Jimmy Fallon has been entertaining audiences for many years. He first became well-known when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. He later moved into late night television, eventually taking over hosting duties on The Tonight Show.
Fallon's time on The Tonight Show has seen many highlights. He finally lifted Joan Rivers' decades-long ban from the show following her falling out with former host Johnny Carson. However, Fallon has dealt with his share of uncomfortable moments as well. An interview with Rami Malek went viral for a moment most people missed at first viewing.
Then there was his first interview with Cardi B. Many felt Fallon didn't know how to handle the rapper's outgoing personality and the result left some viewers cringing.
Jimmy Fallon Had Several Interview Moments Go Viral In The Past
In 2018, Rami Malek appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to discuss his starring role in Bohemian Rhapsody. At first viewing, Malek's appearance on the show seemed to go off without a hitch. The interview appeared to go well and both men seemed to genuinely like each other.
However, there was one moment that most people missed. When discussing his role as Mercury, Malek recalled telling those involved with the film that he couldn't dance, sing, or play the piano. He seemed amazed that, despite this admission, he still got the job.
Fallon then complimented Malek's ability, citing a scene in the movie where he plays the piano laying down, upside down, with his arms crossed. "Spoiler alert," Malek responded.
Fallon then apologized and Malek briefly touched his hand in a reassuring manner. After Malek touched his hand, Fallon seemed to have a weird look on his face. This clip has since gone super viral and was shared by many online.
For many years, Fallon has come under criticism for his skills as an interviewer. Some believe his constant laughing and enthusiasm is fake. This clip was used by many of those people as "proof" of this theory. They say that Fallon looks disgusted that Malek touched his hand.
However, there are many who believe Fallon was merely upset with himself for accidentally revealing a spoiler of the film. They say he was simply reacting to his own slip up and not Malek's gesture.
"You know what’s annoying, when people have their own reaction to something and you just have to go about making up some kind of motive to it," one Reddit user wrote. "No wonder so many people have social anxiety."
Jimmy Fallon Seems Visibly Uncomfortable With Cardi B At The Start Of Her First Appearance On The Show
When Cardi B first appeared on The Tonight Show in 2017, Fallon seemed ill-prepared for her energy. At first, it seemed that the host didn't understand her sense of humor.
The interview started with Cardi B making her signature noises, which Fallon appeared to ignore at first. Fallon asked Cardi B about her upbringing in the Bronx, leading the rapper to make her signature "Eeeoooow" sound. Fallon was then silent for a moment before taking a sip of water.
One Twitter user reacted to the appearance, writing, "So entertaining for Cardi, but awkward for Jimmy."
As the interview went on, the two fell into a pretty comfortable groove with each other. She talked about her engagement to rapper Offset.
"He always used to tell me, ‘I’m gonna marry you!’ and it’s just like, ‘Hm, it’s the right thing to do,'" she said. "I knew he was going to give me a really expensive gift because he wasn’t there for my birthday. But I thought he was going to give me a watch or something, but he just went out his way. OK?"
She also talked about her Grammy nominations for "Bodak Yellow," saying that while she was nervous, she already felt like a winner.
"I am nervous. You wanna know something? I already feel like a winner, you know what I’m saying? Because, it’s just like, I never thought, me!" she said. "Like, I already won. What’s good?"
Cardi B's rapport with Fallon developed so well, she even co-hosted an episode with him the following year.
Jimmy Fallon Lifted The Ban On Joan Rivers When He Began Hosting 'The Tonight Show'
After a falling out with Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers was banned from The Tonight Show for decades. When Jay Leno took over hosting duties, he kept Rivers' ban in place out of respect for Carson. When Leno's time hosting The Tonight Show came to an end in 2014, Jimmy Fallon began hosting the show. Fallon also made quite the statement by having Rivers on the very first episode that he hosted.
Fallon was doing a bit where he said, "To my friend out there who said I couldn't host The Tonight Show, you owe me 100 bucks."
A bunch of celebrities then came out and placed money on the table. Rivers was one of the celebrities. After her death, Fallon tearfully remembered the touching moment when Rivers came out.
"We had her on our very first Tonight Show, when I took over," Fallon remembered. "She came out, and she came over to me, and she started crying, and gave me a kiss. It was really emotional and really nice."
Back in 2014, Rivers told Variety she was thrilled to be back on The Tonight Show and shared her well wishes for Fallon.
"It was a double thrill for me to help welcome Jimmy on his first night. The program brought me great luck, and I know it well do the same for him," Rivers said. "He’s the consummate entertainer whose reign as host, I predict, will surpass any of his predecessors."
When speaking about her decades-long ban from the show, Rivers maintained her trademark sense of humor.
"It’s about time! I’ve been sitting in a taxi outside NBC with the meter running since 1987."
