Watch Zohran Mamdani Make a Surprise Appearance on ‘Fallon’

Jimmy Fallon got a boost from New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani last night on The Tonight Show. The recently-elected city leader made a surprise appearance during Fallon’s monologue to offer a punchline about the blizzard that has swept through much of the country this week.

Fallon explained that the storm shattered temperature records and covered the country in a foot of snow. “It is brutal out there,” Fallon said. “It is so cold my belly button went from an outie to an innie. We got a foot of snow here in New York City and everything went from beautiful to brown mush in two seconds. Basically the entire city pulled an avocado.”

After a few more similarly mediocre jokes from Fallon, Mamdani came on stage to wild cheers from the studio audience. “Jimmy, let me try one,” Mamdani said, delivering this zinger: “It’s so cold in New York City the rent froze itself.”

Before departing he added, “But seriously, stay inside, stay warm, and stay safe.”

Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s new mayor on Jan. 1 after winning the election in November. Lucy Dacus performed an uplifting rendition of “Bread and Roses,” an early-20th-century anthem of the labor and women’s suffrage movements, at his inauguration. “It’s such a beautiful sentiment,” Dacus told Rolling Stone of the choice. “The idea that you’re not just fighting for your sustenance — you’re fighting for your joy.”

During his campaign, Mamdani appeared on various late-night shows, but last night marked his debut on The Tonight Show. In October, he was interviewed by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. He also appeared on The Late Show alongside city comptroller Brad Lander back in June to discuss their campaigns.

“Ultimately, it’s a question for our own party of how do we move forward,” Mamdani told host Stephen Colbert. “Do we move forward with the same politicians of the past, the same policies of the past that delivered us this present, or do we move forward with a new generation of leadership, one that is actually looking to serve the people?”