But Fallon started off his first original episode in 11 days with a personal message before weighing in on the new wound in the nation’s race relations opened by Floyd’s death at the hands of a cop.

Promising a “different kind of show,” Fallon right off the bat addressed a controversy that erupted online around the time of Floyd’s death and involved a resurfaced 2000 Saturday Night Live skit featuring then-cast member Fallon appearing in blackface to impersonate SNL alum Chris Rock.

“I respect this guy more than I respect most humans,” Fallon said of Rock.

Last Tuesday, May 26, hours after the controversy sent the hashtag #jimmyfallonisoverparty trending, Fallon issued a brief statement on Twitter, apologizing for making a “terrible” and “unquestionably offensive” decision.

Now, in light of Floyd’s death and the the wave of protests for racial justice, Fallon felt that the brief statement was not enough.

“I realized that I can’t not say I’m horrified and I’m sorry and I’m embarrassed,” Fallon said.

Segueing to the aftermath of Floyd’s death, Fallon said, “We cannot try to bury this again.

Instead of previously announced Lady Gaga, Fallon’s first guest was NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who said of Fallon’s monologue, ‘”That was powerful, but most importantly, it’s about courage.'” The two spoke about ways Fallon could be “a better ally” to the Black community