Michael Stipe Teams Up With Andrew Watt For Late Night Performance of ‘I Played The Fool’: Watch

Stipe and Watt performed "I Played the Fool," the theme song for the new Steve Carrell HBO comedy "Rooster."

Michael Stipe at the HBO Original Comedy Series "Rooster" Premiere on March 03, 2026 in New York, New York.

Stephanie Augello/Variety

It’s been 15 long years since R.E.M. called it a day. Michael Stipe isn’t looking back.

The Rock Hall-inducted singer stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday night (June 2) for a performance of “I Played the Fool,” the theme song for the new Steve Carrell HBO comedy Rooster.