Hosting “The Tonight Show” for 10 years is a milestone worth celebrating, as Jimmy Fallon recently did with a special on NBC. But his tenure at the network actually spans 26 years: “Saturday Night Live” (1998-2004), “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (2009-14) ; and “Tonight” since 2014. In another decade, he’ll top Jay Leno’s run; he’ll need another 20 to surpass Johnny Carson as the longest-running host of the 70-year-old series.
Does Fallon have that much in him? So far, he’s navigated bad press (for being playful with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2016 ) and backstage scandal (a reportedly “toxic” writers’ room atmosphere in 2023) — but his numbers are promising: “Tonight” has nearly 100 million followers across social media, and its digital content has drawn 2.2 billion views across those platforms. These days, Fallon seems relaxed, savvier and confident about captaining his late-night ship.
He’s settled into his place in the world in a 30 Rock corner office, decorating it accordingly: stained-glass Buddy Holly window, fish tank, family snapshots, photo of himself brushing his teeth with Paul McCartney. He spoke with The Envelope from that office about finding his footing, why late night matters — and getting through the next show. You were very experienced before taking over “Tonight,” but Lorne Michaels still had to go to bat for you.
Did you ever ask him why? I just think he believes in me. He knows if he hands me .