Jimmy Fallon, ‘Your Host … For Now,’ Takes Over ‘Tonight’

The new guy’s getting pretty good reviews.

Jimmy Fallon took over NBC’s The Tonight Show on Monday night, saying he just wants “to do the best I can … make you laugh and put a smile on your face.”

I’m “your host … for now,” the comic cracked at one point — an indirect reference to the last time NBC tried to replace his predecessor, Jay Leno, only to give up and bring Leno back after less than eight months.

The night’s guests included the band U2 and actor Will Smith. A parade of celebrities — including actor Robert De Niro and pop star Lady Gaga — walked on to hand Fallon $100. They had supposedly bet against him ever taking over the show from Leno. Comedy Central competitor Stephen Colbert was the last to pay up. He showered Fallon with pennies.

After a 42-year absence, the show has moved back to Manhattan, where it began. The morning-after reports on Fallon are generally quite good:

— “Mr. Fallon’s debut was more sweet than sassy.” (The New York Times)

— Fallon’s jokes were “good-natured, playful, never mean.” (The Hollywood Reporter)

— “The laughs came easy.” (CNN)

— “Fallon is an easy-to-like TV persona with a gentle style that seems well-suited to Tonight, and he’ll most likely settle in.” (USA Today)

— “If Jimmy Fallon had already proven he was a natural hosting NBC’s Late Night, he left no doubt Monday that The Tonight Show now fits him like a glove.” (The Associated Press)

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