Episode 1

The only thing that remains of the Late night with Jimmy Fallon is his Wikipedia page and 969 hours of memories from the last five years, but last night a new era began...or did it?

Since Fallon’s sign off just a short two weeks ago, we see him back on the NBC airwaves and back in his home, Studio 6B in NBC’s 30 Rock, the place where the Tonight Show all started.  

I, for one, am a huge Fallon fan, having watched nearly all 969 episodes I could tell you what worked and what didn’t.* But Monday we finally got to see young Fallon take the reigns of the biggest show in late night television, The Tonight Show.

*Justin Timberlake, works. (Melissa's Note: Justin Timberlake ALWAYS works).

But what’s really new? The house band of Late Night, the Roots, came with Fallon, as well as Announcer, SNL Producer, and every voice you can think of, funny man, Steve Higgins. Even every member of his writing staff made the move to NY.  So here it comes, fade to black and as 11pm Central roles around we see a new era on The Tonight Show.

First noticeable difference, a slower, more extravagant open directed by Spike Lee.* Starting in black and white with a new song created by the Root’s Questlove, the video turns into color and shots of the city. Immediately we see Fallon wanting something to eat, but instead of running every where like in his Late Night open, he walks around the city reaching 30 Rock at the end with a smile on his face as if he’s finally arrived to where he’s always wanted to be.

*Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: A Spike Lee Joint

The new studio…what a new studio it is. Hard to believe that's where Late Night started. Lavish hardwood, yellowish goldish walls and a giant blue curtain.*  Viewers of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno will be shocked to see such a small studio, but hey, it makes it more inviting and cozy for the studio audience.

*The curtain, also made the trip over from Late Night. 

I really could’ve done without the introductions for the first five or so minutes of the show. Like on the first day of school in college, I understand why he did it, but I guess as someone who knows everything about Fallon, I wanted him to move on to something different.* Fallon was emotional, as he has been through this whole process, but good for him. He gets it and understands the history, something Conan didn’t really seem to grasp when he took the reigns of The Tonight Show, which only lasted six months. (Melissa's Note: Heh... Nevermind my cousin, TBS and Conan O'Brien. I love Conan and think he was robbed of The Tonight Show desk. Clint has no idea what he's talking about... )

*I'm not a creeper.

Clearly, Fallon won’t have any problems getting A-List stars to come on his show; 13 stars paid up Fallon after losing a bet that he would never host The Tonight Show. Good to see his best friend and mortal enemy for six months, Stephen Colbert end the line of celebs dousing Fallon with 100 bucks in coins, taking a selfie and finishing by saying “WELCOME TO 11:30 BITCH"!

Now to what made Fallon great on Late Night. He kicks off with a Evolution of Hip Hop Dance. Even my mom, who is 56 (sure, i think that's close (Melissa's Note: You should have gone younger, Cousin...)) said this sketch was cute. She’s never seen Fallon before in her life and she’s already on board. Will Smith was a great sport, like most celebs are with Fallon, and the crowd goes wild.

If you haven’t heard, the show is back in New York after 42 years and Fallon did a tremendous job of showcasing this gorgeous city, but having U2 play their new song “invisible” on top of 30 Rock as the sun sets in the background, the city looking absolutely beautiful. Well played Fallon, Well played.

The interviews with Will Smith and U2 were to be expected. Fallon charming as usual, and clearly having fun with that infections smile and laugh.

All in all not a bad start for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and with the guests lined up for the rest of the week, the show shows no sign of slowing down. It’s as if Fallon is telling the world “HERE I COME!”