Jimmy Fallon: NBC initially didn't want me or The Roots in late-night

Vulture

Fallon, who celebrates his 10th anniversary in late-night in March, credited Lorne Michaels with helping him land his role while speaking at The New Yorker Festival. Fallon says NBC was equally hesitant when he pitched the network on The Roots as his house band. NBC didn’t want the Roots. They were like, The Roots are too urban or something,” Fallon remembered. “I went, you’re totally wrong. Do you know these guys? Go see them. Have you seen them?"