When NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” comes to Detroit on Sept. 14, the guests will be as iconic to the Motor City as a bag of Better Made potato chips and a mug of Vernors pop.

Actor Keegan-Michael Key, who grew up in Detroit and is best known for the classic comedy series “Key & Peele,” and Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham will join Fallon for the taping at the historic Detroit Opera House.

Also appearing will be musical guest Common featuring Bilal and the essential “Tonight Show” house band, the Roots.

The episode, which will begin taping at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 14, will air on Sept. 15 and stream on Peacock the following day.

Fallon is taking his show on the road for one day as part of a five-year partnership with Ford Motor Co., which on Sept. 10 introduced its new global brand marketing campaign, “Ready, Set, Ford.” 

As he prepared for the trip, the late-night host took time out to field some email questions from the Free Press. “I can confirm there will be a lot of Detroit love happening that night,” he replied when asked about the guest list.

The Motor City is sure to provide a lot of Fallon love right back at him. 

QUESTION: You’re the first late-night host to bring his show to Detroit since Jimmy Kimmel in 2006. Why are you making the trip in collaboration with Ford?ANSWER: We’ve been working with Ford for five years and it’s a partnership we love. We’ve been talking with them about how we could bring the show to Detroit for a while now and this year we finally said we’re doing it — how can we make this work? Ford has been great to us and we’re so excited to bring the party to Detroit. Q: You famously drive a Ford F-150.  If you were a salesperson, how would you convince us to buy one?A: There is soooo much room on the inside of that truck. It’s bigger than my first apartment. It’s just great and reliable and also you get that nod from other F-150 owners that’s like — he gets it.  Q: Speaking of Ford vehicles, any chance you’ll be following Oprah’s lead and giving one to every member of Sunday’s audience?A: Hahaha. I’ve left word for Oprah. So far she hasn’t gotten back to me. Q: You co-starred in the 2009 roller derby movie filmed here, “Whip It,” directed by and starring Drew Barrymore and executive-produced by your wife, Nancy Juvonen. What are your favorite memories of that visit?A: While we were filming “Whip It,” I went to a party at an old bank that a bunch of artists had turned into a studio. It was probably around midnight, and a guy came in on his mountain bike, and I was like, “You mountain-biked here?” and he said you haven’t experienced Detroit unless you’ve biked through the city in the middle of the night. I told him if he could find another bike I’d do it with him, and then he went and got another bike. So, I mountain-biked through downtown Detroit with this kid at one in the morning and it was awesome. Q: Along with comedy, music is one of your many talents. What is your go-to Motown song for karaoke?A: I once sang “Easy” with Lionel Richie — does that count? Q: The Detroit cred test: What toppings do you put on your coney dog? A: What toppings don’t I put on my coney dog? Load me up — chili, onions and mustard.Q: You do a segment with photos of Jimmy Fallon look-alikes. What about this one of Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates? If you put on a helmet, you’d practically be twins.A: Oh my gosh, he’s much better looking than me. But there’s a Lions game that night, and if they win, they’re all invited to come across the street to “The Tonight Show” taping — so we’ll be rooting for them!

“The Tonight Show” episode from Detroit can be seen Sept. 15 at 11:35 p.m. on NBC (WDIV-TV, Local 4 in Detroit).

Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.