Fact-Checking Chris Fleming Won Late Night This Week

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Let’s start with what happened behind the scenes. Fans on Twitter, known as ARMY, were upset because the comedian who warmed up the audience for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon appeared to make a racially insensitive joke. According to TMZ, he asked if anyone was from North Korea, and some fans thought he was directing the question at the band BTS, implying a member was from North Korea. This was especially problematic because BTS’s Arirang performance often emphasizes their South Korean identity, even as they become global stars. Adding to the issues, fans also complained about how they were treated during the taping at the Guggenheim Museum. It was a difficult couple of days for both Jimin and Jimmy Fallon’s supporters. As fan communities become more organized internationally, it’s getting riskier for shows to try and appeal to them. However, it’s worth noting that the surprise segment with Fallon and BTS, where they unexpectedly appeared before fans, was both charming and impressively staged, featuring rotating rooms similar to the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland.

This week on The Tonight Show, Flea delivered a fantastic jazz rendition of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You.” A particularly fun detail was that Flea and his band all wore what looked like the same $300 shirt – a clever idea, whether it came from Flea himself, the director, or someone like Donna from SNL. It really enhanced the overall presentation of the performance. Here’s a look at other notable musical guests on late-night shows this week.

5.
Jon Stewart Respectfully Disagrees

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=G3uGYpPJEGM

It’s striking to see Jon Stewart openly question America’s role in the world on television. As Jafar Panahi pointed out, such a segment on The Daily Show could get you in serious trouble in a country with a stricter government. Stewart recently interviewed Jake Sullivan, a former national security advisor who helped negotiate the Iran nuclear deal – the same deal Trump later abandoned. During the interview, Stewart got Sullivan to acknowledge that China is often more effective than the US in terms of diplomatic messaging. It was a surprisingly thoughtful and challenging interview, offering real insight without resorting to sensationalism.

4.
Last Week Tonight Remembers What’s Important

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=LqwJFuntco4

One of the things I love about Last Week Tonight is how it uses funny, random details to keep you engaged, even when the main topic is serious or complicated. John Oliver often throws in quick stories, interesting facts, or just plain weird observations – like his famous bit about cabbage and wives! This week, he reminded everyone about Meghan Trainor and her husband, who have toilets right next to each other – it’s a celebrity tidbit I’ll never forget, right up there with Lisa Kudrow’s biology degree. It was a perfect way to lighten the mood while discussing the troubling topic of police stings and why they should be outlawed. Feeling overwhelmed by the prison system? Take a break and think about Meghan Trainor using the bathroom!

3.
Welcome Back to Late Night, the Kid Mero

https://youtube.com/watch?v=g2l7Ej6UVuM?si=gowM_rECuojAMBIs

I really miss watching Desus & Mero, but it’s great whenever I see either of them on TV. This week, Kid Mero was interviewed by Josh Johnson about his new radio job at Hot 97, and it honestly made me wish I lived in New York and could listen to him on my commute. Mero is just so likable, and listening to him do impressions of callers, I could tell he’s a natural at keeping things lively and entertaining – like a really good radio host.

2.
Niall Horan Knows Nothing About Niall Horan

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=mO4H8lfx1Aw

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is great at using its own team for fun segments. When they need someone to fill a role, they often turn to their staff. For example, a writer stepped in as an announcer, and even the security guard has gotten involved! They recently found a staff member who was a huge fan of One Direction and used her obsessive knowledge to playfully quiz Niall Horan. Rachel, the staffer, completely dominated the quiz, knowing everything from his first Instagram post to the number of shows on his last tour (87). She joked that her knowledge was “cool and normal,” not weird, and just a fun hobby. Everyone agreed she was totally laid-back.

1.
Chris Fleming Microwaves Seth Meyers on Low

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=cXA2snh12k8

When comedian Chris Fleming appears on late-night shows, the best approach is to give him space to improvise, and Seth Meyers understands this perfectly. Meyers allowed Fleming to go on a lengthy, unscripted tangent during his interview, much of which centered around the idea that AP English students in high school would have been attracted to a younger Seth Meyers. Fleming joked, “Back home, people were just trying to figure out the kindest way to get rid of me.” The highlight, however, came when Meyers playfully challenged a claim Fleming made in his comedy special, and even mocked the special’s criticism of him. Fleming had previously boasted, “I bet you’ve never seen Seth Meyers do this kind of microphone technique,” but Meyers responded by recreating the exact same move in his own recent special. It’s worth noting that Meyers referred to it as “mic work,” while Fleming called it “mic play” – a subtle difference that feels significant, though what it says is open to interpretation.

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2026-03-27 17:54