People Are Divided About Jimmy Fallon’s Prince Cover During The Thanksgiving Day Parade

Thanksgiving Day entertainment has to clear a very specific, non-offensive bar. You would think having a late night host covering a beloved musical artist would fit that description perfectly — comedians, as a rule, are performers that we don’t take too seriously, and everyone loves a classic jam. But Jimmy Fallon‘s cover of Prince‘s “Let’s Go Crazy” has proven that’s not always the case.

During NBC’s broadcast of the Macy’s Day parade, Fallon and The Roots performed a light-hearted rendition of the classic song while atop a sponsored Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float. Overall, it was a perfectly fine if not forgettable performance. The Roots were incredible as always, and Fallon looked like he was having fun. However, the abbreviated performance has left some viewers divided. The general consensus? The Roots can do a Prince cover, but Fallon shouldn’t.

 

However, not everyone criticized Fallon’s performance. Some viewers praised the performance, calling it fun and a highlight of the parade. For his part, Fallon seemed pleased with the musical number.

With all respect to Prince and his incredible legacy, I think Fallon deserves a break on this one. When his mother passed away earlier this month, the late night host was quick to return to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and he’s been consistently working since. I’m sure his first Thanksgiving after his mother’s death wasn’t easy, and I doubt he really wanted to spend it singing on a float in the middle of chilly New York day. Also, Fallon is a well-known Prince fan, so the tribute likely came form a good-natured place. I know it’s a lot of fun to hate on Fallon, but his Macy’s Day performance leans more toward “mediocre but largely inoffensive karaoke” than “a disgrace on Prince’s legacy.”

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