But did he really, Jimmy Fallon?

American comic Jimmy Fallon has accused Jonathan Ross of stealing one of his ideas.

The US comedian claimed on air that Ross had ‘run out of ideas’ after getting Christopher Walken to read the lyrics of Lady Gaga's Poker Face in deadpan manner on his BBC chat show.

Fallon mocked Ross for stealing the idea, as he had persuaded Jude Law to read the same words on his NBC talk show in September – a month before Walken’s appearance.

When Law returned to Fallon’s late night show on Friday, the host said: ‘Last time you were on the show we did this bit and it caused a little sensation.  We asked you to read the lyrics to Lady Gaga's Poker Face… It was all over the web - it went viral.

‘Then there's this guy Jonathan Ross out in England, this is about a month later, he has Christopher Walken come on and read the lyrics to Lady Gaga’s Poker Face.’

Law said: ‘It’s late night wobbery! You were wobbed by Jonathan Woss - I say this because he's got this terrible lisp.’

Fallon then showed both clips and said: ‘Jonathan, what's going on? What's the deal buddy? Can we help you? He’s run out of ideas.’

However, Ross actually did a version of the gag first, having asked Samuel L Jackson to read the lyrics to Joe Dolce’s novelty hit Shaddap You Face on air two years ago.

And in any case, the idea of speaking pop lyrics is nothing new: William Shatner gave dramatic readings of Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds and Mr. Tambourine Man on an album 40 years ago.

Here is Law on Fallon’s show:

Here is Walken’s version:

And here is Samuel L Jackson doing Shaddap You Face:

Published: 20 Dec 2009