Fans of Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show were caught off guard when the legendary house band, The Roots, suddenly vanished from the stage. The hip-hop group, a cornerstone of Fallon’s late-night shows since 2009, stayed absent for several weeks in February, leaving viewers to wonder if they had left the show for good.
Where have The Roots been and have they left Jimmy Fallon for good?
The Roots have not permanently left The Tonight Show.
Their absence is temporary and tied to a significant milestone in television history. According to Billboard, the band took time off to prepare for their role in the Saturday Night Live (SNL) 50th-anniversary concert, set for February 14, 2024. This star-studded event will celebrate the musical legacy of the comedy show.
The Roots’ connection to Jimmy Fallon is strong. They first joined him in 2009 as the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. When Fallon took over The Tonight Show in 2014, they seamlessly transitioned with him. Over the years, they’ve become synonymous with Fallon’s unique blend of comedy and music.
To fill the gap during The Roots’ absence, music legend Paul Shaffer stepped in as the temporary bandleader. Shaffer, who famously led the band on Late Night with David Letterman and The Late Show with David Letterman, brought his group, The World’s Most Dangerous Band, to the stage. In a lighthearted statement to Billboard, Shaffer quipped, “We hope to finally get right all the mistakes we made with Dave.”
Given their long history with Jimmy Fallon, it’s unlikely The Roots will leave The Tonight Show anytime soon. Fallon recently signed a contract extension to host the show through 2028. While the details of The Roots’ contract aren’t public, their collaboration with Fallon feels unshakable. For now, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The Roots’ absence is just a brief pause, and they will soon return.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Comingsoon.
