Polar Plungers take an icy dip in Lake Michigan in 2013’s event. | Sun-Times photo
Jimmy Fallon says Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has an open invitation to be a guest on “The Tonight Show.”
“I don’t mess with that guy,” Fallon said in a Monday Sun-Times story, where he played up Rahm’s reputation as a guy who gets what he wants — or else. “All he has to do is make a phone call. He can host if he wants to. I’m scared of that guy.”
On Wednesday, Emanuel took to Twitter to extend an invite of his own to the new host of NBC’s late-night institution:
.@jimmyfallon thanks for the invite. I'll come on your show if you do the Chicago Polar Plunge with me. I promise it isn’t scary. Deal? –MRE
— Archive: Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@MayorRahm) February 19, 2014
Thx for the invite @jimmyfallon. You should toughen up for the big leagues. Do the Chicago Polar Plunge with me and I’ll join @FallonTonight
— Rahm Emanuel (@RahmEmanuel) February 19, 2014
It’s on.
Emanuel’s press secretary Tarrah Cooper confirmed Wednesday that the mayor promises to be on Fallon’s show if Fallon joins him and some other brave souls at North Avenue Beach the morning of Sunday, March 2, for a refreshing dip in icy Lake Michigan.
Emanuel agreed to do the Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Chicago, because local kids met a goal last summer of reading 2.1 million books as part of the citywide Chicago Summer of Learning program.
Fallon responded to Rahm’s throwdown on Thursday:
I don't know @RahmEmanuel... How do I know this isn't a set up? Chicago - if I do this - will you have my back? #PolarPlunge
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) February 20, 2014
Rahm’s camp is amping up the pressure:
#Chicago: use the hashtag #jimmyplungewithus to convince @jimmyfallon to take the Chicago #PolarPlunge with the Mayor.
— Archive: Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@MayorRahm) February 20, 2014
Who knows? This might just happen. After all, Fallon let Harrison Ford pierce his ear on “Late Night.” The Polar Plunge might be less painful.
