“If this is Lorne Michaels’
office, where’s the popcorn?”
That question was the begin-That question was the begin-
ning of my understanding the ning of my understanding the
genius that is Questlove.genius that is Questlove.
In 2008, I was starting In 2008, I was starting
Late NightLate Night and had a meeting and had a meeting
with the Roots, in hopes that with the Roots, in hopes that
they would consider being the they would consider being the
show’s house band. I met with show’s house band. I met with
them in Lorne’s office (since them in Lorne’s office (since
I didn’t have an office at the I didn’t have an office at the
time) and Questlove goes, time) and Questlove goes,
“If this is Lorne Michaels’ “If this is Lorne Michaels’
office, where’s the popcorn?” office, where’s the popcorn?”
That got me. Any comedy That got me. Any comedy
or or SNLSNL fan knows that Lorne fan knows that Lorne
always has a basket of pop-always has a basket of pop-
corn in his office. And I knew corn in his office. And I knew
immediately I had just made a immediately I had just made a
friend. Not only is he a musical friend. Not only is he a musical
encyclopedia but also a com-encyclopedia but also a com-
edy nerd and one of the most edy nerd and one of the most
creative people I’ve ever met. creative people I’ve ever met.
We’ve been working We’ve been working
together ever since, and we’ve together ever since, and we’ve
made almost 3,000 shows made almost 3,000 shows
together. In that time, he’s together. In that time, he’s
also written six books while also written six books while
releasing incredible albums—releasing incredible albums—
and this past year made an and this past year made an
amazing documentary called amazing documentary called
Summer of SoulSummer of Soul that won that won
every award you can think of. every award you can think of.
When he was editing it, When he was editing it,
I remember him being nervous I remember him being nervous
that it wasn’t going to get that it wasn’t going to get
into Sundance, nervous that into Sundance, nervous that
no one was going to buy the no one was going to buy the
movie. Then I remember him movie. Then I remember him
winning Sundance—and sud-winning Sundance—and sud-
denly not only Sundance, but denly not only Sundance, but
also a Critics Choice Award, also a Critics Choice Award,
a BAFTA, an Oscar. a BAFTA, an Oscar. a BAFTA, an Oscar.
Now everyone wants to Now everyone wants to
know what Quest is going to know what Quest is going to
do next. Better get some pop-do next. Better get some pop-
corn because you’re gonna corn because you’re gonna
want to see this.want to see this.Fallon is an Emmy Award–Fallon is an Emmy Award–
winning comedian and the winning comedian and the
host of host of The Tonight Show The Tonight Show
Starring Jimmy FallonStarring Jimmy FallonQQuueessttlloovvee
Creative geniusCreative genius
B Y J I M M Y FA L L O NB Y J I M M Y FA L L O NPHOTOGRAPH BY MATT HOLYOAK 47