Former ‘Tonight Show’ intern graduates
Sirianni mentored Cable 8 students, represented WSU in LA and New York
May 4, 2018
From A to Z, graduating communication major Jake Sirianni reflected on the many opportunities he has experienced from the start to the end of his time at WSU.
Last summer, Sirianni got the chance of a lifetime, when he flew to New York City to intern for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
“It was a dream come true,” Sirianni said.
He applied for the internship by releasing a video of him rapping about why he would be the best candidate.
This video replicated Fallon’s “Alphabet Aerobics,” which Daniel Radcliffe previously rapped when he was a guest on the show. Sirianni cropped out Radcliffe, replacing the actor with himself. The video concluded with Fallon holding up signs that Sirianni edited to read “Hire Jake.”
The video went viral, racking up more than 280,000 views.
In a matter of two days, Sirianni was selected for the job, and Fallon himself announced the decision on the Tonight Show.
“I lived in New York for three months,” Sirianni said. “I would get in around 10 every morning and leave around 7, but the things that would happen each day would be different. Everything from coffee and copies, to passing by the world’s biggest stars.”
Sirianni said his time as a student was not the only thing that prepared him for the internship. He also credited the experiences and personal connections he has made over the past four years.
“Get involved as much as you can outside of class because that’s where the memories happen,” he said.
As outgoing president and general manager of WSU’s student-run television group, Cable 8 Productions, Sirianni has always had a passion for videography and comedy.
With the Cable 8 executive office door flung wide open every day in Murrow Hall, Sirianni describes his time at the production group as a very memorable experience.
“I’ve been interested in video production ever since the fourth grade,” he said. “I think that was the first time I got to hold a camera.”
At Cable 8, Sirianni spends most of his time ensuring the organization runs smoothly and checking in to see how others are doing. He also collaborates with people and creates his own work.
Through Cable 8 alone, Sirianni had the opportunity to work with famous stars like Howie Mandel. During his time at WSU, he also interned in Los Angeles with a post-production company, which focused on the editing portion of filmmaking.
During his final week at WSU, Sirianni said he is going to miss the people he has met in Cable 8, as well as Pullman’s scenery.
“Some of the best views of the world are here,” Sirianni said. “[I’ll miss the] really pretty sunsets, and walking down the Mall.”