This time The Tonight Show, the third longest running show on NBC, got a quarantine rendition. Since Fallon’s show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and other late-night shows have suspended production due to the pandemic, the comedian turned to an impro solution. The low-tech "At Home Edition” episode aired live from Fallon’s home.
But hosting the show in such close proximity to his 5 and 6 year-old daughters was definitely a change from his usual setup. Fallon called the situation “controlled chaos.” The veteran comedian explained to People that “'[Frances and Winnie] don't know they're being seen by millions of people. They just want to play. They know what I do but they've never seen it live.” The show also featured DIY props and hand-drawn cue cards.
The idea to create a DIY version of The Tonight Show from home came after Fallon’s wife Nancy Juvonen suggested that they do something together. “My wife said, ‘We’re all quarantined in the house together, this is the time, you have to put something out there. Let’s do a show from here.’” Nancy offered to be a cameraman and the rest is history. “It’s a good way to get the word out,” recounts comedian.
Fallon's special edition series aims to raise funds for a different charity every night, from Feeding America and Save the Children to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and No Kid Hungry. “It isn’t about ratings or anything else, it’s about—we’re here to help,” said Fallon. The special celebrity guests have included Kim Kardashian West and Jon Bon Jovi. The former vice president Joe Biden is said to be booked to Zoom into the NBC show on April 1st.
