Ryder Chasin Bought An Unplanned, Legally Banned, Off-Brand Rapid Test. And Won $1,000.

When Jimmy Fallon’s team picks 2 “Tonight Show” audience members to write a song in less than an hour, the result is usually impressive.

Last night, it was Ryder Chasin turn. The result was brilliant.

The 2014 Staples High School graduate — sporting a Staples baseball cap, no less — was given his title: “I Bought an Off-Brand Rapid Test.”

You or I might be intimidated. Ryder was confident.

For one thing, he’s a writer at Sesame Workshop. For another, he majored in journalism, and minored in film, media studies and creative non-fiction at Northwestern University.

For a third, he’s used to performing (as a member of the Players drama troupe) and pressure (as a baseball player). He’s also multi-talented: In high school he worked on radio and TV production, and was a Top Hat tutor and National Honor Society student.

Oh, yeah: He’s done improv, too.

Ryder looked completely confident as he joked with Fallon. He sauntered over to the electric organ — not a piano, as he corrected the host — smiled, and belted out a very clever tune.

His hour’s work earned him $1,000. Plus a “Tonight Show” notebook to write more songs in.

And the applause of a grateful audience, which has had far too little to laugh about where COVID is concerned.

Click below for the entire clip:

(Hat tips: Dan Donovan, John McCarthy and Beth Cody)

12 responses to “Ryder Chasin Bought An Unplanned, Legally Banned, Off-Brand Rapid Test. And Won $1,000.

  1. I hardly ever click on videos, especially from late night comedy shows, which are not to my liking. But, for some crazy reason, I clicked on this one. Surprise — this guy is SO good that it makes you wonder if it’s a hoax, and he actually had a team of musician/writers working on it for days. Amazing how much talent we have around here.

  2. OK that was really effing cool

  3. Kathryn D Coster

    That was the best !!!!

  4. Terry Brannigan

    Holy Mackerel that was amazing! Ryder representing! My money says that the Jimmy Falon show offers him a job!

  5. Dan! Mondo cool! Go Ryder Chasin!

  6. Ryder has always been multi-talented. What a performance—I’m blown away!!!

  7. Big bunch of talent there that is – good on Ryder —- and yet, had the Roomba been a Rumba….

  8. Ciara Webster

    Brilliant

  9. Julie Van Norden

    That was amazing! So clever! I had the same thought that Jimmy Fallon might offer him a job.

  10. Absolutely brilliant!!

  11. The output of the keyboard was more of a Fender Rhodes than an organ. :^)

  12. So much talent. Encore!! Congrats Ryder!!