Why have The Roots left Jimmy Fallon’s show this month?

Fans of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon were surprised earlier this month when The Roots, the show’s longtime house band, were noticeably absent.

The hip-hop outfit, a staple of Fallon’s late-night programming since 2009, did not appear for multiple episodes, leading to questions about their whereabouts.

Despite concerns, the absence is only temporary.

Why are The Roots absent from The Tonight Show?

The Roots took a short break from The Tonight Show to prepare for their role in Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary celebration, SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, which aired on NBC and Peacock on February 14.

The Roots, led by drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and rapper Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, have been a central part of Fallon’s late-night tenure.

They first joined him on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon before transitioning with him to The Tonight Show in 2014.

The band’s break was due to their commitment to SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, a star-studded musical tribute celebrating Saturday Night Live‘s five decades on air.

The Roots were selected as the backing band for the event, performing alongside artists including Arcade Fire, Backstreet Boys, Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus, and Post Malone.

Additionally, Questlove played a key role in the SNL anniversary festivities, co-directing the made-for-TV documentary Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music, which is available on Peacock.

Paul Shaffer Fills In

In the band’s absence, Tonight Show audiences were treated to a familiar face in late-night television—Paul Shaffer.

The longtime Late Show with David Letterman musical director, who led Letterman’s band from 1982 to 2015, temporarily stepped in as the show’s bandleader.

Shaffer, along with his band The World’s Most Dangerous Band, took over musical duties while The Roots prepared for their SNL performance.

In a statement to Billboard, Shaffer said: “We hope to finally get right all the mistakes we made with Dave.”

This wasn’t Shaffer’s first time filling in for The Roots.

In 2023, he briefly stepped in when the band was away for the Grammy Awards.

Are The Roots Leaving for Good?

The Roots’ absence was only temporary, and they are expected to return to The Tonight Show soon.

While The Roots’ contract situation at NBC has not been publicly disclosed, Fallon himself recently signed a contract extension that will keep him hosting The Tonight Show through at least 2028.

While The Roots’ contract details have not been publicly disclosed, their longstanding collaboration with Fallon suggests they will remain a fixture on the show for the foreseeable future.

The Roots are set to return to The Tonight Show after their SNL commitments conclude.

Until then, Shaffer and his band will continue filling in, bringing a touch of classic late-night nostalgia to Fallon’s show.