In what could have been a politically charged showdown, Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld stepped onto NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Thursday night—and instead of unleashing his trademark political bite, he swapped it for tales of drunken escapades, career mishaps, and a game show plug. For some, it was hilarious nostalgia. For others, it was a glaring missed opportunity that left sparks unlit.

From Political Firebrand to “Old Showbiz Pal”

The Gutfeld that Fox News viewers know—a rapid-fire satirist and unapologetic conservative—was nowhere to be found. Instead, he emerged from behind Fallon’s curtains like an old buddy from the comedy circuit, diving straight into a 15-year-old bar story. Their meeting at an illegal Hell’s Kitchen speakeasy owned by a mutual friend named Tracy quickly became the night’s dominant thread, complete with memories of wrestling, crushed cigarettes, and drunken camaraderie.

The Story That Swallowed the Segment

Fallon seemed amused but also cautious, sticking to the wild-night anecdote rather than inviting Gutfeld to wade into political waters. Gutfeld described Fallon tackling him “like a giant golden retriever” before wrestling his friend Andy, and later returning with a fresh pack of cigarettes as a peace offering. The crowd laughed—but the absence of Gutfeld’s usual political sharpness was noticeable.

Career Stumbles and a Family Hire

The conversation veered toward Gutfeld’s series of firings before Fox News came calling. In a quirky twist, he admitted to hiring his mother as “senior correspondent” for his first show, Red Eye, with her only duty being to watch Fox News and brief him.

Game Show Over Gunfire

The night’s promotional centerpiece was Gutfeld’s FOX Nation game show What Did I Miss?, in which sequestered contestants must guess if news headlines are real or fake. Even here, he sidestepped partisanship, joking about Trump’s unpredictable antics—like a fake headline about annexing Canada—rather than taking aim at Democrats, as he often does on his home turf.

The Colbert Moment That Never Happened

Conspicuously absent? Any mention of Gutfeld’s late-night ratings dominance over rivals like Stephen Colbert, or Colbert’s looming show cancellation. These are topics Gutfeld usually relishes. But Fallon didn’t go there, and neither did Gutfeld.

Jonas Brothers, Not Jabs

Part of the reason may have been the show’s context: two segments earlier, the Jonas Brothers had been met with deafening fan squeals. Dropping Fox News’ most polarizing host into that environment may have made both men decide to keep things light. For Gutfeld, it meant playing the “wild and crazy guy” rather than the conservative disruptor.

Missed Chance or Smart Play?

For political junkies, the segment felt like a squandered chance for genuine late-night fireworks. But for the average viewer—and perhaps for Fallon’s producers—it was exactly the point. No politics, no controversy, just entertainment.

The Takeaway

The night proved Gutfeld can play outside his political comfort zone—but it also left his fans wondering if the sharpest late-night voice on the right pulled his punches. Fallon kept it safe, Gutfeld kept it friendly, and the culture clash that could have set the internet ablaze never happened.

Still, the visual of two late-night hosts from opposite worlds embracing—literally—on national TV is a headline in itself. Whether it’s a sign of late-night détente or just a one-off novelty, one thing is clear: this wasn’t that kind of show.