Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Videos: Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell & Kristen Wiig Star In World's Silliest Quarantine Soap Opera
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 9, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
NBC
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 9, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
During the Trump era, Jimmy Fallon has lost a step in the ratings to competitors like Stephen Colbert, partially because Fallon has always seemed uncomfortable with any darker or more political material that veers from his playful, moderate style. But since the quarantine began, Fallon has had a resurgence, partially due to his natural charm and willingness to bring his wife and daughters into the show. It's somewhat cutesy at times, but also far more in sync with what the viewing public seems to want from late night hosts right now, which is, most of all, sincerity, comfort and a glimpse at their unadorned real lives.
A great example of this was on display this week when his interview with Russell Wilson and Ciara was interrupted by his daughter Winnie, who just lost a tooth.
But my favorite thing he did this week came last night, when he enlisted Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig for an exceedingly silly social distancing soap opera, The Longest Days of Our Lives.
Colbert has also been excellent, though in a slightly different way: he's been able to balance serious discussions with serious people about the impact of coronavirus on our lives with a steady stream of assurances amidst lots of jokes. Which is probably why Bernie Sanders chose to go on his show yesterday after announcing he was dropping out of the presidential race.
Colbert also had a crossover interview with the manically funny Conan O'Brien—anytime you get Colbert and O'Brien riffing off each other, making each other crack up, is worth watching.
Seth Meyers has maintained his always great "A Closer Look" segments, yesterday looking at how Trump continues to speculate about an unproven medical treatment for coronavirus, even after ignoring repeated warnings about the threat of a pandemic.
Meyers also got a little more personal with a tribute to longtime SNL musical producer Hal Willner, as well as beloved songwriter John Prine, both of whom died this week of complications from coronavirus.
O'Brien had a must-watch interview with the one-and-only Tracy Morgan, which was just as unhinged as you'd hope.
Samantha Bee, who has the most notable broadcast set up, has continued to hit hard at Trump in her monologues.
Trevor Noah examined why coronavirus is disproportionately hurting the black community.
And lastly, in case you missed it, SNL released a behind-the-scenes video with John Mulaney in which he reminisces about trying out for the show, hanging out with Lorne Michaels, and eventually returned to host.
Tagged
the late show with stephen colbert
stephen colbert
conan o'brien
jimmy fallon
the tonight show
late night
television
tv
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 12:55 p.m. ET
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .