Jon Snow’s small talk is terrible
Kit Harrington stopped by Seth Meyers’s desk Monday night to chat about Game of Thrones, which is back on Sunday. He was lovely in-studio as himself, but really shone when he brought his GoT alter-ego Jon Snow to a dinner party sketch at Seth’s house. It turns out a history of brutally murdered family members, illegitimacy and knowledge that “winter is coming” doesn’t make for the best banter. Despite extensive small-talk coaching from Seth, Snow succeeds only at bumming everyone out – and catching the eye of would-be Ygritte and Late Night writer Michelle Wolf. I smell a crossover.
Madonna, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots play holiday
Celebrities joining Jimmy and The Roots to cover their hits on kids’ instruments is an old classic of the Tonight Show, but Madonna’s latest visit feels extra special, with the guys in Hawaiian shirts and Madonna in some ... well, some glitzy dominatrix harness, but also some very vacation-appropriate sunglasses. It’s like the Tonight Show and the queen of pop joined up to deliver a message: we did it, everyone, spring is almost here. And right after spring is summer, everyone buy a glitzy dominatrix harness! Later on the show Madonna the “closet comedian” made her stand-up debut, which was less successful but not terrible.
Louis CK ruined Jimmy’s chance to be a TV star ... for a bit
Back in the 90s, CK was head writer for the short-lived Dana Carvey show, for which Fallon auditioned. “You were a young, adorable little boy,” he said. Fallon appeared visibly embarrassed, especially at the recurrent accusation that he wiggled his young butt at producers and CK after every punchline in his bit, which combined the guitar, troll dolls and an impression of George Michael. Apparently all the women on staff wanted to hire him, but CK said: “Never. I will quit the show if you hire that kid. I was dead against you. You had all your hair, you were in shape ... I was already kind of sweaty, and balding. It was pure jealousy.” He admits it was all jealousy, but says he really, really went to bat against Fallon. I guess it worked out OK.
Amy Schumer tells Conan what we already knew: 2015 is “the year of the ass”
Sure, we already knew that. But being Schumer, she said it better than any of us: with some kind of huge flesh-coloured butt suit. “I keep this photo in my wallet,” Conan said. “What’s going on here?” “Nothing,” said Schumer, “that’s what I look like in Spanx.” Schumer says she was inspired by Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea to dedicate the 2015 season of her show to big butts. “I used to have to pretend this wasn’t mine,” Schumer says, gesturing to her own behind. “You know, I’m just watching this for a friend or whatever.” Own it, Schumer. It’s our year.
James Corden stages Grease at a crosswalk
The Late Late Show is still finding its feet, but it looks like it’s shaping up to be something special. Some of the show’s most successful bits so far have happened outside the studio, with Corden gleefully exploring his new LA home and incorporating it into sketches and segments like in-car karaoke with Mariah Carey. This week, Corden assembled a ragtag trio of excited actors to stage the hit musical Grease at a crosswalk in downtown LA. When the light turns red, the curtain goes up, and the gang takes to the crosswalk to perform Summer Nights, Grease Lightning and We Go Together, complete with choreography. When the light changes back and the cars start wildly honking, there’s an act break. The highlight of the clip is Corden jumping up on the hood of a car to get sexy as Danny Zuko, because “you know, all the world’s a stage or whatever”.
