Bootleg Betty Happy 12th Anniversary To Bette Midler’s Debut Appearance on Jimmy Fallon By Mister D November 5, 2026
This appearance was part of the launch campaign for Bette Midler’s 2014 album It’s The Girls, celebrating classic girl-group music.
Additionally, she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 5, 2014, a day after the album’s release.
Additionally, what happened on the show?
Bette was both the featured interview guest and the musical guest on the episode. She sat down with Jimmy Fallon for a chat and later performed a song from the new album.
However, what song did she sing?
Bette performed ‘Waterfalls,’ the TLC hit she had reinvented for It’s The Girls. The performance featured her signature theatrical style. Consequently, it took a contemporary girl-group classic and filtered it through Bette’s vintage-pop sensibility.
Was this an anniversary appearance?
Bette Midler
Not exactly. The appearance itself was primarily a promotional visit tied to It’s The Girls rather than a career anniversary special.
However, the album celebrated decades of female vocal groups, from The Boswell Sisters and The Andrews Sisters to The Supremes and TLC, making it something of a retrospective project looking back across musical eras.
Promotion Timeline
Marc Shaiman, who produced It’s The Girls, was present during the show’s musical segment. He is credited with providing musical support on the episode. The episode also featured comedian Jim Gaffigan as a guest. These details highlight the creative collaboration behind the broadcast.
The timing was perfect promotion. Bette had just released It’s The Girls on November 4, 2014. She used the Fallon appearance to introduce the project to a national audience. Bootleg Betty Trivia. The strategic timing amplified national awareness. That connection mattered.
For Bette fans, this performance is noteworthy because “Waterfalls” became a signature track for It’s The Girls.
Additionally, it stood alongside “Be My Baby,” “One Fine Day,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.”
It was an unexpected TV choice, choosing a 1990s TLC hit over a standard, underscoring that girl-group music didn’t stop.
And in true Bette fashion, she arrived looking like she was having a ball. The interview was relaxed, funny, and celebratory, with Fallon treating her like the living legend she is. ?
