The Kids Tonight Show - Yara Shahidi (S1E9)
Activist, model and star of "Grownish" Yara Shahidi joins the show to talk about her cool karate skills; pointless PSAs, mayhem times a million and a hilarious game of history trivia.
| Air Date | 2021-11-11 |
|---|---|
| TV Rating | TV-G |
| Network(s) | Peacock |
Storyline
In this episode of "The Kids Tonight Show," actress and activist Yara Shahidi appears as the featured guest. Known for her starring role in the television series "Grownish" and her work as a model and advocate, Shahidi sits down with the young hosts to discuss her martial arts background, specifically her karate training and skills. The conversation explores how she balances her entertainment career with her passion for activism and personal interests.
The episode also features several comedy segments that are staples of the show's format. The hosts present a sketch about pointless public service announcements, poking fun at overly earnest or absurd PSAs. A segment described as "mayhem times a million" brings physical comedy and energetic antics to the stage. Shahidi participates in a history trivia game with the hosts, testing her knowledge of historical facts in a lighthearted, competitive format that showcases both her intelligence and sense of humor.
What kids learn
Children watching this episode can learn about the importance of pursuing diverse interests and developing skills outside of a primary career or passion. Yara Shahidi's discussion of her karate training demonstrates that even busy professionals make time for physical activity, discipline, and personal growth. Young viewers see that learning martial arts or other hobbies can complement academic and professional pursuits rather than compete with them.
The history trivia game segment reinforces that learning about the past can be entertaining rather than purely academic. When a successful young actress engages enthusiastically with historical questions, children receive the message that knowledge and curiosity are valued traits. The playful competition shows that it's acceptable to not know every answer and that learning happens through both success and mistakes.
Shahidi's presence as a guest who balances acting, modeling, and activism provides a model of using one's platform for causes beyond entertainment. Children learn that public figures can leverage their visibility to advocate for issues they care about, demonstrating that career success and social responsibility can coexist. The episode subtly encourages young viewers to think about how their own talents and interests might serve purposes larger than themselves.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is Yara Shahidi and why might my child recognize her? | Yara Shahidi is an actress best known for starring in the television series "Grownish," a spinoff of the popular family sitcom "Black-ish." She has also appeared in films and worked as a model. Beyond entertainment, Shahidi is recognized for her activism, particularly around education and social justice issues. She has been vocal about civic engagement and founded Eighteenth & Twenty-First, a creative platform encouraging young voter participation. Her multifaceted career makes her a recognizable figure to tweens and teens who follow contemporary television. |
| What does my child learn from the karate discussion in this episode? | The conversation about Shahidi's karate skills exposes children to the idea that martial arts training develops discipline, focus, and physical confidence. Hearing a successful actress discuss her practice normalizes the pursuit of athletic skills alongside academic or creative work. Children learn that martial arts aren't just about fighting but about personal development and setting goals. The segment may inspire kids to explore martial arts themselves or simply appreciate the value of committing to a challenging physical activity that requires patience and consistent effort. |
| Is the comedy in this episode appropriate for elementary-aged children? | The episode features sketch comedy including a parody of public service announcements and a high-energy physical comedy segment. These sketches are designed for a young audience and rely on absurdist humor and slapstick rather than mature themes. The "pointless PSAs" segment teaches media literacy by gently mocking overly dramatic messaging, while the "mayhem" segment delivers physical comedy similar to classic kids' variety shows. Parents of sensitive children may want to preview the physical comedy to ensure their child is comfortable with energetic, chaotic humor. |
| Does the history trivia game make learning feel fun or stressful? | The history trivia segment is presented in a lighthearted, game-show format where the emphasis is on entertainment rather than high-stakes competition. Shahidi's participation demonstrates that even accomplished people don't know everything, which can relieve pressure children might feel about academic performance. The playful tone encourages curiosity about historical facts without creating anxiety about right or wrong answers. Parents can use this segment as a springboard for conversations about historical topics that interest their child, reinforcing that learning is an ongoing, enjoyable process rather than a test to pass. |
| What messages about activism does this episode convey to young viewers? | Through Shahidi's presence and her known advocacy work, the episode subtly introduces the concept that young people can care about social issues and use their voices for positive change. While the episode focuses primarily on entertainment, Shahidi's identity as an activist is part of her introduction, normalizing the idea that careers and civic engagement can coexist. This exposure can prompt conversations with children about issues they care about and age-appropriate ways to get involved in their communities, whether through school projects, volunteering, or simply staying informed about current events. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | In the inaugural episode, Jimmy Fallon gives the four kid hosts -- Mykal-Michelle, Recker, Olivia and Dylan -- tips on anchoring a talk show, including how to shoot lasers out of their eyes. |
| 1 | 2 | Dancer, singer and actress JoJo Siwa joins the show, shares why she's proud of being her authentic self this year and plays hilarious and intense house games as part of the JoJo-lympics. |
| 1 | 3 | Questlove and Black Thought - members of "The Tonight Show" house band - join to reminisce about how they met in high school and the key to the perfect birthday party before a surprise performance by Dylan and Recker. |
| 1 | 4 | Popular online creators and well-known pranksters Brent and Lexi Rivera, Jeremy Hutchins and Pierson Wodzynski of AMP World join the show for an epic, legendary games episode. |
| 1 | 5 | "NBC Nightly News" anchor Lester Holt joins the show and shares a funny story about how he couldn't stop giggling during a broadcast, plays a hilarious game of Real or Phony News and partakes in an awesome "Mayhem" party. |
| 1 | 6 | Popular online creators Charli and Dixie D'Amelio join the show and reveal the best and worst parts of working together while being sisters; the hosts compete to see who can make the best ice cream sundae without using their hands. |
| 1 | 7 | Magician Dan White stops by the show and performs some crazy and unforgettable magic tricks; one of the hosts gets cut in half and another gets pied in the face. |
| 1 | 8 | "Frozen" actress Kristen Bell joins to talk about the inspiration behind her new book and to show off her weirdest talent; the hosts play a silly game of "Bell or Not Bell"; Egg-braham Lincoln stops by with some jokes. |
| 1 | 9 | Activist, model and star of "Grownish" Yara Shahidi joins the show to talk about her cool karate skills; pointless PSAs, mayhem times a million and a hilarious game of history trivia. |
| 1 | 10 | Real-life astronaut Mike Massimino joins the show to talk about being in space and plays a fun game of Globe Grab. |
| 1 | 11 | Singer-songwriter and "Clash of the Cover Bands" host Meghan Trainor plays a hilarious game of All About that Bass and shares her favorite vacation memories. |
| 1 | 12 | Yo-yo world champion Gentry Stein shows off some of his most awesome tricks, plays a crazy game of Velcro Madness against host Recker and joins the most yo-yo-tastic mayhem party yet. |
| 1 | 13 | "Annie Live" stars Celina Smith and Tituss Burgess talk about their upcoming musical and play the craziest game of Box of Lies; a visit from a caveman, unboxing galore and Recker gets very confused. |
| 1 | 14 | Olympic skateboarding champion Bryce Wettstein kickflips into the show and answers a jaw-dropping question from a surprise guest; a crazy game of All Ball and the silliest, skateboard-iest mayhem party yet. |
| 1 | 15 | "Saturday Night Live" legend and "Kenan" star Kenan Thompson joins the show to talk about his favourite impressions and a possible "Good Burger" sequel; a crazy game of What's Behind Me and a whole bunch of plopping. |
| 1 | 16 | YouTube star Nastya and online looping genius Marc Rebillet join the Pajama Party episode. |
| 1 | 17 | Miranda Cosgrove of "iCarly" joins the show for some random dancing; actor Matt Damon answers the silliest questions from the What?! Bucket; Twitch superstar Ninja stops by. |
| 1 | 18 | "Glee" star and author Chris Colfer joins the show for a lightning round of questions with Young Dylan; National Spelling Bee champion and Guinness World Record holder Zaila Avant-garde gets a surprise from a special guest. |
| 1 | 19 | Actors Matthew McConaughey and Nick Kroll join to talk about the inspiration behind their "Sing 2" characters; adults spell things, two of the hosts have a Corn-Off and the show examines the origin of yogurt. |
| 1 | 20 | Dancer and actor Pressley Hosbach joins the show to talk about her time on "Dance Moms" and "Stage Fright"; Pressley takes a spin on the Random Dance Generator and unleashes a whole lot of mayhem. |
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