Jimmy Fallon returns to the Tonight Show

Jimmy Fallon paid tribute to his late mother on Monday night’s episode of The Tonight Show, the first new episode to air since she died on November 4. According to reports on People.com, the comedian began the show by explaining that he had been absent from the show to spend time with his family and make arrangements, and then began to choke up as he shared a story from his childhood. “As some of you know my mother, Gloria, passed away recently. I cancelled our shows last week to be with my family and make arrangements. She was the best audience, she was the one I was always trying to make laugh, and she was such a fan of the show and everything I did.”

He continued, “When we were little, my mom would walk us to this store, me and my sister, and she would squeeze my hand three times and say, ‘I love you,’ and I would squeeze back, ‘I love you, too’.” Fallon paused for a few seconds to gather his composure, and said, We’re going to continue to work really hard to bring some light and some laughter into the world. Thank you for watching, thank you for helping me and my family recover from this loss. Mom, I’ll never stop trying to make you laugh. I love you.”