Attention Colonials: If you’re planning on attending Jimmy Fallon’s performances on campus Oct.16, you’re in for a treat.
GW Today had the chance to quiz—and share a few laughs with—the comedian about performing, his own college experience, and his upcoming shows at the Charles E. Smith Center.
“I want to have fun and have a good time,” he said. “It’s fun I’m doing two shows because I can switch it up, maybe do two different shows. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Q: If you could receive an honorary doctorate from GW in any subject -- and we’re not saying whether we have the power to make that happen -- what would you want it to be in?
A: Well, it’s in my contract that I get a doctorate wherever I play so I’m so excited to see what you guys come up with. Probably something I could never do, like a degree in English, it’s tough, all that reading. I actually type so much now that my handwriting is the worst it’s ever been. With typing and autocorrecting on computer, I feel like I’m getting dumb and I don’t know how to write or spell, it’s ridiculous. Also, English was my sister’s major so she’d be pretty jealous.
Q: There are many George Washington legends around. If you could make up a legend about yourself, what would it be?
A: I’m trying to bring back the wooden teeth. I think it’s classy. I’m going to get Martha Stewart to do a bit about it, maybe a magazine article about how wooden teeth are the new laser bonding. Only classy people have wooden teeth, it’s presidential. Or maybe we can start a legend that the university was thinking for a second of renaming GW “JF” as in Jimmy Fallon University for the weekend.
Q: GW’s unofficial mascot is the hippo. If after some 200 years, our hippo gets lonely, what’s another good unofficial mascot to add?
A: Maybe two giant cherries can run around. If you saw two cherries run around, it would be awesome. And with the cherry tree there’s some kind of connection. People would love to see the cherries come out, it would be great.
Q: Obviously your favorite president is George Washington. But do you have a second favorite president and why?
A: I do think George Washington is my favorite president. He’s so great! He didn’t want to do it and he was like, “I want to retire” and they’re like “you can’t retire.” And he’s like “what? I’m the one saying I want to retire.” And they’re like “no, we won’t let you, just please” and he’s like “ughh,” and did it until he died! He never got a chance to just chill out. The guys a hard worker; I feel bad for him. He was the first president and had to set the example. He had wooden teeth and he lived in pain—I mean, gosh, unbelievable! Tough dude.
I like Franklin Roosevelt as well, social security; he’s just a smart dude. There’s a mansion in Hyde Park, which is close to where I grew up as a kid and my parents would take me to his mansion, and I’d be like “oh my gosh, that’s what a mansion looks like.” It was really cool.
Q: Do you have a favorite college experience?
A: I had a great time in college, I had so much fun. Freshman year is always exciting because you don’t know anybody, you don’t know how to live on your own, and you gotta learn how to do laundry, learn how to use coupons, manage money, and you gotta do good in school. It’s a lot of responsibilities but, man, it’s fun. Parties are great because everyone wants to be friends with everybody, you haven’t picked your favorites yet, you’re stuck with your roommate whether you like it or not.
And you get your little tiny refrigerator, I love those things. They have a tiny freezer compartment, which doesn’t hold anything, just grows frost. I love the door on it too, the plastic flap for a door, it’s just fun. I always had a good time.
Q: Do you have advice for freshmen?
A: It’s not that bad. Life hasn’t even started yet. You’re still young so just get through it, stay tough, stay strong, have fun and try to get away with the most stuff you can get away with.
Q: How do you prepare for performances?
A: I have a set that I do normally; I do some songs, some impressions then just talk about life. I kinda just read over stuff. I almost do the whole thing backstage before I go on, once. Just run through everything so I don’t waste anyone’s time when I’m out there.
Q: You have two shows back to back. Have you ever done that before?
A: A double whammy? It’s not normal at all, but as a stand-up comedian at a club, you have two shows on a Saturday night. I haven’t done that probably in a year in a half or two years. But they’re fun. You get all warmed up and ready to do another show. It’s exhausting but fun. And there’s nothing like college crowds, it’s such a fun gig. I can’t wait to do it. I’m super looking forward to it.
I think my friend Wayne Federman will come out and do stand up before I come out. He was on Curb your Enthusiasm and in Step Brothers—he played the blind neighbor. He’s great, funny guy.
Q: Do you have any places in D.C. you enjoy visiting when you’re in town?
A: Last time I was there, I was at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
Q: So the White House is where you like to go?
A: Yeah, I hang out at the White House. What, doesn’t everybody? I actually went to the White House and got so embarrassed. It was Fourth of July, I was doing stand up on the South Lawn. I got invited by the president and the first lady. I was so excited so I got dressed up in a suit, I walk in and they’re not wearing suits—they’re wearing shorts and t-shirts.
I’m sweating like crazy, and I realize I’m the only guy wearing a suit. I go to meet the president, and they’re laughing at me because I’m sweating so much. The first lady is like, “Um, can’t you loosen your tie or something” and President Obama goes, “Didn’t you get the memo? It’s a barbecue.” And I go, “I didn’t” and a security guard dragged me away and I was like “THAT was my meeting with the first lady and the president? AWFUL.” It was so embarrassing.
Q: Well, you’re not only a great comedian but you’re very musical as well. Have you always played music?
A: I was a big fan of music growing up. I grew up always lip synching and trying to sing songs and trying to pretend I’m a rock star. The older I got the more I realized I can’t really do that. But I can get away with comedy songs.
I learned guitar when I was 14. I got an electric guitar for Christmas from Santa Claus…I think 14, probably wasn’t Santa Claus then…let’s not answer that, I’m dealing with that with my therapist now, I have Santa issues.
If you take guitar lessons two years, you’ll be able to play rest of your life. You learn four chords, you’re set.
There was a DJ called Dr. Demento I used to listen to on Sunday nights, he used to play all comedy songs and joke songs, so I got into Weird Al Yankovic, Steve Martin. I was just really into that type of comedy. So then I started working on parodies and impressions of people when I was in college. I wanted to be the next impressionist on Saturday Night Live—I think at the time I was doing Alanis Morissette, The Cure, Dave Mathews, Coldplay for my audition. It got me on SNL and I was very excited. If I hadn’t taken those two years of guitar, I probably wouldn’t have gotten on SNL.
Q: Is there anything you want to say to the GW community?
A: Come, bring your friends, get ready to have a good time. I’m really looking forward to it, it’s my first time at your school. You don’t have to worry about tests, anything, right now life is good. Come and have a good time. It’ll be worth it..
Mr. Fallon will perform at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Charles E. Smith Center. Ticket prices range from $35 - $75. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 202-994-7411. A photo ID is required to pick up tickets.