Wearing a light grey suit, white shirt and skinny navy tie, Fallon told his audience at 30 Rock's newly re-designed Studio 6-B (the original Tonight Show studio before Johnny Carson took the show to Burbank in 1972) that his goal is to "put a smile on your face." But he also assured that, contrary to his good-boy image, he will "make fun of everybody. Anyone I can make fun, of I will."
With that he acknowledged, the aforementioned, one-time elephant in the room. "Welcome to The Tonight Show. I'm Jimmy Fallon and I'll be your host -- for now." He continued: "Of course I wouldn't be here tonight if it weren't for the previous Tonight Show hosts, so I want to say thank you to Steve Allen, Jack Parr, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno."
Fallon ran through an Olympic-themed version of his "Superlatives" segment that was also a regular feature on his Late Night program. A "History of Hip-Hop" video featured Fallon and guest Will Smith both wearing 80s era denim overalls with one-strap down while demonstrating everything from The Cabbage Patch and The Running Man, to The Making it Rain and The Picking up the Money ('cause that's all you had).
There was a mid-show performance from musical guest U2 at the Top of the Rock, the observation deck 70 stories above Manhattan that boasts gorgeous panoramic views of the city. The band performed their new single "Invisible" against the backdrop of a late evening.
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But the highlight of the show for late night fans will likely be an early segment that stands as among the most impressive booking coups in television. As Fallon primed the audience for Smith and U2 ("Their musical performance is going to blow your pants off," he promised), he added seemingly as an aside: "I can't believe this is happening. I want to say thanks to all the fans for all of their support. And to my buddy who said that I'd never be the host of The Tonight Show -- and you know who you are -- you owe me a hundred bucks."
With that, Robert DeNiro walked out from backstage and without a word slapped a $100 bill on Fallon's desk. He was followed by Tina Fey, Joe Namath, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani (who thanked Fallon for "bringing it back to New York"), Mariah Carey (who pulled $100 from deep within her cleavage, encased in a black evening gown), Joan Rivers, Kim Kardashian, Seth Rogen, Mike Tyson, Lady Gaga (wearing a black fish-net body stocking and little else), Lindsay Lohan, Tracy Morgan, Sarah Jessica Parker (who was carrying the $100 in her right stiletto) and finally Stephen Colbert.
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Tom's Take: Obviously, Jimmy Fallon had some first-show jitters, for example at times he seemed to be shouting at Will Smith vs. having a conversation. Other than that, the first night was solid and Tonight Show fans sure to enjoy the new show.
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