According to Jimmy Fallon, President Barack Obama’s appearance on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” which featured the much talked about “slow jamming” segment, was initiated by the White House.
“It’s the craziest thing ever to have happened to me,” Fallon said in an interview with Matt Lauer on the “Today” show.
The president became a part of a comedy skit, not because producers of Fallon’s show sought his participation, but rather as a result of some prompting via a phone call from the White House.
“We keep going to each other on the set, ‘Hey, it did happen right? We did Slow Jamming with the President of the United States?’” the late-night host remarked.
“What happened is they called us, the White House called us because we did a piece with Michelle on,” Fallon said.
“He booked himself on your show?” Lauer asked.
Fallon was referring to a previous television spot with a White House setting in which he tossed around dodge balls and engaged in a tug-of-war with first lady Michelle Obama.
“We got the call about the president of the United States wanting to do maybe a bit because his initiative is to not raise taxes on student loans,” Fallon explained.
“And I said, ‘I’d love to come to the college, but would he [the president] be up for doing a whole show when I interview him?’” Fallon added.
The president practiced the slow jam session one time prior to the taping.
“We went through one rehearsal. He goes, ‘OK, we’re gonna slow jam? Here we go,’” Fallon said, while imitating the president.