Review of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon's First Show

I watched Jimmy Fallon's first show as the new host of Late Night. Overall, I thought it was pretty good, although Jimmy was visibly nervous and his rushed speaking caused him to slur some words, especially the name of the show as he went to commercial.

The monologue was passable, although Jimmy was super nervous and had obviously been studying old Johnny Carson tapes on how to carry himself. It was not nearly as good as his work on SNL's Weekend Update, although I enjoyed the "news slow jam" about the stimulus bill. The jokes nearly wrote themselves on that routine and singer of The Roots --What? An actual recording band is the show band? I sure hope they are the permanent band because they were awesome! -- did a great job with it.

Jimmy's guests were Robert De Niro, Justin Timberlake, and musical guest Van Morrison. I think Bob and Justin were doing Jimmy personal favours by appearing on his first show. Van Morrison is an enigma, I guess he was simply plugging his new album, which Jimmy showed us was an actual vinyl LP record!

Jimmy did well with his interviews, although it helped greatly to have pals on the sofa, rather than say, Joaquin Phoenix.

I think most people thought De Niro was rude to Jimmy, since he barely looked Jimmy in the eye, but I think it was Bob acting that way. He is a great actor, after all! Either that, or he was so embarrassed by the short clip of Space Train, which was just an SNL skit gone wrong. I think the premise sounded a lot funnier to the writers than how it turned out. Plus, how far can you go with it: a movie about space travellers who are scared to fly so they take a train to space? Anyway, I enjoyed Bob's appearance.

The highlight was definitely Justin Timberlake. He very briefly reprised his role as Robin Gibb when the show band The Roots played the theme to the SNL skit Barry Gibb Talk Show. That skit is one of the best ever in SNL history and Justin's appearances on SNL have been memorable. Justin also did an OK impression of John Mayer and a good one of Michael MacDonald singing a jingle for Bud Light Lime.

Van Morrison played a song that no one had heard before, one that featured all 30 or so members of his band (at least it seemed like that many). The DVR didn't record the last couple of minutes - why don't they start shows on time? - but I don't think I missed anything.

Overall, it was a pretty good first effort. Jimmy has some pretty heavy hitters on as guests this week. It will be hard to keep up with that pace for the second and following weeks. Jimmy said as much in a funny but really understated skit with Conan at the start of the show. It was a scene with Conan packing up his stuff from his dressing room while Jimmy prepares for the show, in the same dressing room. Conan played it really well and the uncomfortable pauses were very The Office.

It was a good opener but I will miss Conan's timing, his quick wit as well as his wacky humour. I hope he isn't stifled too much by the Tonight Show people, who may be scared to unleash the full Conan (wasn't that a British movie? The Full Conan) on audiences in an earlier time slot. Best of luck to both of them in their new roles as late night talk show hosts on my favourite channel, NBC.