In a moment that will go down as one of late-night television’s most uproarious and iconic stunts, country music superstar Blake Shelton donned a bright yellow chicken costume to join host Jimmy Fallon in a clucking rendition of The Lumineers’ hit “Ho Hey” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The performance, which aired just last night on August 19, 2025, left audiences in stitches and sparked a viral frenzy across social media. Dubbed “The Chickeneers,” the ensemble—featuring Shelton, Fallon, Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman, and show writer Chris Tartaro—delivered a masterclass in comedic brilliance, proving that even in a chicken suit, Shelton’s star power and musical prowess shine brighter than ever.
The stage was set for chaos from the moment Fallon introduced the skit with his trademark mischievous grin. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we’re doing something a little different,” he teased, as the curtains parted to reveal four grown men dressed as oversized, feathered fowl, complete with orange beaks and comically exaggerated tail feathers. Shelton, strumming an acoustic guitar, stood tall among the group, his towering frame making the chicken costume all the more absurd. Fallon wielded a mandolin, Offerman thumped a bass, and Tartaro kicked things off with a bass drum, while house band The Roots provided a surprisingly tight rhythm section, unfazed by the barnyard madness unfolding before them.
What followed was a two-minute spectacle that redefined musical parody. The quartet didn’t just cover The Lumineers’ 2012 folk-rock anthem—they transformed it into an all-clucking masterpiece, replacing every lyric with “bawk” and “cluck” while maintaining the song’s infectious melody. Shelton’s verse, delivered with a deadpan intensity that nearly broke into a laugh, was a highlight, his rich baritone somehow making chicken noises sound soulful. Fallon, ever the showman, flapped his wings with gusto, while Offerman’s stoic delivery added a layer of absurd gravitas. The audience roared, and social media erupted with clips of the performance, with fans declaring it “the best thing on TV in years” and “Blake Shelton’s finest hour.”
The idea for the skit was born out of Shelton’s long-standing camaraderie with Fallon, a friendship that has produced some of late-night’s most memorable moments. The two have collaborated before, from their 2013 “Chickeneers” debut to a hilarious 2024 duet about forgetting the drinks for a football party. This time, the inspiration came from a casual brainstorming session during Shelton’s recent visit to New York City to promote his upcoming album. “Jimmy called me up and said, ‘You in for something stupid?’” Shelton recounted in a post-show interview, still chuckling. “I said, ‘Man, you know I’m always in for stupid.’ Next thing I know, I’m squeezing into a chicken suit and clucking my heart out.”
The performance was more than just a gimmick—it was a testament to Shelton’s willingness to embrace the absurd for the sake of entertainment. At 49, the Oklahoma native has built a career on authenticity, blending heartfelt ballads like “God’s Country” with a playful, self-deprecating charm that endears him to fans. His time as a coach on The Voice showcased his quick wit, but it’s moments like these, where he dives headfirst into ridiculousness, that cement his status as a cultural force. “Blake’s the guy who’ll do anything for a laugh,” Fallon said backstage. “But don’t let the chicken suit fool you—he’s a musical genius, and he makes it all look effortless.”
The skit’s timing, just before the Easter weekend in 2025, added a festive flair, with Fallon cheekily dedicating the performance to “all the bunnies and chicks out there.” The set was decked out with hay bales, a cartoonish barnyard backdrop, and even a few rogue feathers floating through the air, enhancing the absurdity. Yet, beneath the silliness, the performance was musically spot-on, a nod to The Lumineers’ original track that earned praise from the band itself. “We’re honored to be clucked,” the Denver-based group posted on X, sharing a clip of the performance. “Blake, Jimmy, Nick—you’ve made ‘Ho Hey’ immortal.”
Fans on social media were quick to crown the moment as a late-night classic. “I didn’t know I needed Blake Shelton clucking in a chicken suit until now,” one user wrote, while another quipped, “Move over, Grammy Awards—this is the performance of the decade.” Memes flooded X, with GIFs of Shelton’s wing-flapping guitar solo and Fallon’s over-the-top mandolin strumming going viral. Even Gwen Stefani, Shelton’s wife, got in on the fun, posting a photo of herself watching the broadcast with their kids, captioning it, “My favorite chicken just laid a golden egg on TV! @blakeshelton.” The post racked up millions of likes, with fans marveling at the couple’s ability to keep things lighthearted amidst their high-profile careers.
Behind the laughter, the performance carried a deeper resonance. Shelton, who stepped away from The Voice in 2023 to focus on family and music, has spoken openly about finding joy in life’s simpler moments. “I’ve been in this business long enough to know what matters,” he said in a recent interview. “Singing in a chicken suit with my buddies? That’s the good stuff.” For Fallon, the skit was a return to his roots as a comedic innovator, a reminder of why The Tonight Show remains a cultural touchstone. Offerman, known for his deadpan humor as Ron Swanson, brought his own gravitas, later joking on X, “I’ve played bass for many bands, but The Chickeneers might be my proudest gig.”
The performance also sparked nostalgia for the original “Chickeneers” skit in 2013, when Shelton, Fallon, Offerman, and Tartaro first clucked their way through “Ho Hey” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. That moment, too, went viral, with fans praising the group’s ability to balance musicality with absurdity. The 2025 reprise felt like a full-circle moment, a celebration of enduring friendships and the power of music to unite through laughter. “We had to bring it back,” Fallon said on air. “The world needs more chickens right now.”
As the dust (or feathers) settles, the performance is already being hailed as a defining moment of 2025 television. It’s a reminder that in an era of polished celebrity personas, there’s still room for unscripted, unapologetic fun. Shelton, Fallon, and their feathered crew didn’t just cover a song—they created a cultural phenomenon, one that will be clucked about for years to come. Whether you’re a country music fan, a late-night enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good laugh, this performance was a masterclass in joy. So, here’s to Blake Shelton, Jimmy Fallon, and The Chickeneers—may they keep crossing the road to deliver moments like these.
