Michael Stipe Promotes Nothing On Jimmy Fallon

Well, maybe that's not entirely true. Despite the fact that Fallon mentions Stipe (nice recession beard) is his first guest with "nothing to promote," the R.E.M. frontman shows up with a bronze-cast camera sculpture and the two talk about tonight's R.E.M. tribute at Carnegie Hall with Throwing Muses, Bob Mould, Patti Smith, Calexico, the Apples In Stereo, Elf Power, Jolie Holland, Vic Chesnutt, the Feelies, Marshall Crenshaw, Darius Rucker, etc. Maybe Michael Stipe will perform? (Michael Stipe will perform.) Stipe also teaches Fallon to "smile with your eyes" (ur doin it wrong) and sings an outgoing greeting for the host's cellphone. It's all at Hulu.

During the Q&A, they bring up Michael's first late night appearance with Letterman back in 1983, where he ducked out of the interview because of his pathological shyness. It was more interesting than last night's conversation. Memories:

"Radio Free Europe"

"Central Rain" & The Interview

Young David Letterman > Young Jimmy Fallon, but you knew that.

Posted at 3:15 PM by brandon in Video
Tags: Jimmy Fallon | Michael Stipe | R.E.M.

13 Comments

did they confirm whether or not he is Twat Waffle?

Posted by: james at 03/11/09 3:29 PM  | Reply
Score = -9

Central Rain so young it didn't have a name. That's fantastic.

Posted by: DayTracing at 03/11/09 3:34 PM  | Reply
Score = 4

that picture of Michael Stipe kinda reminds me of this guy: http://cla.calpoly.edu/%7Elcall/lenin.gif

Posted by: team wayne at 03/11/09 4:18 PM  | Reply
Score = 2

It's weird how the band was interviewed.

Posted by: turquoise boy at 03/11/09 4:30 PM  | Reply
Score = 2

I wish television was still like that. Instead of every show living and dying by their format.

Posted by: TheFlyAwayHair  in reply to turquoise boy's comment at 03/11/09 7:08 PM  | Reply
Score = 3

They were so great in 1984 and now I can't remember a single song from any of their last 4 albums. But I'm sure Darius Rucker could polish a turd from Around The Sun.

Posted by: OldManRock at 03/11/09 5:18 PM  | Reply
Score = -2

I swear to God I thought Stipe was backstage in that last clip until I saw him pop up. Freaked me out!

Posted by: Brad at 03/11/09 7:20 PM  | Reply
Score = 1

Yeah! That freaked me out as well. I had no idea he was there. Him and all his hair.

Posted by: Gus at 03/11/09 9:28 PM  | Reply
Score = 0

...the early Letterman reruns are brilliant...you certainly didn't have to worry about Scott Baio showing up for no good reason...

Posted by: Johnny Magic at 03/11/09 9:38 PM  | Reply
Score = 0

Kinda looks like Mel Gibson...

Posted by: Mant at 03/11/09 10:35 PM  | Reply
Score = 0

i'm too young to know when michael stipe was still newsworthy

Posted by: the musicologist at 03/11/09 11:09 PM  | Reply
Score = -7

no, you're old enough.
you're just a doucher.

Posted by: gilsemple  in reply to the musicologist's comment at 03/12/09 10:21 AM  | Reply
Score = 6

I had no idea Michael Stipe is gay.

Posted by: Eric at 03/12/09 2:24 PM  | Reply
Score = 0