The Tonight Show: Everything you need to know about Jimmy Fallon’s anniversary special

Jimmy Fallon celebrates five years as host of The Tonight Show with a special episode inspired by a comedy legend.

It sure feels like a lot longer but it has been five years since Jimmy Fallon took over The Tonight Show. Maybe the drama surrounding the transition from Conan O’Brien to Fallon makes it seem twice as long ago. Regardless, an anniversary means a celebration and Fallon has something special lined up for tonight’s show.

Not many people could have predicted Fallon’s success in late night. He seemed like an odd choice to take over Late Night but he brought in a new energy that was well-received by audiences. After NBC completely mishandled things between O’Brien and Jay Leno, it was Fallon who benefited the most when he was given The Tonight Show.

The ratings have proven that Fallon was the right choice. Only until Stephen Colbert took over The Late Show had Fallon not consistently been tops in late night. He still is neck-and-neck with Colbert despite two drastically different approaches to the format.

To celebrate five years on the job, Fallon is doing something a little unexpected. It won’t be a clip show or a big game night blow out as many people would think to be the case. Instead, Fallon is taking some inspiration from, and paying homage to, Garry Shandling’s The Larry Sanders Show.

The Larry Sanders Show ran on HBO from 1992 to 1998. Created by the late Shandling, it has had a tremendous impact on comedy and is routinely considered one of the greatest television series of all-time. The setting of a fictional Tonight Show-like talk show makes it a perfect way for Fallon to celebrate his five year run. And he’s certainly shown he’s a fan of The Larry Sanders Show since getting into late night.

Monday night’s The Tonight Show will be a pre-recorded episode that offers an exaggerated behind-the-scenes look at Fallon’s show. That means he’s going to need some help from a few friends. 

Fallon will be joined by Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, and Robert Irwin. In classic Larry Sanders style, they will be playing a slighty different version of themselves. Check out the trailer for the special released by NBC to get a better idea of what to expect.

The fifth anniversary special of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon will air on Monday, Feb. 25. It will be at its normal 11:35 PM ET slot on NBC. Congratulations to Jimmy Fallon on five years and here’s wishing him many more at The Tonight Show. Last Night On will keep covering it all so check back in for the highlights!