Jon Hamm and Jimmy Fallon’s remake of Creed’s ‘With Arms Wide Open’ is the LOL moment you need

Jon Hamm and Jimmy Fallon’s Hilarious Creed Parody is the Perfect Monday Morning Laugh

Jon Hamm and Jimmy Fallon brought the laughs to Sunday night’s The Tonight Show, offering a hilarious remake of Creed’s iconic song “With Arms Wide Open.” Fans of both the actor and the late-night host were treated to a nostalgic and absurd parody that quickly became an earworm for the week.

Hamm, known for his role in Mad Men and more recently Landman, made his 12th appearance on The Tonight Show this week. During their segment, he and Fallon playfully reminisced about their time together pretending to be the famous 90s rock band, Creed. Fallon prompted Hamm with a joke about their past, saying, “Do you remember when we used to be Creed?” to which Hamm responded with a nostalgic “Of course.” Fallon then referred to a time they “dressed up as Creed” in a music video, joking about a shoot that took place on a scenic Scottish glen. “I remember it like it was just yesterday,” Hamm said, before the two took the bit even further.

The two comedians appeared in a pre-taped skit in which they fully embraced the look and feel of Creed’s frontman, Scott Stapp. Dressed in wigs that mimicked Stapp’s signature shoulder-length hair and yellow jackets paired with black leather pants, Hamm and Fallon embodied the 90s rockstar style in the most over-the-top way. They performed “With Arms Wide Open,” the 1999 ballad that made Creed a household name.

The duo took their reenactment to new comedic heights as they staged the performance inside a giant bird’s nest on top of a mountain peak. In a parody of the intense passion Stapp is known for in the original music video, Hamm and Fallon threw their arms wide open in dramatic, exaggerated fashion while singing the heartfelt lyrics. The absurdity of the performance—set in a seemingly impossible location—was perfectly matched by the earnestness of their singing, making it both funny and oddly endearing.

As the skit continued, the two friends embraced each other in a comedic hug, only to find snacks hidden in each other’s jackets. Hamm was caught snacking on some potato chips he had found in Fallon’s jacket, while Fallon pulled out what looked like a french fry from Hamm’s pocket, further adding to the ridiculousness of the situation. Their playful antics, combined with their spot-on impressions of Creed’s famous rock persona, gave the sketch a lighthearted charm that left the audience in stitches.

The parody comes at a time when Creed, known for other hits like “Higher” and “My Sacrifice,” is experiencing a bit of a resurgence. The band, originally active from the mid-90s to the mid-2000s, kicked off a highly anticipated reunion tour in July. In an interview with Billboard, lead singer Scott Stapp spoke about the band’s comeback, saying, “To see that happening for Creed, with a whole new generation of fans and listeners? It’s just… very rewarding.”

Creed’s reunion tour, which has attracted significant attention and fans from both older generations and younger listeners discovering their music, has certainly boosted the band’s relevance. The wave of nostalgia surrounding their return made Hamm and Fallon’s parody of “With Arms Wide Open” even more timely and hilarious. In their skit, the two perfectly captured the earnestness and melodrama that made Creed’s music both beloved and often parodied in pop culture.

As for Hamm and Fallon’s friendship, this sketch was another example of the two’s long-running camaraderie. Fallon has been known for his lighthearted sense of humor, often bringing out the playful side of his guests. Hamm’s willingness to embrace the absurdity of the bit added to the success of the parody. It also highlighted Hamm’s versatility as an entertainer, willing to go along with whatever wacky idea Fallon proposes.

For those who tuned into The Tonight Show, the Creed remake was the ideal Monday morning pick-me-up. It was silly, fun, and a reminder of how good it feels to laugh at the very things we once took seriously—whether it’s an iconic rock band or a ridiculous sketch with a late-night host. If anything, it was the perfect antidote to the start of a busy week, bringing viewers a dose of comedy that was both nostalgic and absurd.