Sarah Palin placed a call to her “neighbour” Vladimir Putin on The Tonight Show on Wednesday, with Jimmy Fallon playing the Balalaika-playing former KGB goon.
The former vice presidential candidate, who in 2008 predicted that Putin would invade Ukraine, was asked for advice by the Russian leader on which country he should invade next.
"Actually, Alaska is really close to Russia, maybe I should invade?" Putin said. "I wouldn't if I were you Vlad. You may be able to take down a bear, but you're no match for a mama grizzly," said Palin.
Comedians Who Got Their Start on "The Tonight Show"
David Letterman(01 of30)
By 1978, shortly after David Letterman first performed on "The Tonight Show" stage, he had become a regular guest on the show, and would frequently guest-host in Johnny's absence. Needless to say, it was no secret that David was not only one of Johnny's favorite comedians, but also a favorite to replace Johnny when he retired from the show.Watch one of David's earliest performances on the show, here. (credit:Getty)
"The Late Show with David Letterman"(02 of30)
In 1980, David was offered his own morning show on NBC, "The David Letterman Show", which garnered him two Emmys in the first year. And since the 1982 debut of "Late Night with David Letterman" he has been a fixture on late-night television. Today, David is the host of "The Late Show with David Letterman" and just this year he surpassed Johnny Carson for having the longest late-night hosting career. (credit:AP)
Ellen DeGeneres(03 of30)
In the early 1980s, Ellen was just starting to take her stand-up act on the road and by 1986 she landed her first gig on "The Tonight Show". Johnny was so blown away by her performance that he invited her to join him on the couch, making Ellen the first woman comedian to make such an impression on the show's host.Watch Ellen's stunning first performance, here. (credit:YouTube.com)
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show"(04 of30)
After leaving her mark on "The Tonight Show", Ellen went on to star in two television sitcoms, "Ellen" and "The Ellen Show". She even provided the voice for Dory in the Disney animated film, "Finding Nemo". Today, she is the ever-popular host of her own daytime talk show, "The Ellen Degeneres Show", which has garnered her more than a dozen Emmys. (credit:YouTube.com)
Jay Leno(05 of30)
Before he took Johnny's place as host of "The Tonight Show", Jay Leno was a guest on the show. Jay made his first stand-up appearance on "The Tonight Show" in 1977, and later he became a permanent guest-host, commanding over 50 shows between 1987 and 1992.Watch Jay's first appearance on "The Tonight Show" here. (credit:YouTube.com)
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"(06 of30)
In 1992, when Johnny Carson stepped down as host of "The Tonight Show", he passed the torch to Jay Leno. As a long-time guest host, Jay took over with ease. Here, he chats with Olympic gymnast, Gabby Douglass, and First Lady, Michelle Obama. (credit:AP)
Roseanne Barr(07 of30)
Roseanne first started doing stand-up gigs in the early 1980s, landing her first big gig at the well-known Los Angeles venue, The Comedy Shop. She was invited to perform on "The Tonight Show" in 1985, and in the next year she was booked on "Late Night with David Letterman" and had her own HBO special, "The Roseanne Barr Show".Watch Roseanne's first performance on "The Tonight Show", here. (credit:YouTube.com)
"Roseanne"(08 of30)
In her earliest appearance on the "The Tonight Show" Roseanne talked housewives and homemakers in her hilarious "domestic godess" bit. And it was the huge popularity of the act that led her to land her own ABC series "Roseanne", which she went on to win numerous awards for. (credit:YouTube.com)
Eddie Murphy(09 of30)
Eddie Murphy was a budding star on "Saturday Night Live" when he first made his appearance on "Tonight Show" in 1982. After his performance, Johnny gave Eddie the stamp of approval when he invited him over to the couch, and in the years to come Eddie's career took off.Watch Eddie's impressive first performance here. (credit:YouTube.com)
Eddie in "Tower Heist"(10 of30)
Today, Eddie is one of America's top-grossing actors of all time and he's secured his spot at number ten on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time. His filmography includes hit movies like "Beverly Hills Cop", "The Nutty Professor" series, "Dreamgirls" and so many more. Here, Eddie stars alongside Ben Stiller in one of his most recent films, "Tower Heist". (credit:AP)
Jerry Seinfeld(11 of30)
Jerry had a few small roles and appearances before he was first invited to appear on "The Tonight Show" in 1981. His performance so successfully impressed Carson and the audience that it later lead to frequent appearances on the show.Watch one of Jerry's first appearances on "The Tonight Show", here. (credit:YouTube.com)
"Seinfeld"(12 of30)
After several years on the late-night television circuit, Jerry was able to successfully launch "Seinfeld", a sitcom he created with Larry David. The show first aired in 1989 and quickly became the most popular sitcom on American television. Here, Jerry Seinfeld stars opposite of Jason Alexander, in a quintessentially "Seinfeld" moment at the diner. (credit:YouTube.com)
Bill Maher(13 of30)
Bill Maher first appeared on "The Tonight Show" in 1982, but it would be a while before Johnny invited him to sit on the couch and chat. But that didn't mean Johnny didn't like what he saw from Bill. In fact, he went on to have Bill on the show over 30 times.Watch Bill's first stand-up performance, here. (credit:YouTube.com)
"Real Time with Bill Maher"(14 of30)
Today, Bill is widely known for his political satire and social commentary. In the years since he first appeared on "The Tonight Show" he's hosted the late-night political talk show "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" and, more recently, he launched "Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO. (credit:YouTube.com)
Jim Carrey(15 of30)
Funny man Jim Carrey made his debut on American television when he first appeared on Johnny's show in 1983. Before taking his act to the small screen, Jim had only been in Hollywood about ten months and had only just begun to make a stir.Watch Jim's U.S. television debute on "The Tonight Show", here. (credit:YouTube.com)
Jim in "Liar Liar"(16 of30)
It was only a matter of time following his debut on "The Tonight Show" before Jim Carrey began landing big name TV and film roles. By 1994, Jim starred in "Ace Venture: Pet Detective" and from there his career took off. Here, Jim is at his best in his critically acclaimed role in "Liar, Liar". (credit:YouTube.com)
Joan Rivers(17 of30)
Joan Rivers made her first appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1965, and after more than 93 appearances on the show, Joan became Johnny's permanent guest host in 1983. At the time, Johnny was a good friend of Joan's and her mentor. Here, Joan chats with Johnny on one of her first appearances on the show.Here is one of Joan's early "Tonight Show" monologues. (credit:Getty)
"Joan in Fashion Police"(18 of30)
When Joan left "The Tonight Show" for her own show on Fox in 1986, the relationship between the two friends quickly soured. In fact, once she left, Johnny never again spoke with Joan and her talk show was quickly cancelled. Today, Joan is well-known as a television host and for her celebrity fashion advice. Here, she poses with her "Fashion Police" co-star, Kelly Osbourne, left, and her daughter, Melissa Rivers, right. (credit:AP)
George Carlin(19 of30)
The legendary George Carlin got his first break as a solo stand-up comedian when he first appeared on Jack Paar's "Tonight Show". While his career gained momentum after that performance, he really stepped into the limelight when he began guest hosting "The Tonight Show".Watch one of George's earliest performances on "The Tonight Show", here. (credit:Getty)
George Carlin Stand-up(20 of30)
After making a name for himself as a guest host on "The Tonight Show", George went on to host the first-ever episode of "Saturday Night Live". Today, George is well-known for his Grammy Award winning stand-up comedy albums and his critically acclaimed HBO comedy specials. (credit:WikiMedia)
Andy Kaufman(21 of30)
The hilarious Andy Kaufman had viewers in stitches when he first appeared on "The Tonight Show" in 1976. After that first performance he went on to impress guests over the course of three more appearances on the show. Here, Andy performs his "Foreign Man" act, which includes his famous Elvis impersonation, on the show in 1977.Watch the full video of Andy's act, here. (credit:YouTube.com)
Andy in "Taxi"(22 of30)
It was Andy's Foreign Man character that landed him a role in ABC's 1978 sitcom, "Taxi". When producers of the show saw Andy's act, they had a part written into the show just for him. Here, Andy is in character as Latka alongside Danny DeVito in "Taxi". (credit:YouTube.com)
Steven Wright(23 of30)
When Steven first started out he was performing in a number of Boston area clubs and restaurants, and it was there that the producers of "The Tonight Show" noticed his act and invited him to appear on the show in 1982. After his first appearance, Steven so impressed Johnny and the audience, that not only was he invited to chat with Johnny, but he was asked back to the show less than a week later. Watch his first appearance, here. (credit:YouTube.com)
Steven Wright Stand-up(24 of30)
Three years after he first made an impression on "The Tonight Show", Steven released his first comedy album, I Have A Pony, which was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. The success of his first album landed him a coveted HBO special, which became one of the longest-running and most-requested shows of its kind. (credit:Getty)
Freddie Prinze(25 of30)
Freddie Prinze got his biggest career break when he was asked to appear on "The Tonight Show" in 1973. He was the first young comedian to be asked to have a sit-down chat with Johnny after his first appearance, making Johnny's stamp of approval that much more impressive. And later, Freddie would go on to make several appearances on the show and even guest host while Johnny was vacationing. (credit:Getty)
Freddie in "Chico and the Man"(26 of30)
Less than a year after his first performance on "The Tonight Show", Freddie landed the leading role in "Chico and the Man", a television sitcom on NBC, which was an instant hit with audiences. (credit:Youtube.com)
Garry Shandling(27 of30)
Garry Shandling made his first appearance on the show in 1981, and although Johnny didn't invite Garry to chat after his first few stand-up acts, Garry went on to become a frequent guest host on the show. Here, Garry hosts one of more than fifty episodes of "The Tonight Show". (credit:YouTube.com)
Garry in "The Larry Sanders Show"(28 of30)
Just a few years after his first appearance on "The Tonight Show", Garry went on to create and star in his own show, "It's The Garry Shandling Show". But his biggest success was the "Larry Sanders Show", which he launched in 1992 and was based on Garry's experiences co-hosting "The Tonight Show". (credit:YouTube.com)
Louie Anderson(29 of30)
Louie Anderson made his network television debut when he first stepped out on "The Tonight Show" stage in 1981. Having made the rounds as a stand-up comedian, it was only a matter of time before Louie would create his own Emmy Award winning role. (credit:Getty)
Louie on "Family Feud"(30 of30)
In 1995, Louie launched the animated Saturday morning show, "My Life With Louie", which was based on his experienced growing up in a big family. The show was a huge hit and went on to land Louie a Daytime Emmy. Later, he assumed the role of host on the newly revised version of the game show, "Family Feud". (credit:YouTube.com)