Shaquille O’Neal may have retired from basketball, but his competitive spirit hasn’t gone anywhere – especially when it comes to late-night television.
The four-time NBA champion recently returned to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for his 18th appearance, only to discover he’s no longer the top recurring guest.
That honor now belongs to Michael Strahan, who holds the record with 21 visits. Never one to miss a chance for some friendly trash talk, Shaq responded in classic style.
“I’ve been on here 18 times, but I hear I’m not the number-one guy. Michael Strahan, I’m coming for you!” O’Neal said with a grin, making it clear that he plans to reclaim the throne.
Strahan, the former NFL star turned TV personality, made headlines not just for his Tonight Show milestone, but also for recent remarks about Taylor Swift.
During a segment on 4SE, he said, “Taylor Swift is one of the best things to happen in the NFL.” The statement, referencing Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, drew both praise and criticism from fans, who have debated the league’s growing pop culture crossover.
While the controversy swirled online, Shaq stayed laser-focused on the guest count leaderboard – and expanded his list of rivals.
Fallon visits, gummy drops, and a Kobe tribute
O’Neal didn’t just target Strahan. He also called out Andy Cohen, host of Watch What Happens Live, who trails just behind with 20 appearances.
“And guess what? Andy Cohen, I’m gonna beat your a**, too. Michael’s been on 24… Andy’s been on 20, and I’ve been on 18,” Shaq teased, mixing his trademark bravado with a wink.
His return to Fallon wasn’t just about the numbers. It was another signature Shaq moment – funny, nostalgic, and surprisingly heartfelt. He showed up with a bag of Shaq-a-licious gummies, his latest product in partnership with Hershey’s, and quickly had the crowd laughing. But the segment took a deeper turn when Fallon presented a series of throwback photos.
One showed O’Neal in a game against Michael Jordan, which he remembered vividly: “Like every other kid back then, I had a poster of MJ on my wall.” Another image captured the moment he shattered a backboard during a game against Derrick Coleman, a pointed response to being dunked on.
But the most touching memory came from a photo of Shaq giving Kobe Bryant a piggyback ride ahead of Game 3 of the 2000 NBA Finals. Bryant had twisted his ankle and was struggling to walk.
“Kobe was probably one of the toughest kids I’ve ever met. I knew he was gonna play… I didn’t want him wearing his ankle out… I was like, ‘Let me carry you to the arena, get your treatment, because I need you to do what you do tonight.’ So that was many of the things that, you know, we used to do,” Shaq said, reflecting on their bond.
Though he jokes about being the “No. 1 guy” on Fallon‘s guest list, Shaquille O’Neal‘s appearances continue to leave an impact. Whether he’s cracking jokes, reminiscing about the NBA, or promoting his latest venture, Shaq always delivers – and he’s not done chasing that top spot just yet.
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