The only thing that could possibly be better than watching “Empire” is watching Jimmy Fallon parody the hit Fox show.
The late night host took on the House of Lyon on Tuesday on “The Tonight Show,” delivering a spot-on impersonation of Terrence Howard’s Lucious Lyon in “Jimpire.”
Dubbed “Juicy Jim,” Jimmy mocked his recent finger accident, telling his staff he was on the prowl for the future heir to the “Tonight Show Jimpire.”
“What with my finger being in the condition it is – who knows what could happen tomorrow? I could stub my toe. I could bite my tongue,” he tells his staff (including bandleader Questlove) in the clip, paying homage to Lucious Lyon’s bout with ALS. “I could burn the roof of my mouth eating a hot microwave pizza.”
Questlove and other Roots bandmates gave their best Hakeem, Andre and Jamal impressions. Questlove, like initially-closeted Jamal, even had a secret – he’s secretly bald!
“Tonight Show” announcer Steve Higgins was faux-Cookie, dubbed Higgie. Dressed in a fur coat and hat, Higgie paid homage to Cookie’s (played by Taraji P. Henson) famed booty-baring lingerie scene.
“I’m not an ass, THIS is an ass,” Higgie tells Jimmy, pulling up his coat to reveal thigh-highs, garters and underwear.
The best part of the “Jimpire”? “Empire” series stars Terrence and Taraji both made appearances in the spoof, dressed identically to Jimmy and Higgie, respectively.
The sketch ended with a surprising cameo, with Donald Trump being named the heir to the “Tonight Show.”
“I’m back, boo boo kitty,” says the Republican presidential hopeful. “I’m back.”
“Empire” returns with its Season 2 premiere Wednesday at 9/8 c on Fox.
— Erin O’Sullivan
Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.