On Friday night, television history was made when Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band reunited for a special one-night-only performance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” This legendary band, known for their longtime affiliation with David Letterman, filled the show with their unique sound and style, bringing viewers back to the days of late-night television’s golden era.
Paul Shaffer, the bandleader and keyboardist, started off the night by playing The Roots usual introductory theme music, even down to their doo-doo-doo chorus vocals. After Jimmy Fallon filled his monologue with cold weather jokes, the band blasted off to each punchline, with Shaffer throwing in the traditional “How cold is it?” response.
The two old friends beamed when speaking with each other. Shaffer shared his story of how he had to turn down the call to work with Letterman on a brand-new morning talk show, but luckily for him, when that show didn’t happen, they gave him another shot, the late show spot at 12:30. This time he accepted and the rest is history.
Fallon talked about his times as a comic and appearing as a guest on Letterman, but confessed to Shaffer that he was most nervous meeting the bandleader. Fallon credited Shaffer with introducing the faux laugh to many comedians, saying, “Tina Fey laughs like you. They’re all doing you.” In response, Shaffer humbly said he didn’t realize that he had that much responsibility.
The band knocked out loud, brassy versions of Kool & the Gang’s “Hollywood Swinging” and The Jackson’s “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground).” Fallon followed-up a conversation with Shaffer about his choice for faves for this Grammy weekend by claiming Harry Styles’ “As It Was” as the talk show’s Grammy choice for Song of the Year.
The nicest tribute to Shaffer on Friday came during the “Thank You Note” segment when Fallon thanked the bandleader with a nod to his time on Letterman. “When people talk about legends of late-night TV, you are number one on everyone’s top 10 list.” To close out the show, Fallon went into his own version of “As It Was,” backed by Shaffer & Co., with the host aping the vocals of David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Adam Sandler, Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen.
It was an incredible night of music, nostalgia, and comedy that will surely be remembered for years to come. Fans of the golden era of late-night television were thrilled to see Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band reunite for one night only on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Source: variety.com