think anyone killed. each other, but this was back in the 50s. where they just would one street corner. would fight another street corner and. they got together and just have a fist. fight or something. Tough guy. He was a. tough guy. Yeah, he's emotional. No, not. emotional. Uh, I've never seen my dad cry or any of. that stuff. Affectionate. Yeah. I mean, I got I love yous and hugs. and stuff like that. Yeah. I mean, not.

overly. Not the way I think I am. I'm. I'm hugging my kids every single day and. telling them how proud I am of them and. saying I love you and they say I love. you back and you know I I'm I'm overly, you know, where I didn't have that, you. know, I I think it was just my mom was. more that and I think that was kind of. put on my mom is you're the emotional, you know, you hug the kids and love them. and he was just more like, "Yep, I I.

love you." You know, that's great. He. was rooting for me always, you know, but. you know, a little harsh, but not not. crazy harsh like we, you know. Yeah. Not. nothing that crazy. Gloria, your mother. Yeah. Gloria is my. mom. Yeah. Uh, sadly passed away. Uh, miss my mom. My mom's name is Gloria. My. sister names is Gloria. My dad's name is. Jim. And I'm named Jim. very unoriginal.

parents. Couldn't come up with any other. name. Like th those are the perfect. names for you. But yeah, my mom was my. she rooted for me. That was my number. one fan. I was the golden child in her. head, you know, like whatever I did, she. was like, "That's that's my kid. That's. my Oh my god, you're fantastic. You got. to go. You're great." You know, and she. would always root me on whatever it is I. did. She would laugh, you know. And uh I. I I miss her not being around, you know,

cuz I would talk to her every day, you. know, sometimes multiple times a day and. you know, talk about Sarah Live and. she'd watch the show and see Sketchers. thought was funny. I mean, I would she. was part of. my life and I think part of what built. my confidence even as an adult. Yeah, completely. You talk to her almost daily. as an adult. Yeah. I would call her and. just go, "What's going on?" You know, she loved to talk. That was her. She was. great at that. She had one of those.

phones that had the phone cords that was. so stretched out from walking all around. the house and talking all day that the. phone cord probably was 2 miles long. I. mean, it's it was a pile of spaghetti on. the floor. I'm like, it's so I go, gosh, you should get a cordless phone. You. won't even believe how your life. changes. You can go anywhere, Mom. Uh, but she loved to walk around and talk. So she could talk all day long. But then. she would call me and she like I saw you. on TV or you know if she saw I go I know. mom. I'm on that show. But she was like.

you're on Ellen today. I know I I was. there. I was that was me. I was on it, you know, but she was my number one fan. and. loved bits that I would do and she. was one of the most interesting people. ever and like they, you know, both of. them together are kind of cartoon. characters, you know, and by the end, you know, they both kind of would. couldn't really hear each other, you. know, it was a lot of like what? And my. dad would go, "Huh?" You know, I said.

what? Huh? What? Huh? And they just say. what? Huh? Until I interrupted. Go stop. just stop talking because let's just. move on. You can't hear each other. This. is uh insane. But I wish I can give you. the best story of kind of what my mom. was like. I mean, I remember going home. to the house where I grew up in so New. York after I was on Sarah Live and or. maybe even during and I came home and. mom's like, "Let's go out to dinner.". And I go, "Okay." I go, "But I I don't. really need to. I live in Manhattan.

There's some of the best restaurants. I. I come home because I want home-cooked, you know, meals, you know, but but I was. I go, "Sure." I go I go, "But just don't. make a big deal. Don't embarrass me.". She's like, "I'm not going to embarrass. you. I'm not." I go, "Okay, let's go.". So, we go into this restaurant and we. sit in and we sit down and she goes, "I'm kind of getting a draft." And I go, "No, no, no. We're not moving. We're not. making a big deal. Remember, that's the. deal. We're just not making a scene. We're having dinner like you said. We're. going to go out." Okay, fine. So, we're. sitting there and she goes, "Let's. order." I go, "You're great." And she.

goes, "I'll have this." My dad's like, "I'll have steak." And I go, she goes, "I'll have the lamb chops or something.". Great. So, we're waiting and they come. over with my dad and my meal, but they. forget my mom's meal. They go, "You. know, we didn't put in the uh lamb.". She's like, "Okay." So, we can't really. eat. So, she goes, she go, "Thank you.". As they leave, she goes, "I'm not going. to eat." I go, "You can't do that. because you're going to make a scene. You have to eat whatever." She goes, "No, I'm just I'm fine. I don't care." I. go, "Please don't make a big deal." She. goes, "I'm not making pizza. Just.

where's my thing? I ordered it." I'm. like, "Okay." I go, "Don't make a big. deal." Finally, they bring over this. lamb thing after this whole thing. I go, "Great. Just eat it." She's like, "So, she's eating out of spite." And she. takes the first bite and she. goes, and I go, "Oh, oh my god. She's. not joking." And she's like pointing at. her throat. And I go, "Oh my god." So my. dad sticks his finger down my mom's. throat and he's like and she's like. making these noises and I go, "Oh, this. is a nightmare." And then some woman.

runs over. She goes, "I'm a nurse. I'm a. nurse." And knocking over tables and. knocking everything over and grabs my. mom and picks up my mom and gives her. the himlick. And my mom is making a. noise that I've never heard anyone ever. She was making I've never heard my mom. make this. She was going. like and and then a and she pulled it. and then a lambball flew out of my mom's. mouth and hit the wall and the whole. restaurant is just looking at us and. they sit down and she's crying, you.

know, and she's, you know, alive. And my. dad goes, "All right, let's just finish. dinner." And I go, "Finish dinner. It's. over. We're going home. We're we're. buying a bottle of wine for that lady. and we're getting out of here." My dad. was like, "That lady should have minded. her own business." I go, "What?" Maybe. it was mom's time to go, you. know,, you know, but it was it they were. that weird and funny where they're like. odd people, but always making jokes. But. that was so and it was embarrassing.

But, you know, I remember telling that. story, you know, and she at a party and. she would love to hear it because that. was just very her and you know, she she. she just did stuff like that where she's. like, "H, this can't be real." A lot of. that. Of both your parents, who are you. trying to please the most, do you think? Who are you who are you waiting for the. well done from the most? God, and that's a great question. I. would say probably my my mom. I think.

she she I I would like to make her. laugh, you know, because she had a great. laugh. They both did, but I think of. both of them, I think my mom would be. the one cuz I was like she was a fan of. mine. So, it's almost like going like, "Do you like my new song? Do you like. the second record?". If you're a fan of the Beatles, you. know, like, "Do you like Sergeant. Pepper?" You know, you know, and she. would be like, "I like it. I like this.". You know, that because I could tell that. she's a fan of mine. She's like, "Oh, I. like this new thing you're doing, or I.

like the song you did." You know, I I. think that was great because I could get. feedback from someone I could tell was. kind of studying what I was doing. For. me, being a comedian and being comedic. is. so. so I say this with the the most amount. of respect, but it's so so strange. because it's such a big risk and it's. such a unique career to pursue with very. little promise of it of financial return.

or any real Yeah. Yeah. notoriety. Like. when I spoke to Jim uh Jimmy Carr and. other comedians that I've interviewed, there's something a little bit. Say it. crazy. Crazy mental. Yeah. Crazy about. it. You know, I never and I still to. this day I don't care about money. I. never cared about money. I never did. anything for I don't I I just don't do. it. I never did it for money. And I I. was just I worked because I liked.

working, you know. I liked I worked. since I was 13 because I. enjoyed I guess getting a paycheck but. you know and paying for things but I. don't know what things I was paying for. I was 13 years old. But I mean, I I. liked the idea of going into work and. working a 9 toive day and, you know, doing overtime. And I I I looked forward. to working wherever it was. And like. maybe it was because I was trying to be. my dad cuz he would go to work in the. mornings and then I would see him at.

night, you know, when he came home. But. I I remember just not caring about. money. And my mom I would always put our. laundry in the laundry basket or. whatever and my mom would do the. laundry. She go, "Jimmy, I found $5 in. your jeans." And I go, "Okay." Yeah. Yeah. She go, "Thanks." She goes, "Next. time I'm going to keep it." And I go, "Do it. I could care less. What am I. going to do? I take" She's like, you. know, and then my dad's like, "You got. to start caring about money." I go, "I. don't I don't I don't think I ever will. I just don't It never was a thing for.

me. I never cared about, oh, I got the. most or I I got paid blah blah." I just. loved the experience of it all. the. experience of work uh of any work or any. work it led to comedy as well as you. know when I did comedy shows you know. when you when you worked at the Improv. in LA which is a great comedy club in. Los Angeles on Melrose Avenue you would. go up and I think the paycheck was. $725 that's what you get paid total.

there's no way you could do that for the. money because I mean it's worthless. what's $7 going to do for you. But it. was the getting on stage, the stage time. that was priceless and building an act. and trying to get a persona and build a. brand and build a character and work in. your act that could lead to a bigger act. or a Saturday night gig. A Saturday. night gig paid maybe. $20 a a gig. And that was kind of okay.

money. And they would also feed you on a. Saturday. So, which is great because I. had no food, you know. I was just like. living there going like, you know, I. make got to $7. I can buy some things, but I you didn't really eat much. Saturday, they would feed you. And I. remember my first Saturday gig at the. improv. I go in, it's a big deal. And. I'm brand new, uh, probably out in LA, maybe six months or something. And I. worked my way. You have to do any week.

night, anytime they call, you have to be. up there. And so I did that and I put my. dues in for that and showed up and I had. I did pretty well. I had a good. 10-minute act and um Saturday night gig. and I get there and I see Jerry Seinfeld. in the restaurant. I go and I go out to. the pay phone and I call my parents 1800. collect. Do you know what that is? Yeah. At least just about. Yeah. It's like a. way to make a collect call so that you. don't pay for it if you have no money. So you would call 1800 collect and. someone would have to pay for the my. parents would pay for the phone call.

from LA. And I call my mom 1800 collect. and she goes, "What's Hi, Jimmy." I go, "Mom, Jerry Seinfeld is at the club at. the improv tonight." She's like, "Oh my. god, Jerry Seinfeld. Oh my god, I can't. believe it." Uh, she's like, "This is. the peak of Seinfeld." She goes, "Is he. going to go do stand up?" And I go, "I. don't think so. I don't know. He's just. eating at the restaurant. He's I know. he's a fan of comedy." And uh the owner. was name is Bud Freeman. And so he was. there with Bud. So I go So I go in and. I'm getting ready to do my act which is. a lot of impressions and I'm waiting.

there and who goes on stage but Jerry. Seinfeld. He just walks on they go we. have a surprise for you tonight and he. gets a standing ovation cr before he. even says anything comes out does his. greatest hits. I mean crushing every. joke the famous ones the sock missing. from the dry the whole bit. He did. everything. Then he says, "Good night, standing ovation." And he leaves. And. the guy goes, "Okay, who's on next?". "Uh, Mark." And this guy, Mark goes, "I'm not following that." And he goes,

"Uh, how about uh you?" And he, you. know, there's two other guys like uh uh. Darl or No. He goes, "I'm not following. that." He's like, "Who's Jimmy Fallon?". And I go, "That's that's me." He goes, "Yeah, you're up next, kid." I go, "Oh. my gosh, my first Saturday night, I have. to follow the greatest comedian of all.". I mean, he was the hottest comedian. Might be one of the best comedians of. all time now. I He's the greatest. I had. to follow that was my first act. I'm. like, and so I went up and I had this.

doll and I would do these impressions. about a troll doll and different. impressions of celebrities that would be. the host of. the like this one. Wow. You do your. research. Unless you just carry that. around like that one. So I would have. this doll. Oh my gosh, this is my act. This is So I would have this and I go, "Hello, I'm Jimmy Fallon and welcome to. the auditions for Troll Productions. Incorporated. We're looking for a star.

or sponsor for our new line of Troll." I. would do like a British accent. I don't. know why. I thought that was cool for me. at the time. Probably sounds terrible to. you. Um, and I don't mean to be. offensive. I go, "Uh, we're looking for. a star or celebrity to sponsor our new. line of Troll Dolls for our new uh line. of commercials. Uh, first up, John. Travolta." Then I go, "She's like, I. swear to God." I mean, like, look at his. hair. Like, who does this who does his. hair? Like, it's so weird. Like, what. kind of doll is this, right? I mean, like, I can't even like play with this. thing over here, you know? You know,

Sandy, you know, would do something like. that. And but this time I came out and I. go, "First up for the celebrities, Seinfeld." And I go, "Okay, people. Okay, look at these dolls. They don't. Their arms and legs don't move. These. aren't fun. He's got no pants on. He's. not even wearing pants. What kind of a. doll is this? And it worked. And I. followed Jerry Cipha and I was like, and. that was cool. And then I went down the. list and I finished my act and I pulled. out a guitar and I played guitar with. the troll doll and that was my act for.

years. My name is Jimmy Fallon and. welcome to the auditions for Troll. Productions Incorporated. Remember these. little guys with fuzzy hair. We're. looking for like a jingle for our new. line of throw doll commercials. First. up, you. two out on the street. [Music]. Were you a confident young man? So if I zoom back to when you were 12. and you were a class clown in 1986, were.

you a confident man? What was going on. in your head? I think I was pretty. confident. I wasn't cocky. I mean, I. remember like my grandfather and my. parents being like, "Hey, don't be too. full of yourself." They didn't like kids. that were too full of themselves or. cocky. I was pretty, but I was. confident. In your eighth grade class, you were voted by your peers most likely. to replace David Letterman on the Late. Night Show and you're 13 years old at. the time. Is that crazy? Cuz I ended up.

doing that. Crazy. I ended up doing. that. I replaced David Letterman. But. you were aiming at that. I wasn't. you. aiming at the SNL thing. Yeah, Saturday. Night Live was my aim. I wanted to be a. cast member on Saturday Night Live. Um, which I ended up doing, but then. Saturday Night Live is what got me Late. Night, you know, to which is Letterman's. show. And then Late Night got me the. Tonight Show. When you look back at how. at that age you were aiming, you know,

as a young man to be on SNL, which is. exceedingly rare, but you also went on to, you know, replace David Letterman on the the late. night show, when you look back in. hindsight and go, so if you if one if. your child came to you and said, "Dad, how does one aim at a goal and then. accomplish it? And how did you aim at. such a goal? And in hindsight, what were. the factors that went into you. accomplishing that goal? Are there like. principles that you could transfer to. somebody to make them accomplish such a.

goal? Because you know, one of your best. friends, I think it was Frank Gentile, recalled that you are, he says, I've. never met anybody more focused on what. their goal was in life. It's, you know, I'm not a huge believer in manifestation. as people often describe it, but it does. feel like you pulled that into existence. somehow. I remember just being I I don't. know what it is. I I wasn't that well. read or anything like that, but I just. knew that what I wanted to do I think. from around 12 or.

13 and maybe it's because people said I. was good at it or I was making people. laugh, you know. So, I think when my. peers and my friends said like you. should do this like I I think you're. going to be famous one day or I think. you're going to be a comedian, you know. I think you start believing it and. you're like, "Oh, maybe I am good at. this." Like I don't even remember. watching Late Night or David Letterman. around that time. I knew Siren Live and. I probably did watch Letterman and. Johnny Carson the Tonight Show, but I.

think I started thinking, "Oh yeah, Siren Live will be that's what I want to. do. That's that would be the ultimate. dream." Because that felt exciting and. electric and show business, but also. cool and edgy. And I was like, if that. would be my goal, like how would I do. that? And I remember like secretly if I. threw a coin in a fountain or if I made. a wish on a birthday cake, you know, which I still do, you know, that's not. my wish anymore. But I remember I would. blow out the candles and I'd say, I want.

to be on Saturday Alive every year, all. of my birthdays, any wish that I could. make, that's what I wished, that I could. be on Saturday live. And so maybe. that pressure that I put on myself drove. me to figure it out and see what were. the right steps. I think, you know, my. big. decision, you know, was going into. standup and doing impressions. I knew. the show could always use impressions. and people doing impersonations of.

celebrities, you know, and so I thought. that was one way in. And so I remember. doing that. And then I remember reading. that people that uh study at the. Groundlings, which is an improv troop, uh if they study there, some people go. from the Groundlings Society Lab. So I. moved out to LA and started taking. classes at the Groundlings just in case. that could help me. I also knew that. there was a management company named. Brilstein Gray that managed a lot of the.

people that were on Sarant Live. And if. I could get seen by Brostein Gay, maybe. they would put me in touch with, you. know, the Adam Sandlers of the world or. the, you know, people that, uh, you. know, they they had everyone from, I. think, Belushi on till, you know, they. probably have people on the show now, but I remember getting a call from a. manager who used to work at Broing Gray, just left. Her name was Randy Seagull, and she was great, and she was my. manager. I moved out to LA with a. manager and so I thought she would know.

how to guide me to Ser Live. What are. your parents saying at this time? Because if you're if one's kid says, "I'm going to go out to LA to do comedy. and improv and these kinds of things.". Your dad was a a career man. He was. working at IBM, I believe. Yes, he was. working at IBM. And he said to me, I. said, "Uh," he said, "Look, just. guarantee me two years of college. just just go to college for at least two. years. Uh, I think we made a deal where. we said, "If you go for four years, I'll.

I'll pay for two years and you pay for. two years." Like, okay, that was kind of. a deal for us. And so, I remember going. to college for three and a half years. And on that half of that last semester, I I got kind of an opportunity to go to. LA to meet with this manager. And I. said, I called my parents and I said, "I. think I'm gonna drop out and move and go. to LA." and go for it and just try to. take acting lessons and take class at.

the Groundlings and try to get an. audition for Saturday Live. And they. were like, "All right, well, really think about this. You know, this is really what you did. Who is this. person that you're going out to?" And I. go, "Her name is Randy Seagull. She's a. manager." And I had met her through a. guy that I used to work for in in Troy, New York. I was a receptionist at a news. weekly called Metroand. I used to answer.

the phones and I would also do the. personal ads like, you know, men seeking. women and blah blah blah. And I type. those things out and I remember he moved. to LA to be a music manager. And so I. gave him my tape on his way out, a. videotape of me doing my troll act. And. I said, "Uh, if you see anybody," he. goes, "I'm not doing comedy. I'm doing. music." I go, "I know, but if you see. anybody, maybe pass it along." And so he. passed it along to this manager. So, she. talked to my parents and they got a. phone call where she was like, "I think. Jimmy's got something. You know, he's.

green, but I think if he gets, you know, if he goes to work and puts in the work, I think that he'll get something. You. know, I I I I think he'll be successful. He's. green, amateur. He's, you know, he's not. ready yet. If you, you know, you're not. ripe. He's he's green. So if you're. green, you're you're like uh you know a. green banana, you know. You know, did. you ever give up on yourself or did you. ever doubt yourself while you were out. in LA? Yeah, definitely a bunch of.

times. It's tough when you're just not. getting the the it's not working and you. want to tell everyone that it is. working, but it's hard. It's a lot of. rejection and you end up like you just. trying so hard and you go I know what I. want but it it takes it takes so much. time to get there but in the meantime. you have to take auditions. You you have. to cuz I was like I I didn't want to. take acting lessons cuz I read somewhere. that James Dean would go to acting class.

and just watch and never do the acting. lessons and I like James Dean for some. reason. So I would go and I just sit in. the back of the and watch everybody. And. finally the acting teacher came up to. me. He's like, "Are you sure you want to. do this? Because I mean, you can get so. much more out if you did this and. started working with other actors. I. think you should because you're a. stand-up comedian. You don't perform. with anyone. You're by yourself on. stage. I think you should learn how to. act with other other actors." And I was. like, "Yeah, maybe he's right." Like I'm.

I'm not James Dean. So, I started acting. and then you realize, "Oh gosh, I'm. really not good at this. I got to learn. how to do this. It's a skill to play off. of other people and to listen to other. people." So, then I started doing. auditions because that's my manager. would get me an audition for movies and. stuff. And I think my first audition was. to play a lifeguard in the Brady Bunch 2. movie or something. And I had to say. like one line like, "Get out of the. pool." Something like that. And uh so I.

remember going and my my my line was. printed on fax paper. They faxed it over. when fax machines were a thing. And so I. had and they they would tell you bring. in the paper when you do the audition. Hold the lines so that they don't think. that you're off book so they think that. you have a chance of getting better. I. go okay great. So I'd hold the paper and. I go and action. I go get out of the get. out of the pool. Go. Okay. You want to. just do it one more time? I go, "Okay." It's quiet and it's just so.

awkward. And I go, "Get out of the. pool." Or whatever it was. And she goes, "Okay. Uh, bye-bye." It actually said, "Bye-bye." And I was like, my face got. red. I got so embarrassed. And I got. back to my apartment and my manager. called me and I go, "Uh, did you hear. feedback?" She goes, "Yeah, you didn't. get it. Uh, they said that." Weirdly, she goes, "They said you're uh too. green." And I go, "Okay." She goes, "But. we have to work on it, you know, just. keep doing it and keep doing auditions.

and working on these lines and you. should get an acting coach and go bring. the lines to the acting class and go. here's can you do get out of the pool, you know, whatever better." So, it just. got over and over again you get rejected. and you you wouldn't get parts. I got no. parts. I probably auditioned for, you. know, 30 shows and movies and stuff like. that. And I you just kind of It's tough. It's really tough. say anyone going into. the business or acting or or any of that.

stuff, the entertainment stuff, you're. gonna get beat up. Really, it's going to. be to the point where you're like, I'm. so depressed I can't do it. But just. know that if you can just get through it. and keep working eventually, whatever it. is is going to happen in life will work. out. Maybe you won't even be an actor, but maybe you'll be a lighting director. Maybe you'll work on sets. Maybe maybe. it won't be acting, but it will get you. to where you're supposed to be if you. just keep going and keep doing. I just. kept kind of telling myself that. And I,

you know, I ran out of money. And I was. like, I'm going to have to go. home to live with my parents and. probably go back to college if I can if. they can let me back in. And I think I. even might have looked into it. But I. was just so bummed out because that's. not what I wanted at all. I wanted to be. on Siren Live. And um you know it's just. reality was like oh you almost didn't. feel like of living in this world cuz. it's like people couldn't believe that.

they're like that's not reality. You. can't just say I'm going to be on. Saturday live. I remember going to my. ground's class my first teacher who's. great. His name is Jim Wise and he goes. uh what do you want to do? And he would. go around the horn and people like I. want to be in movies. I want to be in a. TV show. I want to be in a sitcom. And I. said I want to be on Saturday Night. Live. like that's very specific. That's like. it's one in a zillion. That's what I. want. Like and he brought that up to me. He brings it up every like I'll never.

forget that you said that that's what. you wanted to do. And that was my. ultimate ultimate. I said if I do. nothing else in life, that's all I. wanted to do. And like even if that if I. got on for one season or one episode, then I could do whatever I could. I I. didn't care what I did after that. That. was what was the fixation with Saturday. Night Live? I think my parents loved it. and and their friends loved it, but that. was what they would watch and that was. like the pinnacle of comedy. That was.

the best comedy show in America. And so. that was the best. So it's like playing. for the greatest team, you know, playing. for the Yankees or, you know, whatever. I don't know soccer, but Arsenal, I have. no idea. Manchester United. Oh, Manchester. United. You couldn't help yourself. Oh. my gosh. But yes, playing for that. You're playing you want to play play for. the best. If you can make it.

there, that's the best team. Then you. could do whatever for that if you play. for Manu. But it's slightly different. with you because a lot of upcoming. football players would be happy to play. for any Premier League team. Man United. is, you know, of course great, but they. would aim for any Premier League team. ways. You seem to be like religiously. intent on it being Saturday Night Live. Yeah. Had to be that because I think. that's what we we would watch, we would. talk about as a family. As kind of a. family. Yeah. As a family. They would uh. they would tape it. You know, we were.

one of the first families to have a VCR, which is uh anyone young listening to. this podcast, a video cassette recorder. So, it would tape. It's like a DVR. digital video recording. So, it's a. video cassette and you would tape it on. these giant tapes and they would record. two hours, you know, on television. And. so, we would tape the show and then you. could rewatch it and then I would. rewatch it and study it and watch the. sketches over and over again and watch. repeats and watch the greats and watch. Belushi and Dan Akroyd and people I want.

Bill Murray and Steve Martin, people I. wanted to be like. As it got into high. school, I was taping it, watching the. best sketches, and I would go to my. friend's party and show the best sketch. that week and go, "Oh, this is the best. sketch. It's Chris Farley, and it's blah. blah blah." Or, you know, I I I would be. obsessed that way. I be almost became so. obsessed in high school that I couldn't. really hang out with anyone while I. watched the show because I didn't like. it if anyone didn't like the show. And.

my parents used to let me drink if I. stayed in the if I stayed home. So if I. didn't go out, they would buy me a. six-ack of beer and I could drink at. probably, you know, 16 or something or. something like that. you know, not the. smarts, but but they would, you know, I. would hang out with my friends and they. would say, "Yeah, they're gonna have a. couple beers and, you know, but I would. watch Siren Live with a six-pack and. watch it and um study it." And I ended. up just stopped watching it with anyone.

else. I, you know, I guess I still. drank. That's sad to say. I drank by. myself, but uh I became an alcoholic at. 16. Uh uh but but it was it was a thing. that I would do and I would just study. it and I would every Saturday night and. it continuing into college my friends. would have parties and they go you got. to come right I go I'll be there at 1:00. they go you no the parties you got to. come I go Saturday live can't go they go.

just tape it go I can't just tape it I. have to watch it live obsessed yeah I. was beyond. obsessed obsessed Without a doubt, that. was it. That was the pinnacle. Like even I went on like an NBC tour. with my dad, like a bus trip to New York. City and took me on a tour of NBC to see. Siren Live and you know, this is I was. older. I was just so nervous to go in. the building and oh my gosh, this is the. building. This is what it looks like.

And this is the, you know, the the the. the doorway and the revolving door. I. know all this and I know everything. I. know the what the walls look like. I. know what the ceiling is painted like. I. know art deco decor, you know, I knew. everything. I geeked out and I was like, this is the best day just going on tour. there. Now I've worked there for 20. something years, you know, it's my home. I I've been working in that building. since 1998. I don't even think about it. anymore. That's the door I go into work.

Every now and then I'll walk to you know. I I walk to work almost every day but. I'll get that feeling again like oh yeah. don't lose that. This word obsession it. seems to be earlier when I said you know. the principles of all the. characteristics that got you to to where. you are today but clearly obsession is. one of them. I mean you're you're. obsessed to an extent that I didn't. actually realize with becoming a host on. Saturday Night Live. Yeah. An obsession. is a powerful force isn't it? because it. it means that one can bang their head.

against an immovable object over and. over again until the immovable object. moves out its way. And that's kind of. what you found yourself doing in LA. You're sat you're going to these. auditions. You're getting rejected. What. was your mental health like in that. period when you're in. LA? Because you're dealing with constant. rejection. You're you're running out of. money. You're contending with having to. go home. It wasn't the greatest and I'm. a pretty positive guy in general, but I. think that was probably my lowest. looking back. I mean, I remember.

like, you know, trying to see what. therapy was or if I could afford a. therapist or what that meant or why. because I was just breaking down. mentally of like what what what have I. what have I done? Like what have I done? And I' I've kind of made these decisions. and I wasn't getting anywhere. And it. was like I mean I. had really kind of no friends and no.

social life. Just obsessed with work and. obsessed with standup and trying to make. my act better and trying to see if I can. get on Saturday live and having no money. and just going like what is this all. about? You know, I can't I don't know if. I could afford to keep failing. you. know, I can't live in an apartment if. you don't make money, you know, and I I. can't can't afford gas to get to the. audition. You can't eat. You you just. like you just go, "Oh, yeah. I just got.

to keep doing gigs, but I'm running out. of space, so maybe if I go home, I can. go back to doing like these little clubs. and make some money, save up money, then. go back out and try again in LA." I. remember they became a moment where I'm. like, "Oh, I think I wrote a letter to. my best friend like I'm losing it, dude." And in fact, I know I did because. he still has the letter and he works for. our show now. And he says, "I have it. and I'll publish it one day. I'll give. it to people if I need the money. I I'll.

I'll I'll release your letter you. emotionally broken." I go, you know, but. that's what best friends do. They hold. it over your head. He's a sick dude. Yeah, exactly. I'll sell it on eBay. And. I go, gosh. I mean, you know, it's one. of those embarrassing things. I probably. wish I didn't write that. But what did. he say? I go, I I don't even ask, but I think it. was something to the point like I'm. losing it and I don't know if I can make. it and I have I don't know what else to.

do with my life. And you know, something. to that. or effect or you know, I miss college. I. miss my I miss you. I miss having. friends. I miss going out. I miss, you. know, I think it was that it was like. maybe regretting my decision to to move. to LA. Was there anything that this. Jimmy might go back to that Jimmy and. say to him at that time if you could. to a message that maybe he needed to.

hear that he wasn't. hearing? Maybe advice or Yeah. I mean, of course, the advice would be like, "It's going to be. okay." You know? I I I I think probably. the best would to go back and be like, "Hey, I'm proud of you, dude. Like, you're doing exactly what you have to. do. You're doing what you have to do to. become me. So, I'm so proud of you. So, keep it up." you know, you.

know, I mean, I would all the things. that like I remember just in LA and like. I remember like finding cardboard boxes. that were thrown out in this garage next. to me and bringing that in, not dirty or. anything, but new boxes, and I would put. sheets over and they would become. tables. So, I would use that as like. kind of an end table next to my bed, stuff like that. And you go, "Oh, yeah, those are It's creative. You know, it. could you could look at it so sad to.

talk about now and go, "Oh my god, you're by yourself. You had cardboard. boxes as tables and you go, I didn't. think about that. I was just trying to. be that would look nice if it had a. sheet over it and that looks kind of. cool." It was very kind of dormy, you. know, but I think about I don't know why. it just made me think about it now. I'm. just so maybe I mean having cardboard. furniture was depressing but you know. you know I I think that's where you have. to dig and see if you can make the find. the funny in and go like if you can.

perform. now then get ready when if you're if you. get if you step in the ring you're an. animal. Why I'm proud of you? You didn't quit. you didn't you're. really like against all odds. You're. doing something that no one in the. family has done that none of your. friends have done. You really don't know. where this is going to end. And you're. kind of in adventuring into an odd. place. You're discovering all new stuff.

that's never been done. And it's it's. it's it's great to do this because one. day you'll get tested in a different way. and you'll be mentally stronger. And so. I I'm proud of you because this is all. tough now, but it will pay off when when. you need to show your strengths or you. know, it's almost like you're going to. the gym. You know, it will pay off one. day. Like I don't want to do it. I don't. want to run. I don't want to lift. I.

don't want to do anything. I don't want. to eat. You go. I know. But the future. me is telling you this is great that. you're doing this because you're going. to have a it's just going to be when. when you need it, you'll be strong. enough. And so I think I was becoming. stronger as I was building it. And uh I. look back and I I wouldn't change. anything. You know, at the time, you. know, if anything, I you know, I would say I want it to. happen faster, but not really. I think.

you have to live through all the stuff. and go, "Oh, now I remember that. That. was cringey. Oh, that was rough. Oh, I. remember that. That was bad. But that. was a good one." And then you go, "Oh. yeah, that was another great one." And. then, "Oh, yeah." And then you start. thinking of all these stuff that you. thought was depressing then. It's kind. of charming now. And you go kind of I. love those days. And I love the days. where you bombed and that was the. biggest problem. The biggest problem in. your life was that you didn't do a great. impression of Jerry Seinfeld. Like that.

was the biggest problem in your life. Okay. Then I think your life is pretty. good. Like, dude, you look back and go, that was it meant so much to me, though. You know, and I think about that now. with my daughters, you know, they tell. me stuff that's going on in school and. stuff and to me, I'm like, you won't. even see these kids. They mean this will. mean nothing to you. These kids, maybe. you'll be friends with them for life. I. hope that' be great, but I don't think. so. I don't remember anyone. I don't. talk to anyone from my grade school, but. it's the biggest thing in their life.

now. So, you can't say that because it's. like, "Dad, this is my life. What are. you talking about? This is the biggest. thing. Like high school is so slow when. you're in high school. Right now, four. years is a joke. Four years is like a. joke to me. I go, "Oh my god, I can do. anything for four years." When you're in. it, it's long. Four years feels like 25. years. You know, could you have imagined. a reality where you didn't end up. getting on to SNL at some point? So, if. we were sat here now, you're 50 years. old and you're sat here and you'd never.

done it. I would have done it. But so. this is what I'm I'm getting at is. I would have found a way and done it and. even just walked on or something. I. would have found a way to get on it. I I. would have found some way to either be. an extra or walk in the background or do. something or I I would have There's no. way. There's no way. I I'd have to. But. you're saying if I didn't, what would.

happen? or you saying I don't think it. would ever. happen. I had to be on it. I was going. to make it happen and I had to do. it. You know, I don't think there was an. option. I don't think there I would have. done it. I don't think there's ever an. option. I wouldn't ever have been on. that show. I asked the question because. there are areas of my life where I. sometimes reflect and go, I always. thought that that was going to happen. And the consideration that that might. not have happened makes it's almost like. this like then life wouldn't have been.

real. Like then everything I believed. would have been a lie. There's small. things in my life that when you look at. me as a young man and I'm filming myself. pretending that a TV show have asked me. to do something that ended up happening. 10 years ago and I go it was that was. always how in my brain I did that too. Yeah. Yeah. But I mean, I I think a lot. of us performers have done this where. you interview yourself and you pretend. you're on a radio show and you go like, "Here I am. I'm counting down the top 10. songs and here's the and I have.

cassettes of me doing that." You know, I. think a lot of people do that. When I. ask you the question about SNL, you are. so convinced that that's always the way. that it was going to go. And I'm like, that's what I'm trying to I wanted to. see your reaction when I make you. consider that it didn't go that way. I can't see it not happening. I had to. It was going to happen. I I don't know. I I don't know if I can tell you. honestly that I could imagine another. path. I I don't even know if I could.

fake it cuz I would be lying. I know I. would be on Sarah. I have to. I just. That was I I can't even I can't lie and. say, "Well, I guess I could have done. it." I just know. So, how did you go. from that kid who's writing the letter. to his friend saying that he's. considering giving up and seeking out. therapy and those kinds of things? How. did you get from that moment to that. first Saturday Night Live audition? I.

think you get little things, little good. things happen to you. You were going to. use the word luck, right? It sounded. like you paused on the word luck there, but uh I could use luck, but I I'm just. going to say good things. I mean, it. probably is luck. I I I feel like I am a. lucky person, but I think they're just. like uh like you I I think I got a. holding deal at Warner Brothers. television to do like to act for a.

sitcom or something. Even though I. didn't want a sitcom, I remember putting. in the contract. that if I get Siren Live while I'm doing. the sitcom that I can contractually get. out. And they said, "No, that's the. whole reason. No, no one can. You. can't." I go, "Well, that's that's the. only reason I could I have to get this. in this clause in my contract." And they. said, "No one's ever asked for that, but. um okay." So, they put it in my.

contract. So if I was on the show, the. show didn't get picked up. But if the. show got picked up and I got a chance to. audition for Sent Live, I could leave. the show contractually cuz they were. like, it's just no, it's not going to. happen. But so I I ended up acting and. getting a little money which is great. because it actually I could stay at my. apartment and actually still work on my. goal of Sarah live you know while not. doing I didn't want to act in sitcoms. but that that helped.

me take a breath and like okay I got a. couple more months. of opportunity. and eventually you get a phone call. Yes. Um, my manager sent tapes and tapes. and tapes to Sant Live saying, "Can you. know this is he really wants it, blah. blah blah." And so I got an audition for. Siren Live. This was my first of two. auditions. Um, my first one I went to do. standup, my troll bit on stage at the.

comic strip here in uh in in New York. And I remember going in and having my. one outfit that I owned that I thought. was the best and you know some shirt. from the Gap or something and Nike. sneakers that were like such a big deal. I only wore them on special occasions. and this was it. And uh I went on stage. with my troll doll and I saw Lauren was. in the audience. He had his hat on. He's. the founder creator. Yes. his creative.

siren live and now the late night on the. Tonight Show. And I remember going on. stage as soon as I did as I did my first. impression, I knew it just didn't work. if I didn't have the audience. It was. cut down from a 10-minute act to I think. 3 minutes. And I had to catch the. audience, hook them in 3 minutes and. leave. And I started the first 20. seconds. I could tell this is bad. And. it was sweaty. It was a bad audition. And I left and I go and we went to a.

diner next door to the club with my. manager and I had coffee and it was very. depressing like wow that was my this. that was it that was my just for. Saturday Night Live. Lauren Michaels. who's the creator of the show was there. that was my big opportunity and I blew. it. All right, let me figure it'll be. fine. Let's figure it out. Went back to. LA. They said you didn't get it. How did. that feel? For some reason at that point I don't.

remember I was a bit numb I think. then and I think I was. on I was starting to work on my act and. really getting into standup and I just. kind. of kept thinking in my. head I have to get another. shot another chance. at auditioning or showing them what I. could really do because that was just.

not the best that I could do. But it. wasn't too long after that where I got. another phone call from Sarah. How old. were you when you got that second call? 23. So I heard you had said um that if you. didn't make it on SNL before the age of. 25, you were going to I was going to. kill myself. Were you actually? Yeah, I. wrote that in something in some journal. or something. You wrote what? If I don't.

get on Sent Live by the age of 25 that. I'll I'll kill myself. Did you mean. that? Yeah, I did. But again, I knew that I. was going to be on Sar Live, so I guess. I didn't really mean it because I I was. going to be on Sar Live before I was 25. So crazy. I I just I I knew that I was. going to be honest, so I wasn't really a. threat. So funny. Do you know what's. funny is the um actually it's in my book.

behind there. There's a screenshot of my. diary and in the front page of my diary. it says before I'm 25 and it has my goal. written in the front of my diary and. I've published it in my book which is on. the shelf. somewhere. Isn't that funny that I had. the same thing where I'm like before I'm. 25 years old I will have to do this. Yes. Yeah. And it's and and it happened. thankfully. But did you think in your. when you were typing? I didn't say I was. going to kill myself, but yeah, I don't.

I think I typed it out, but again, I was. into computers, so I think I typed it. I. think it's on some file somewhere. Okay. I think I said I will kill myself. Um. but uh I definitely said, you know, uh yeah, 25 was my thing. I started my. first business at 12 years old and then. I started more businesses at 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. And at that time, what I. didn't realize is that being a founder. with no money meant that I also had to. be the marketeteer, the sales rep, the.

finance team, customer service, and the. recruiter. But if you're starting a. business today, thankfully there's a. tool that wears all of those hats for. you, our sponsor today, which is. Shopify. Because of all of its AI. integrations, using Shopify feels a bit. like you've hired an entire growth team. from day one, taking care of writing. product descriptions, your website. design, and enhancing your products. images, not to mention the bits you'd. expect Shopify to handle, like the. shipping, like the taxes, like the. inventory. And if you're looking to get.

your business started, go to. shopify.com/bartlet and sign up for a $1. per month trial. That's. shopify.com/bartlet. And you get the second call for the. second audition around 23 24 years old. Yeah. So I then I said, "Do you want me. to do the troll doll?" And they go, "No, we'd rather you not do the troll dolls. cuz we've seen that already." Okay. Was. that the end of the troll doll? Well, that was my whole act. I don't have any. I don't have much more. That was that's.

all I did was the troll doll act. So I'm. like, what do I do? So, I just kind of. did the troll doll act under a guise of. a different thing where it's like a. celebrity charity or you know, so you. know, I think it was a how you doing? Here we go. Uh, oh my god. You know, my. mom always told me to, uh, get a lot of. how you doing to get some exercise. And. so she used to say all the time she'd. say, "Why don't you go to the store with. your mother?" And I skinny kid.

And I would say, uh, I'd say, "Uh, why. don't you shut up?". That That was the big That was my big. moment. That was the biggest moment for. me. That was That's crazy. That was the. moment in the audition too that changed. everything because I was doing a bunch. of impressions and before I did. that I'm so nervous. But now I'm on the. actual stage and you're there and um uh. the producer comes over and says Jimmy. Fallon go yeah come with us. They go.

just to let you know Lauren Michaels. doesn't laugh so don't let that throw. you if you're doing your act. They go. great thank you. And then they go now go. get hair and makeup. I go wow cool hair. and makeup. I go get hair and makeup. They're doing my hair. They're putting. makeup on me because they're. broadcasting my audition to California. so that the heads of NBC can and the guy. and girl doing my hair and makeup go. just so you know Lauren doesn't really. laugh in these auditions so don't let. that throw you when I go okay yeah. that's what I heard great thank you I go.

get your microphone on so they're. putting a microphone on me and a mic. pack and the audio goes just a little. advice doesn't really laugh so if you do. your thing I go what is this guy's. problem why is he not laughing he's in. the wrong business. I mean, he's in a. comedy show. And so, as I was doing that. audition, I did an impression of Adam. Sandler, which was what you just played. And I remember at the time, it was kind. of new because Adam just left Siren Live. and no one was really doing Adam. Sandler. And I was doing, you know,

like whatever. And I remember Lauren. started laughing and I go, "That's cool. That's a cool story. even if I don't get. sire alive. But I just knew that he. started laughing. He put his head in his. hand and was laughing. And I go, "That's. a good story. I'll tell my kids." I made. Laura Michaels laugh and on on Sarah. Live, on the set of Sarah Live. I wasn't. really on the show, but I was on the set. and uh uh I remember doing that and.

feeling good about the audition. Like I. left that going, "That that went as good. as it could go." You know, that was the. best I can that's the best I can give. him. That was it. And I remember one of. the uh producers, Marcy Klein, came up. to me and said, grabbed my hand. She. goes, Jimmy, that was fantastic. You got. to feel good. And I was like, and I just. felt like, okay, if they're saying it, I. feel good. Then you didn't hear I didn't. hear back for a couple weeks or.

whatever. It's like it's crazy how long. you wait cuz you and they go, "Look, we. like Jimmy. We saw him at the comedy. club. We were looking for a different. direction, you know, for that audition. I think they hired Tracy Morgan. So, they were going in a different. direction, the first audition. But this. one, they called, they go, Lauren wants. to meet you and talk to you. He's going. to be out in LA. And he had an office on. the Paramount lot. And so, I drove into. the Paramount lot. I get my name to the. front gate. It's a great It's a great.

studio. It It feels like you're in the. business. I don't know if you've ever. been to the Paramount Lot, but the giant. gates and you you're it's a movie set. and the gates open and you go to a. parking spot like and there's actors. walking around and it just feels like. you're in the business and it's. nerve-wracking. I went into Lauren's. office. He had like a you know some. office on the on the lot and I remember. going into his office and everything was. white and it kind of felt heavenly. almost and you're just like and I sat. across the desk from him and he goes,

"Uh, Jimmy, do you wear wigs?" And I was. like, "Oh, no. I just I do this to my. hair. I just spike it up." He's like, "No, no, no. I'm saying like for. characters and stuff like do you uh have. you done characters like where you wear. wigs and stuff?" I go, "Uh, no." He. goes, "Because we want you for the. show." And I just think, you know, with. more practice and if you try to do. different PE and as soon as he whatever. he was saying, I couldn't hear. The rest. was slow motion. I was like, "Oh my. gosh." He just said, "I got some life. I.

did it. I got Sarah laughed. It's. happening. I couldn't believe it. And I. go, "Okay." And I shook his hand. I go, "I hope I make you. proud." And I left. And I think I pulled over to the first. pay phone I could get to and called my. mom. I'm like, I just got sized. And it. was like, you know, you. know, you know, it was just, it's crazy. The whole thing is crazy. I'm coming.

back to New York because I'm going to be. on the show that I tried to be on my. whole life. I did it. It's happening. And here we go. And it was like, wow. And I said goodbye to LA and my. roommates and everyone's just so happy. for me. And and then I went to New York and got. an apartment and in Midtown and it was. the greatest uh thing. I took Silent. Live and went from there and did a.

couple movies. I met my wife. It's the. best thing that ever happened to me. And. then uh I didn't work for a while after. the movies and then Lauren asked me to. be on to host Late Night and replace. Conan O'Brien. I did. I worked hard at. that and then I got asked to replace Jay. Leno on the Tonight Show and I did that. and here I am. and I'm host of the. Tonight Show and crazy life and crazy.

opportunities and it's just so. interesting and fun. There was a motion. in your face where you talked about. getting SNL and calling your mom. It's. so interesting that it's decades ago. Yeah. You know, again, like it's the end. of Rocky, you know, it's the thing. It's. like, I did it. It's like, yes, you know, you you did it. That's.

insane. You you you got to be kidding. me. You you you you did it. What we all. said you were going to do, but you went. and actually this is it's. crazy. It's it's not many people get do. this. And I was like, yeah. and to talk. to your mom who was your biggest fan and. always believed in. you, you know, that's emotional and it's.

like it's just this is how can this be? It's just I don't know. It was just un. it's just the whole thing is kind of. crazy. It's it's it's amazing. Is there. anticlimax? No. Because if you aim at that one goal. and put it on a pedestal for that long. in your life, no. It paid off. It was ex. everything was what I dreamt. It was. crazy. Everything. Uh the the announcer. Jimmy Fall and him saying my name. I was.

like dreamt of it. He was really saying. it. I could watch him. I enjoyed every. second of it. Every bit. The internet. was happening at the time. And then. people started getting sending me fan. letters and then web pages and it was. just like you started getting famous. And here's the New York City street. I. walked on not too long ago being kind of. afraid and intimidated. Now I'm walking. and people are going Jim, you know, and. and it's and it's cool and you go,

"Yeah." What weren't you prepared for? Getting. rejection, you know, getting your. sketches cut, being told you're not. funny, you know, haters. This is before. Twitter and all that stuff, which is a. different ball game that I wasn't ready. for either. But you you think that it's. just going to be, oh, this is cool. Everyone will be great. But then just. people not everyone's rooting for you. You some people want you to fail.

People's jobs are to take me down, you. know, and and to put bad press out and. stuff. It's just that's their job. And. that's and you're just like, oo, I. didn't think it was I I don't live in. that world. I don't believe that it's. real, but it kind of is real. and you. go, "Oh, people are just going to be. mean." And you got to again just toughen. up and get through it and just keep your. head down and keep being funny and just. keep doing things and keep keep being. creative and just if you move that out,

you realize it's not even real. That's. not it's it's real, but it's noise and. it's just it doesn't affect you. Uh you. can only believe in yourself and and. know that you have to keep going and if. you keep scoring that will show. your. work will show that that stuff I wasn't. prepared for of of dealing with the. overcoming that you know overcoming. that. Yeah. Overcoming like hating on you or. or you know saying you're not good or.

something. It's like you don't think. that's going to happen, but it, you. know, it will if you're successful. because someone will be like, uh, you know, someone's not going to. like you no matter what. As someone. that's always trying to please, is that. the antithesis of pleasing for for one's. brain who is orientated towards making. people happy? It's the worst. Yes, it is. the absolute worst. You're I hate it. I.

I want everyone to like me. I I can't. stand it. I go, "Oh my gosh, what can I. do to make you like. me?" I think the answer is you can't you. can't make everyone like you. You just. have to do what you do and do the best. that you can at what you do and be happy. with yourself. I mean, like, what's the what's the. alternative? The alternative is you you. quit. You Yeah. you quit or you you you.

change you to be I guess what the person. who hates you likes and someone else. will just hate that then what yeah the. original people will will hate that that. you change and you go oh yeah I mean I. and then you'll hate yourself yeah I. mean there's I used I I love music but I. remember like I love the Beasty Boys um. growing up and there's that one line. Mike D says like um be true to yourself. and you will never fall And it's like.

kind of is the. move. It's just be that's be true to. yourself. Then there's no everyone can. say whatever they want. It's like that's. who I am. How did you cope with that. stardom being thrust into public. spotlight? You're getting feedback from. everywhere. You're getting the good, the. bad, the ugly. You're someone that wants. to please. Do you Did you seek any. professional help? Did you get any. support? No. No. I just kind of live. through it and go like, "Yeah, I think I'll I'll figure it out.".

You know, I think fame was fun, you. know? It's it's cooler. It's cooler than. cool. It's like, "Wow, this is what I. thought it would be." But it's. also at the end of the day, it's it's. the work and the the I than the stuff. that you do and the stuff that comes out. of it where I'm most proud of where I'm. like, "Oh, I get to do this. I think. this bit could be fun." You know, like I. remember we had Mick Jagger on the show. and Lauren said, "Mick, we'll do a. sketch if anyone has an idea." And they. go, "I could do an idea where I'm the.

reflection of Mick Jagger in the. mirror." And I'm like, "You know what? Why don't shut that what?" And Lauren. goes, "Please don't do that. Absolutely. Please, please don't do that." He goes, "It's been done. The Mark's brothers. have done it. It's just Lucille Ball is. just it's been done. Don't please don't. do that." I go, "Okay." He goes, "But go. pitch Mick ideas." I go, "I don't want. to pitch him ideas. I'm You're the. producer. I'm nervous. I don't I don't. know MC Jagger. He's like, "Just go in. and pitch me the ideas." I go, "So, I. wrote out like 10 ideas." I'm like, "Uh,

hi Mick." He's like, he's very nice. And. uh and I go, "Um, you know, I was. thinking maybe me and you uh I play you. play Keith and I'm you and you know um. we work at a you know, sunglass hut or. something like that." And he's like, "Not that." And I go, "Uh, well, then I. have this other idea, you know, where, you know, you and I work in an ice cream. shop, but we're, you know, blah, blah, blah." And he's like, "Nah, nah, I don't. really like that. I don't not I don't. want to do that." And I go, "All right.". Um, and I'm going down the list and the.

ideas are getting worse and worse. And. I'm just like, "Oh my gosh." And then. out of desperation, I go, "Or we could. do something where you come in your. dressing room and I'm your reflection in. the mirror and you're like, "What? Why. am I doing this shot? Done in the 70s. and done in the ' 80s and what why am I. doing that? Walmart that. And he goes, "Oh, I like that." And I go, "So I go. back to Lauren's office. I go, "Good. news, bad news. Good news. Mick wants to. do a sketch. Bad news is it's the mirror. sketch." And he So Lauren was like,

"Okay, we'll do it." And uh we wrote it. in a night, which never been done, I. don't think, when I was on the show. We. wrote it on a Thursday night, rehearsed. it once on Friday, and did the show on. Saturday. And it worked. And it really. worked. It was might be the one of the. best sketches I was ever in. And Mick. was so happy that he like was so giddy. And he kind of shook my hand through the. mirror, which is funny cuz we I'm. supposed to be his reflection. And it. was just kind of cool. And I I remember.

one of those things where I'm like the. room was shaking and I go, "That's. cool." Like, dude, that's beyond what I. dreamt I I could do. You know, being on. S Live is one dream, but now you you're. doing it sketch with one of your rock. idols, you know, and and scoring and. it's great. It's really funny and. everyone's having a good time. Like, you. really like But that's something. And it. was wasn't meant to be. It wasn't. written. It was all just kind of. happened last minute. And you know, but.

those little moments all kind of add up. and you go, "Oh my gosh, this is so. crazy that this is all happening." How. was that? I was looking before you. arrived at all the people you've. interviewed going back more than a. decade and it's just everybody. It's. like Floyd Mayweather to you insert the. name of the person who's at the top of. an industry. You've sat with them. They've been on your show. I was. thinking like how has that altered your. perception of not just what fame is but. like what life is about because you've.

met the best of the best, the top of the. top, the richest of the rich, the most. famous of the. famous. I'm interested, you know, in. people, whoever it may be, whether it's. Bruce Springsteen or, you know, Angelina. Jolie or something, you know, you're. talking to them just. like talk to me about this thing or what. I don't know. It's like uh also with my. show I got to jump right in. I have. probably Yeah. 10 minutes interview, you. know, which is you got to get in there.

fast and you go like I got to make them. comfortable and know that I'm not going. to make them look bad. I just want to. talk to them and go like, "Hey, blah. blah blah." Or I'll make a thing or I'll. just say some joke or I don't know what. I'll do. And they're like, "Really?" And. then they'll be themselves. And then you. go, "Now it's flowing." and you go, "Yeah, yeah, yeah." And then you can get. into the movie talk and you know, you. know, and sell the product or whatever, you know, which is whatever. But it's. that first kind of five to seven minutes.

where you get in there and then you. start playing with them and you start. like if you can get a laugh out of Floyd. Mayweather or something, it's cool. How. do you make them feel comfortable? Is. this You must have something that you. have learned about what it is that makes. someone feel comfortable. I don't know. Oh, I don't have an exact recipe. I I. will tell you that I go in before the. show to their dress room to say hello. before the show. Okay. Just to say hi, how's it going? Then I'll just talk to. them. Sometimes I talk to them longer.

than the interview cuz I we'll get. talking about something or life or some. bit or you know, you know, their parents. or something, you know, just get into. real life talk and by the time they come. out, they feel like we've already. talked. So, it's less pressure. I think. also after 16 years of talking to I've. seen everyone at their highest. I've. seen everyone at their lowest. I've seen. people date people they shouldn't date. I've seen people get married and have. babies and just really fun to watch. And.

it's fun to go back and now even if I. see these people once a year, twice a. year, I feel like I know them a little. bit and you're like, "Oh yeah, Floyd, good to see you. What's up?" Or Mick, you know, you know, how's it going? has, you know, has your kids what, you know, we can just talk and we're caught up and. you're like, "Oh, yeah." And it's kind. of feels like maybe it doesn't to them, but to me it's it's it feels like I just. saw them yesterday and that we're, you. know, even though it's probably I.

haven't seen them in a year, it feels. like I just saw you. They go, "Oh, yeah." How do you stop it from getting. old? And I say this because I um. obviously have been doing this podcast. now, really for about four years. That's. really that I consider the starting. point when we started on YouTube. And I. wonder what I've got to do to make sure. that I never get bored of doing this. I. don't think you ever will. There's just. so many interesting people. Yeah, there's so many people in this world and. it's it it doesn't end. I mean, four. years. I'm trying to think of where that.

was. That was round at the end of late. night for me. I mean, you're just you're. you're doing all the things. You're. you're just expanding. I mean, but. you're working hard. I mean, you're. you're trying. I think just keep trying. If you stop trying, you get boring. tomorrow. But here you are in New York. with 10 cameras. I mean, you're not in. London. You're not in your kitchen. This. is fake. Don't Don't break the illusion. This is fake. This wall's not real. This. is not This is There's a light here. This is all fake. This is all a fake.

thing. This is how This is how you don't. make it old. You don't You have to work. This is all nothing here is real. This. is all a studio. But that's how you make. it now. Get old. This is Yes. But this. is I think how you make it uh exciting. is you you got to put the work in. Don't. get tired. You got to show up and you. you always got to show up. You got to be. there and you got to be there for your. uh audience. And you do that. You you. show up. You you you do all the stuff. I.

mean, you have to. And that's like you. said, it's kind of a seven days a week. thing, but it's every day you go, what. can I do? What can I do? What can I do? It just becomes part of your life. It's. brushing your teeth. It's like, oh yeah, I guess brushing your teeth. Someone at. one point told me I had to do that. You. know, but now I do it every day, so I. don't think about it. I brush them three. times, four times a day. Now I'm like, how do you keep yourself challenged? Uh, is there something that you're doing.

to to push yourself? because you know we. expand around the world. We go to. different places. We have increasingly. more interesting different guests and. challenge ourselves in that way. But you. when I looked at your show I was like he. started with the biggest in the world. I. know you started in the biggest city in. the world. Start putting more pressure. on yourself for any little challenges or. trying something. You go like I've. always wanted to put out a Christmas. album, you know, uh and and and just. come out with and and write original. songs. You know, trying to write songs. is hard enough. trying to write 20.

original Christmas songs. It's insane. And what's what's what hasn't been said? I have an idea for a kids book that I. think could be funny, you know? Yeah, data was the first one that was a big. deal. It's really the same word on every. page. It's just getting your kid to say. dada. So, I thought that no one's done. this. So, I go basically if you get to. the end of the book, it's you saying the. word da so many times that I think your. baby has to eventually just go da da. So, it'll work. But then you released.

Mama. I had to because my wife. and and all my female fans were like, "Really? You have two daughters and. you're not going to write mama because. this is the real truth. Everything is. mama." So, that's kind of the same book. except I changed it to you want the kids. to say dada and they just keep saying. mama. I have a I found some wonderful. photos of your childhood which I adored. Go these photos. You probably recognize. quite a few of them. Did I post these?

Where would you find these? I went. through your house. Oh my god. This is. my Catholic uh teacher, kindergarten. teacher. Um that's Mrs. Fulling. That's. Frank Gentiel we talked about earlier. Friend Steve Tabboutout. These are my. dorm room friends. I would do stand up. with Frank and Steve was kind of the. artist in the group. Is that Gloria. underneath? This is Yeah. Gloria. Yeah, that's my mom. That's my mom in our. kitchen. Um where we spent many a time.

We we parted many times in that kitchen. In November 2017 when she passed away, you said as a tribute on the Tonight. Show, which I watched, the best. audience, referring to your mother that. she was the best audience. She was the. one I was always trying to make laugh. Mom, I'll never stop trying to make you. laugh. And I heard you talk about. squeezing her hand three times when you. were younger and her squeezing yours. back. In a fraction of like public. attention I've experienced, one of the.

things that acts as an insulator to all. of that for me is knowing that I have a. home to return to. And home for me isn't. a place, it's people, you know? Yeah. And that's the thing that makes all of. the noise feel fake and like it's not. real and that there is something real. And so when I was thinking about all of. that and you losing her and her being. the audience, her being home for. you, I I have to understand like how that.

changed. you. Yeah. It's it's it was it's the. toughest thing that I had to go through. I think see it. You know that it's going. to come eventually, but it's just it was. uh just so sad because just she was so. much joy in my life. Uh, I just miss her. Yeah. But you don't. stop thinking about the people, you. know, and you think about all these.

things and you look at all these other. photos and you go, "Yeah, that was. probably she probably gave me the. microphone. My mom was probably here. giving me the microphone.". And when you think about people dying, especially when it happens for the first. week, you go, I'm going to forget about. them and I can't. And you go, it's so. sad. And then the truth is it just you. don't you don't forget about them ever. They will never they're in your life.

You think about them in the weirdest. moments. And you'll hear a song and I'll. hear like Duran Durant or something. I. don't even know if my mom liked Randran, but something remind me of me and my mom. listen, you know, think of my mom like, "Oh my god, can't believe I'm listening. to Hungry Like the Wolf or whatever Rio. and I'm thinking about my mom and. getting sad." But you do you have those. moments when it's like but but it's it's. more happier moments and you don't get. that emotional. You know, if I you know.

want to I can just start crying because. I just miss her. But I I I I think of. the best times and you know I think I. wouldn't be who I am with without her. You know when you say that you miss her, you've said that a few times. What what. precisely is it that you miss? She had a great sense of humor and she. was always, you know, and I think. there's so many things. uh talking.

about probably talking about myself a. lot. I go like did you see the thing I. did or the thing or I want her to bring. it up like that thing you did was great. and then it makes you feel good. So, I. kind of miss the positive reinforcement, the feedback, positive feedback of. something that I did that I kind of. miss. And her, you know, complaining. about something or talking about. something she doesn't like or I feel. like that would kind of give me material. and I miss. like, you know, calling on my birthdays. and, you know, just she's so much love.

She just loved me so much. I do worry about I worry about this. because I I think sometimes we don't. realize the importance of certain. relationships until we lose them and my. parents are getting older and I think I. have some kind of like subconscious. existential fear. that there will be words unsaid or I. will I will learn the hard way that. there's things I should have said, you. know. Yeah. Yeah. You kind of Yeah. I I. think I said everything. I think I said.

everything. Sounds like you spoke to her. a lot. I I did. I said everything. She. knew that I loved her. And you know, it. just it kind of happened fast, which I. kind of hope uh I I think that was a. good thing. I I hope it doesn't happen. slow for you cuz I don't know if I could. take that. This happened really quickly. And so I was like, are you able to. grieve? Were you able to grieve? Yes, I. went for it. My wife was really helpful. with that. She was like, go for it. just.

you just cry and just grieve because. eventually you actually just have to. stop crying. There's no way you can keep. crying. There's no way. But you feel. like there's a hole in your heart and a. hole in your lungs. You feel unhealthy. and you feel like like you have to go to. the hospital that you're going to die. You know, you just have to go through. that and you go and then you. just just get it out of your system. And. then, you know, as time goes on, you. just start be able to laugh at the.

things kind of happy memories, you know, and sad she's not here anymore, but glad for what she gave me. And when. all the memories, I mean, it's way. outweighs the the sad thing. I just wish. it was around is the only thing. And if. you harp on that, then it's too. depressing. Did it change your. perspective on your own work? Cuz it's. funny. I I remember thinking about my. old business when it was like the it was. my entire life. I was thinking if I lost. this person in my life now. I don't know.

if my business would mean the same to me. because in part I'm doing this for them. Yeah. Yes. You still do it for. them. In a weird way. I still do this. for my mom. I I think of her when I do. things. I go she would be she would be. psyched. She would be proud. She would. that would make her laugh. I still think. of her for most things I do. Like she. would love that. That would make her. laugh. That would make her proud. She'd.

be like, "Oh, that's funny." Or, "That's. that's good that you did that." Her. loss, you turning 50. Yeah. putting all these pieces together, it. seems like this might have inspired your. increased concern and uh I guess drive. for longevity and health because we. talked just before we started recording. and I asked you what's sort of front of. mind for you at the moment and one of. the things you mentioned was longevity. and health. Yeah. When did. that emerge? I maybe around I mean I'm.

50 right now but I think you know I I. think about my my parents are they were. never healthy. you know, they used to. drink a lot at the time they smoked, you. know, when everyone smoked. I think. there's a picture of my mom pregnant. with me drinking and smoking. Um, which. is fantastic. I mean, gosh, terrible. Um, but man, I turned out okay, right? Sure. Wink. We see listen to this back. Yeah, maybe I didn't turn out. Maybe this is a.

lesson. Uh but uh yeah, I think about uh. being around for my kids and trying to. be alive and kind of. um uh financially stable for my kids, too. Cuz I I don't think my parents. thought about any of that stuff. They. just go, "No, this just have it was a. lot of fun and like a lot of support and. like we're that was a lot of the thing, you know, but they didn't really didn't. work out. I think I think we bought a.

treadmill twice, you know, different. times, just tried to make it something. that we would all do and no one ever did. it. So, what does that actually mean for. you in terms of your longevity and. health journey? Does it mean that you're. you're going to the gym, you're thinking. about what you're eating? Yeah, I'm. definitely eating better. I'm I'm work. out when I can. You know, I walk every. day. Um I love walking. Um, but yeah, I. try to uh, you know, I don't drink as. much as I used to. And, you know, uh, I.

I get. checkups. Not that I'm unhealthy, but I. think, you know, I I I just want to be. around for a long time. I don't even. know how long I want to live, to be. honest. I don't want to be that old that. I'm older than everyone in my I mean, I. want to have people my age. I don't want. to be 130. Yeah. and no one else is. like, "Dude, that guy won't die." I. mean, eventually it's it should happen. I just want to be I want it to all. happen kind of in the right way and then.

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there. Is there a next chapter in your mind. that you're looking at already? Are you. thinking about life beyond TV? Media is changing so much. I mean, you. were one of the sort of real pioneers. that rode the shift towards the internet. and digital, and you've got more bloody. followers on YouTube and Twitter and. Instagram than anybody, I think, of I. think you've got like 100 million. followers or something crazy. Um, but. are you thinking about the next wave of.

Jimmy? Not not really. I feel like this is a. good gig for that type of aging. I think. the older you get, the kind of the. better the talk show gets. Like, you. know, Johnny Carson did it for 30 years, I want to say. And, you know, I think I. can do it as long as there's an. audience. And I feel like there is. always going to be an audience. I feel. like I know everyone's like, "TV is. dying. You know, the ratings are dying.".

But I don't think it is. I think TV is. just as powerful as it ever was. I think. they're making some of the best. entertainment, the best shows are on. television. If you call it something. else, if you call it Netflix or if you. call it, you know, live podcast or. whatever it is, you're still watching, you need entertainment. And thank God. for entertainment because you just find. yourself when. you're when you're needing some out. outlet or creative or something or even.

a break, whatever you want to call it, meditation. Television is there for you. You can turn on television, watch a. movie, watch a show, and you're like, "Ah, this is great. For an hour of my. life, I don't have to think about my. problems. I'm thinking about their. problems." or watching a reality show, whatever show you it is you're watching, but your brain's moving. It's not like. your brain's shut off. You're you're. listening to this podcast. It's not. you're not just zoning out going, you're. actually thinking while you're listening. to this and this is changing the way you.

think. You may not agree that I think. you might think, oh, television's over. what, but that's interesting. It's still. your brain's moving and this is fun for. people to listen to. And this is I think. entertainment is always going to be. there. has to be around. And I think. it's it's just in it it it's moving this. way and that way, but I still feel like. eventually there's a screen in your. house or wherever you're living that. you're going to want to see things on.

You know, whether it's going to be. through your eyeglasses or if it's going. to be through your, you know, contact. lenses or uh your phone or whatever it. is, you know, I don't think it's going. to be the Apple goggles, but they have. to try. Outside of um TV, you're very. busy. I was reading through your. business portfolio and it's extremely. extensive. You founded a production. company. Oh, yeah. Producing several. shows, series, films. You made a comedy. a series of comedy albums. Yeah. The.

last one was called Holiday Seasoning, which I I it's a it's a Christmas album, but I I wanted to create like a new verb. like, hey, we're all we're all holiday. seasoning. Like, are you holiday. seasoning? I'm celebrating Hanukkah. I'm, you know, I'm celebrating Quanza. We're all holiday seasoning. Uh, it. didn't take off, but you know what? Maybe in the future, maybe, you know, at. 2050, people will all be saying, "Hey, are you holiday seasoning?" You know, yeah, we're all I don't know. I didn't I.

don't know if I created what I wanted to. on that one, but but you got the ice. cream, the Tonight D. Tonight dough ice. cream. We've raised a lot of money for. uh Serious Fun, which is a great. charity. It's a great ice cream, by the. way, but it's actually goes to a great. cause, so it's win-win. Beautiful. I was. reading about it before. It's really. cool. Yeah. And outside of that, there's. lots of other things from uh a ride at. the Universal Studios to spinnies to. Yeah, we got our own roller coaster.

Yeah. Crazy. Gob God stompers skate. shoes. Yes. Gobstoppers were a sneaker. that um we came up with that the more. you wear them, the more the leather. wears down and they become different. colors. So eventually every pair of. shoes. become unique to that person. There's no. two pairs of the same shoe. The through. line here, Jimmy, is about making people. happy. from rides to ice cream to the. creativity and the fun of the products.

that you've made. That's appears to be. the through line. I like that. Yeah. But. that's the through line of your life in. many respects. It's it's a really. relentless attempt to to please others. and to make people smile and to make. them happy. Yeah, I I I do. I like that. I like making people happy. It it makes. me happy. And now you've got two beautiful. children. It's the greatest thing. You're a dad. It's the greatest thing. I'm a dad. Can.

you believe that? This guy would be This. guy would be a dad. This guy would be a. dad. This is silliest. And I I think I'm. a good dad. Uh they're the best kids. I. love them so much. They're so fun. They're funny. They They make jokes. They're interesting. They're interested. How did that shift the meaning of life. for you becoming a father? Because I I'm. in the process of hopefully having. children at some point. I'm I'm trying. You I'll tell you one thing that.

surprised me. I I don't want to tell you. about your own kids cuz no. spoilers. You're going to you're just. going to figure it all out. And when. they get to a certain age, we'll talk. and you be like, "Dude, and they go, "Yeah, of course." I didn't I didn't. want to ruin it for you. It's it's. great. It's a lot. It's great. Um, but. the one thing I didn't think I would. happen to me is I like other kids more. I I actually appreciate other kids and. they go, "Hey, are you not sharing with. that or that kid's got no friends, go.

talk to that kid or cuz you go that. could happen to me, my kid." So you. start thinking about other hey no no no. no be nice to him or he's you know it's. like you and then the screaming baby in. the restaurant that once when you were. younger you go like will you shut that. baby up now you go like dude give me the. kid I'll take the kid for a walk I will. shut the baby will cut I understand what. it's like to get out and be a parent and. you don't want the kid to cry and I I. get all that now and you go oh I'm much.

more patient with that. What advice. would you give your two daughters for. life? A life. well-lived. They said, "Dad, listen. How. do we how do we live a good. life?" Be nice to. people. Give when you. can. Make people smile. What if they say, "Dad, I I want to know how to be.

successful." Then go do what you want to. do. I think that will make make you. successful. Do what you want to. do. If you do what you want to do, you'll be. successful. How are you misunderstood? Because we're all misunderstood in some. way, you know? Maybe someone that. laughs at everything. I don't really.

laugh at everything. I do have a good. time, but I don't laugh at everything. I. think one way I'm misunderstood is maybe. people don't think that I know what I'm. doing or that I, you know, I'm just. living through life like I don't know. what's going on. But I do know what's. going on. And uh I do care and and I I I. put a lot of work into what I do and I. really put a lot of thought and care. into things that I put out. What does. your gravestone say, Jimmy? If you could.

write it yourself, I would. say he had a good. time. That's not bad. I like. that. Jimmy, thank thank you for. doing what you do. Um, it's uh it's so. unbelievably apparent to to me as. someone that's just spent a little bit. of time for you that in your. heart you are an.

incredibly pure, well-intentioned, happy, radiant person who has a really. authentic. desire to spread that to other people. and in fact gains a tremendous amount of. energy and happiness from making people. like me and everyone that you met in my. team behind the scenes happy. And we. need more people like that in the world, especially in times like these where. there's so much division and the the. internet is an absolute war zone. It. feels like everybody's frankly losing if. I'm being honest because everybody's.

just firing shots at each other on both. sides of the aisle, but just generally. just all sides of life. So, it's. wonderful to have people in the world. and safe spaces and fun places that. maintain a bubble of happiness and joy. and humor. And you're one of those. incredible spaces on the internet, but. just generally in life as well. So, thank you. It's such an honor to have. spent time with you and you're someone. that I've looked up to forever. You. know, I've you've been on screen for. most of my adult life and I've before I. was interviewing people and I had the. privilege of doing this. So, you're one.

of my idols as well and so thank you for. that as well. It's been um tremendous. honor and I feel somewhat it's it's. incredible that I'm like in New York and. I'm sat across from you. It's really. something special. Keep doing what. you're doing. You're great. You're. fantastic. And I had the greatest time. It was so fun. I want to say thank you. to every camera. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank. you. Thank you. Thank you. We have a. closing tradition. Oh. Where the last. guests leaves a question for the next. guest not knowing who they're leaving it. for. and we'll ask you to do the same.

The question left for you is an. interesting one. It was how would your. view of yourself. change and how would your behavior. change if you learned beyond doubt that. reality is not objective but exists. only in what you do and your. actions. God, the edibles kicked in. whoever wrote that one. It's a deep one.

Jesus. I wouldn't be. shocked. I I wouldn't be shocked. I go, "Wow." I I probably would take credit. for it. I'd probably say, "I knew. that." And then you go, "Wait, what? You. knew that?" You go, "Yeah, I wouldn't be. shocked if if all of this was just my. based on what I'm doing." It's. fascinating I if that's the real truth. How fascinating that what a great. experiment this was and I.

hope I can't I hope I I passed and again. I'm a people pleaser. I I whoever is. playing this game I hope they're. enjoying the game they're playing. I. sometimes think it's a simulation and we. we think we've like banned that as a. conversation and someone's playing us. Yeah. They're just like messing around. It would make sense. But do do you think. whoever's playing us is enjoying. themselves? Like we're we're good. characters. Maybe they like started the. game and they've like wandered off and. they'll Oh no. It's like Toy Story. They.

don't play us anymore. Yeah. They just. like they're off into things and they. like forgot and we're like [ __ ]. around. Yeah. And then they go I didn't. play that in so long. Jimmy Fallon game. Oh god. Ste the No, we don't I didn't. play that game anymore. Yeah. No, I had. him create a business. They forgot to. turn it off. Gosh. But yeah. Well, hopefully that you. don't have to use You don't have to play. me anymore. I'm going to get to the next. level. You will, Jimmy. Thank you. You're the best. This was so fun. Thank. you so much. I really enjoyed it. Thank. you so much. Thank you so much. Thanks.

for having me in your in your kitchen. Oh my god. Really? I like what you've. done with the place. This has always blown my mind a little. bit. 53% of you that listen to this show. regularly haven't yet subscribed to the. show. So, could I ask you for a favor? If you like the show and you like what. we do here and you want to support us, the free simple way that you can do just. that is by hitting the subscribe button. And my commitment to you is if you do. that then I'll do everything in my. power, me and my team, to make sure that. this show is better for you every single. week. We'll listen to your feedback.

We'll find the guests that you want me. to speak to and we'll continue to do. what we do. Thank you so much. [Music]. Where? [Music].