Fallon, Palin poke fun of Putin, get ‘Happy’ on ‘Tonight’

Sarah Palin may be on the payroll of Fox News, but she’s no stranger to the inside of “30 Rock.� On Wednesday, the former Alaska governor paid a surprise visit to “The Tonight Show� at its new home.

The world’s most famous hockey mom, whose new outdoor show, “Amazing America,� happens to premiere Thursday on the Sportsman Channel, teamed up with host Jimmy Fallon to poke a little fun at Russian President Vladimir Putin -- and even at herself.

In the sketch, Putin (played by Fallon) gives Palin a call to discuss how she predicted his invasion of the Ukraine back in 2008. “I could have used your predicting powers in office March Madness pool,� said “Putin,� asking the governor how her bracket was faring.

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“Thanks for asking. Bracket’s good,� she said. “You know he’s going to be 6 this month.�

The crack about the her family’s penchant for unique first names -- Willow, Track, Trig, etc. -- was followed by another good-natured joke at Palin’s expense. Fallon-as-Putin and Palin teamed for a duet of Pharrell Williams’ infectious hit “Happy,� with the musically gifted comedian showing his versatility by playing a balalaika (a.k.a. one of those triangular guitar thingies), while the former Republican vice presidential candidate tooted away on a flute, just as she did back in her beauty pageant days.

The bit ended with an all but inevitable joke about Alaska’s proximity to Russia as “Putin� complained he was out of vodka. Luckily, his “neighbor� Palin was so close, she was able to come to the rescue in a matter of seconds. Crisis averted.

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