NBC will air four special Sunday night editions of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this fall, scheduled to follow Sunday Night Football and local newscasts.
The first broadcast is set for September 21, following the Kansas City Chiefs–New York Giants matchup. Matthew McConaughey and country singer Eric Church are confirmed as guests, with additional names to be announced.
Future Sunday night editions will air after the Packers–Steelers game on October 26, the Lions–Eagles matchup on November 16, and the Texans–Chiefs game on December 7.
The special Sunday shows will air immediately after the local news on both the East and West Coasts.
Tonight Show Showrunner Chris Miller said the collaboration with NBC Sports is an opportunity to connect directly with football audiences, noting the program has previously leaned into sports-themed content for these postgame editions.
In addition to the four Sunday broadcasts, Fallon will also host a special episode next Thursday, September 4, after the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
Fallon’s football lead-in will almost certainly give The Tonight Show a ratings boost. NFL lead-ins have served late-night shows better and more reliably than any other programming, with ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! traditionally topping the competition on Monday Night Football nights.
It won’t be Fallon’s first time getting a taste of the Sunday night post-gridiron action. He hosted a string of five Tonight Show episodes following Sunday Night Football back in 2019, and two after The Super Bowl—in 2018 and 2015. His most recent Sunday night post-football episode aired last November.
Sunday Night Football has ranked as the top primetime program for 14 consecutive seasons.
Ugh, of course it’s always the worst shows that get all the nice shit