- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Comment
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Tumblr
The Hollywood Reporter's Late-Night Lately is a one-stop shop for all of the most memorable moments of late-night TV, coming to you each Saturday morning to ease you into your weekend.
So fill up your coffee, set your DVR for the week and sit back. Below are a few of the week's best, funniest and strangest late-night moments you can't afford to miss.
This week: Samantha Bee took aim at Fox Nation during TBS' Full Frontal; NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon welcomed the Voice coaches to sing a medley of their hits alongside The Roots for a fun number; and other late-night hosts reacted to Michael Cohen's three-year prison sentence. Also, Sean Hayes and The Late, Late Show's James Corden got in the holiday spirit by performing their rendition of "Little Drummer Boy"; Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly reflected on their friendship while sharing an emotional duet of "Reunited" on The Tonight Show; and hosts dissected President Donald Trump's new search for a new chief of staff.
— Compiled by Jennifer Konerman and Lexy Perez
-
Samantha Bee Tears Into Fox Nation
Samantha Bee opened Full Frontal on Wednesday by reviewing Fox Nation, the new youth-targeting streaming service from Fox News that debuted Nov. 27.
"It's like television, Grandpa, but you get it on the smaller screen that you use for writing racism on Facebook," Bee said at the top of her monologue, making a crack at Fox News' traditionally older audience. She continued, noting that it is for "people who like Netflix but wish its World War II documentaries weren't so mean to the Nazis."
The TBS host then reflected on why Fox Nation stops live-streaming in the evening: "Watching Fox Nation, you can't help wondering: Who is this for?" Bee asked. "It's just pure, substance-free propaganda squirted right down your slobber hole."
She continued, "On top of that, it's a great way for Fox to squeeze some extra bucks from all the olds who sign up but forget to unsubscribe."
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaHSgcGYJs4]
-
'The Voice' Coaches Sing Medley of Hits With Fallon
Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Carson Daly brought The Voice to Monday's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The group joined The Roots and the host himself in a Brady Bunch-style split-screen, used previously on the show for medleys sung by the cast of Star Wars, among others, where the coaches sang snippets of their biggest hits, blending all the tunes together into an infectious pop medley.
Featured songs included Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved," Hudson's "Spotlight," Shelton's "I’ll Name the Dogs" and Clarkson's "Stronger," turning pop, R&B and country into a seamless melody.
Their guest spot on The Tonight Show aired the same day the Top 8 sang for the final four slots of the NBC competition series.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOr_dTO7P14]
-
Hosts React to Michael Cohen's Prison Sentence
In response to Wednesday's news that President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years behind bars, late-night television hosts took aim at the attorney.
On CBS' The Late Show, host Stephen Colbert offered Cohen a suggestion for what lies ahead. "Now a little tip for Mr. Cohen. First day in prison, you walk right up to the biggest guy in the yard, you pay him $130,000. Boom. Boom!"
He was referencing the payment that Cohen arranged for Trump to give adult-film actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for her confidentiality about an alleged sexual encounter. Colbert continued, "Before Cohen climbed up onto the prison bus, he made sure to throw Trump under it."
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dDCE4_dosM]
On NBC's Late Night With Seth Meyers, the host referenced the fact that Cohen took full responsibility for his actions — both the personal acts he pled guilty to and the acts that involved orders from the president.
"Forget running from re-election in two years, Trump might be running from the Feds," Meyers said. "The FBI's going to bust into a cabin in Montana and find Trump with a Unabomber beard surrounded by Burger King wrappers."
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEdV8rQKEFI]
On ABC, Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel summarized the events that led to Cohen's prison sentence for maximum comic effect, as well as to point out Trump's role in the proceedings. "Just to recap, Donald Trump cheats on his wife while she’s at home with their infant son. Donald Trump has a long-term affair with a Playboy Playmate. Donald Trump illegally pays the both of them off, and Michael Cohen goes to jail for it," Kimmel said. "That’s like if Johnnie Cochran did time and not O.J. [Simpson]."
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wkk_jrnsB0]
Over on Comedy Central's The Daily Show, host Trevor Noah used the Cohen arrest as a news peg to discuss the other Michael — Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security advisor — and why Flynn reportedly thinks he shouldn't go to prison.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YOwyhHK4hY]
On NBC, Jimmy Fallon addressed Cohen at the top of his Tonight show: "If you’re watching from home, you’re in for a great show. If you’re watching from jail, you probably used to work for the president."
Fallon went on to quip, "Cohen said it could have been worse — 'I could have been sentenced to be White House chief of staff.'"
-
Sean Hayes and James Corden Perform "Little Drummer Boy" Parody
Sean Hayes joined James Corden for a Michael Rapaport-inspired performance of "Little Drummer Boy" on CBS' The Late Late Show on Monday night.
The segment took cues from a famous video of Bing Crosby and David Bowie performing their 1977 cover of the song. Corden told Hayes in the bit that the holiday season "makes me think about a certain special person who, let's be honest, Christmas is really all about."
The host quickly explained that the person he was referring to was actor Michael Rapaport. "Well, of course," said Hayes. "What would Christmas be without the actor Michael Rapaport?"
The men made their way to a grand piano, which had a framed photo of the Atypical actor placed on it. Corden hit a key before the music for "Little Drummer Boy" began to play. "Come they told me, Michael Ra-pa-pa-port/ A newborn king to see, Michael Ra-pa-pa-port," they sang in perfect harmony. "Our finest gifts we bring, Michael Ra-pa-pa-pa-port, Ra-pa-pa-pa-port, Ra-pa-pa-pa-port."
Hayes and Corden embraced each other as they continued to sing. "Every child must be made aware/ Every child must be made to care/ For the actor Michael Rapaport," they harmonized.
The men continued to sing the chorus as The Late Late Show's bandleader and announcer Reggie Watts walked into the house dressed as an angel and holding a candle.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql5RHCvgv0Y]
-
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly Sing "Reunited"
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly visited ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday night. The actors, who wore matching suits, talked about filming Holmes & Watson together in London.
The two also reflected on their friendship and their previous work experiences together in Step Brothers, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.
"I did like Will right at the outset. I'll never forget [we met] on the West Side Highway [in New York City]. Molly Shannon introduced us and I was, like, 'Who is this guy? He seems very familiar, like we could be related or something,'" said Reilly. "Over time, we got to know each other better and better, and then I almost did Anchorman — it didn't work out — and then eventually we did Talladega Nights together, and I feel like we did develop quite a real relationship."
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61zXzzIVv3E]
Later in the appearance, Ferrell and Reilly sang Peaches & Herb's "Reunited" together.
When Kimmel asked how it felt for the two to reunite onscreen, Ferrell became emotional and pretended to cry. "I got a lot of emotions," he said.
The host then said that they could take a break to calm down after the emotional moment, though Reilly suggested that they sing about it instead.
"I was a fool to ever leave your side," sang Ferrell and the two men grabbed microphones and stood up. "The breakup we had has made me lonesome and sad / I realize I want you, want you back."
"I spent the evening with the radio / Regret the moment that I let you go," sang Reilly. "I know now that I love you 'cause I miss your touch, hey, hey."
The two then turned to each other and sang the chorus in unison: "Reunited and it feels so good / Reunited 'cause it's understood / There's one perfect fit and sugar, this one is it / We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey."
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAsZYmG5D6w]
-
Hosts on Trump's Search for New Chief of Staff: "Nobody Wants This Job"
With John Kelly stepping down as the White House chief of staff, the Trump administration is in the process of finding a new candidate to take over the position. Reports have said that while President Donald Trump has offered the job to a number of candidates, everyone has turned it down. And many late-night hosts addressed the unpopular nature of the position on Monday. Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff Nick Ayers was reportedly Trump's first choice for the job, though he declined the offer.
James Corden told his audience that Ayers reportedly declined Trump's offer to take over Kelly's job "because they couldn't agree to terms."
"Specifically, they couldn't agree on the size of the bus Ayers would eventually be thrown under," joked Corden.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWs2H_LhuH0]
On The Daily Show, Trevor Noah was joined by correspondent Michael Kosta, who said that the reason no one wants the job is a branding problem. "'Chief of staff' sounds so boring and office-y. They should rename the job to sound more exciting, like 'Race Car Driver' or 'Marvel's The Black Panther,'" he said. "Then they'll see those résumés pour in."
When Noah said that nobody wants the job, Kosta responded, "Y'know what, f— it. I'll do it." When the host pointed out that Kosta may not be qualified, the correspondent explained that he had all the qualifications that are important to Trump. "I'm white. I'm male. I'm straight. I can poop standing up. I'm the whole package," he asserted.
"How hard could it be, Trevor? You've seen the last two years. Most of that job is just saying, 'Mr. President, I wouldn't do…uh, whatever you want," Kosta added.
Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert shared that Trump was humiliated that Ayers declined the job. The host also pointed out that Steven Mnuchin and Mick Mulvaney have stated that they have no interest in the position. "It's like Trump's trying to give his rose away at The Bachelor," Colbert joked.
"The president is in desperate need of a chief of staff and he's got no viable candidates, which is why I'd like to take this opportunity to throw my hat in the ring," he said.
The audience showed their support by chanting Colbert's name. "Mr. President, I, Stephen Colbert, am your next White House chief of staff," he said. "Now, will I be able to control the president? No. Will we fight? Yeah. But will I bring a steady hand to a tumultuous West Wing? Also, no. But no one could. Who cares?
"And no, I don’t agree with the president's policies and no, this won't help the country," he continued. "But I believe in my heart of hearts that this could be fun for me."
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzW1kZodx2M]
And on Late Night With Seth Meyers, the host reflected on Kelly's time in the White House. He said that while many people had high hopes for Kelly to keep Trump in check, that was never going to happen. "For one thing, you can't change Trump. And also, Kelly wanted the same thing as Trump," he said. "We all just projected ourselves onto Kelly because his face always looked the way we felt."
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WwyQiFsKVU]
Jimmy Fallon told his viewers that the job is theirs if they want it. "Just raise your hand and the job is yours," he said. "I heard that several of Trump's top choices don't want the position. At this point, the only job tougher to fill than chief of staff is host of the Oscars."
After explaining Kelly's exit, Fallon said, "The administration is looking for a new chief of staff to bring order to the White House and improve Trump's behavior, which explains their first choice: Mary Poppins."
Jimmy Kimmel informed his audience that Trump is having a difficult time trying to find a replacement for Kelly. "It's a high-profile job — chief of staff — but nobody wants it. Like hosting the Oscars," he said. "Maybe Kevin Hart should be chief of staff."
Kimmel said that the president has found himself in a tough situation: "How do you convince a rat to jump on a sinking ship? It's against their nature."
-
Late-Night Lineup: Dec. 16-22
Monday, Dec. 17
The Late Late Show With James Corden: Cardi B gets her own "Carpool Karaoke" segment on Monday night, just days before Corden debuts this year's holiday-themed Karaoke on Thursday.Tuesday, Dec. 18
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Michelle Obama makes a stop during her book tour to chat with Fallon.Wednesday, Dec. 19
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee: Samantha Bee presents “Christmas on I.C.E.," a special holiday episode.
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day