Late Night With Jimmy Fallon - Format

Format

The show begins with the opening sequence as Steve Higgins announces that night’s guests and “the legendary Roots crew”. Just before Higgins introduces Fallon, the camera cuts to a shot of The Roots, who then shout three numbers symbolizing the episode number of Late Night (though other numbers and statements have been shouted in place based on current events, cities if that episode's number matches a particular city's area codes, and historical show moments). As the camera pans over to the main stage, some members of the Roots perform actions to get the camera's attention (F. Knuckles salutes, Captain Kirk Douglas does a windmill chord, and Damon Bryson smiles while flashing a peace sign). Higgins then introduces Fallon, who begins his brief monologue. Fallon often gives the cue cards for a joke to audience members if the joke falls particularly flat. After each monologue Jimmy says "We got a great show for you tonight. Give it up for The Roots".

After the monologue, Fallon typically performs a comedy "desk piece." Some are weekly: "Pros and Cons" on Tuesdays, and "Late Night Hashtags" on Thursdays. Fridays are also reserved for Fallon to write "Thank You" notes to figures that have given him material for the past week. The popularity of these "Thank You" notes has led to the release of two books full of the favorites. He also sometimes has the entire crew of the show write letters home.

After the desk piece ends and a commercial break follows, typically there is a competition involving players selected from the studio audience. These have included "Wheel of Carpet Samples," "Wax on Wax off," "Cell Phone Shootout," "Models and Buckets," "Lick it for Ten," "Let Us Play with Your Look," "Put It In Reverse," and "Hot Dog in a Hole." Occasionally the segment features a group-performance competition, "Battle of the Instant Bands" or "Battle of the Instant Dance Crews."

In the show's third segment, the first guest arrives. That guest usually stays after the next break, then either plays a game with Jimmy and some audience members, or does a skit with Jimmy. Next, a second guest enters after the show's third break. Once these interviews have been completed and the show has taken its final commercial break, the musical guest (or sometimes, a chef or comedian) performs. Once the musical guest has finished, Fallon bids the viewers farewell. As credits roll, Fallon runs up and down the stairs of the studio giving high fives to the audience before exiting backstage.