Fallon Premieres To Decent Ratings, Awful Reviews
Filed under: TV News > Conan O'Brien > Jimmy Fallon
After weeks of anticipation, Jimmy Fallon finally took over as host of NBC's Late Night on Monday.
And judging by the ratings, it seems all the media hype definitely helped! Or maybe it was just curiosity?
The show brought in the highest Monday ratings its received in more than three years and was up 35% from Conan O'Brien's average this season.
Watching Fallon, though, it was obvious he was nervous. Thankfully, the show went off without any major problems.
As for the competition, Fallon's debut out-rated Craig Ferguson's debut back in 2005 and even Jimmy Kimmel's back in 2003.
But will viewers tunes in even though the critics weren't so kind?
EW called it "ultra-ordinary — one liners about President Obama and the deficit that sounded like material Jay Leno's writers had faxed over from L.A."
While the Chicago Tribune said Fallon was "Sweaty, tense, uptight, nervous, wound-up, keyed up — pick an adjective."
Despite all that, what did U think of last night's premiere?
[Image via WENN.]
didn't watch
FIRST
Craig Ferguson still "rocks"!
i tought he did great!. he is funny
NEXT………..
It was funny at times. But, you have to give him a break. It was his first episode. If you go back to Lenos or Conans first episode I am sure they acted similar. Overall, I enjoyed it.
tribune's review sounds about right
i used to think he was funny….but i can't remember why
Skipped it-Not surprised the critics didn't like it-NEXT!
yawn.. next!
I predict a quick death for his hosting job
the "lick" game sucked ass
I miss Conan
Re: The Warden – Few thousand-that's a bit generous!HA!
I'm old and can't stay up that late.
I loved conan i even went to a taping of his show…. i liked jimmys show but its weird to say late night with jimmy fallon
It was ok……..I would def watch her show, but common give him a freaking break, it wasn't the best…but it's his first show. He has to get comfortable and i'm pretty sure she will kick ass in the ratings. Perez don't be a bitch, and don't try to bring him down. I bet he didn't let you suck him, and that's why your all pissy and shit.
he was fine and will improve with experience and confidence. critics are weird. they hated conan too and look at him now.
i LOVE jimmy fallon! it was his first show, cut him some slack.
awww I forgot, was it any good?
Re: sianxoxo – Agreed! Mario's kinda boring today.
yeah he was obviously nervous but i think he'll keep getting better and better, once he's more comfortable.
I'll have to Tivo, that time slot is hell on my beauty sleep.
I really liked it. He has a lot of growing to do, but you tube O'brien's first show, and it was just as shaky (AND PANNED by the Critics!!!) This die-hard Conan fan was not disappointed. America lets Jay Leno take a shit on their TV screens every night, surely Fallon will have a chance if that hack still has a job.
FAIL! The guy just isn't talented, or funny, ever. I can't believe he has a job. Lucky for him his wife (Drew Barrymore's BFF and business partner) makes major cash.
Re: mamajud – Hello, mamaj! Maybe during his SNL years?
Perez, you really need to a better job of spelling and grammar checking.
Also, I didn't think Fallon was that funny. I really wanted to like the show, but I wasn't too impressed.
i thought it was all right. Jimmy is a really funny guy. Give him a break, he was probably nervous. Just find funnier things to lick than a fax machine.
Did anyone proofread this post?
I think he'll be ok once he gets used to it.
Jimmy Fallon was boaring on SNL and he was boaring on the late show.
It wasn't great, but I think it will get better with time. I might not watch in the meantime though…..
i have to admit, i love jimmy fallon, but i thought it was truly awful. i got so bored i switched and just watched craig ferguson.
Fuck that dude. He's not funny or entertaining in any way.
Re: BBBoricua loves Angels & Demons… – probably right…..weekend update
"While the Chicago Tribune said Fallon was "Sweaty, tense, uptight, nervous, wound-up, keyed up — pick an adjective."
coked-up?
No way, Jose. I didn't watch it. Not even if you pay me to. TRADE! Fallon for Joel McHale (from The Soup) and THEN! and ONLY! THEN! I'll watch "Late Night". Ain't the same w/o Conan.
i didnt watch…..im surprised anyone did. I know very FEW people who even like this guy….i think hes stupid
I was watching Craig Ferguson.
…it was probably the false hope of seeing that annoying cooking gal being set on fire. Burn baby burn. Disco Inferno…
I did watch it was pretty good, could tell JF was nervous and he'll get over that. great line up all week
He was really nervous. Gotta give him some time to find his footing. Thank God for Timberlake. He was the funniest part of the show and JImmy relaxed around him.
you all are dumbasses. it was he first show he was nervous. you all would be too. get off his back. so just shut up!!!!
he definitely looked nervous but i thought he was still really cute and funny. i think he'll be great in a few episodes. i already got a season pass.
I love Jimmy, and I hate to say it, but I think he bombed. He was so awkward with his delivery, his monologue was boring. He talked so fast and mumbled at times. His interview with Robert DeNiro was hard to watch. Then when Timberlake came on it was like he took over the show from Jimmy. I will give him some time to get it together though, before I decide to abandon the show.
it was his first show, give the guy a break. i laughed during the show. i didn't find him as funny as conan, but conan has had 16 years to perfect his act. it was jimmy's first day. the fact that deniro was completely unresponsive didn't help either. the whole justin timberlake bit was hysterical
Of course he was nervous. He is a cokehead.
he made me so nervous i had to change the channel
He was surely nervous but I'm sure he will pick up. He's Fallon… he is an entertainer… i'm sure that was just the ice breaker.
"Will viewers tunes in, the critics weren't so kind!"
Once again -you have a very very simple job. Write trash on everyone you don't like. Why can't you at least LOOK OVER what you write before you post? You prove how much of a true moron you are about every 3 posts, with stupid ass typos like this one.
It was HORRIBLE! Skits weren't funny, DeNiro barely spoke, monologue sucked, nothing new. The only refreshing thing about it was The Roots are the house band.
he was sooo nervous but i think it will get better he was just getting the kinks worked out!! it was ok! i will watch again and then judge it!
As Perez would say … it was SHITEOUS!
Didn't watch, so did he laugh at all his own jokes? Jimmy Fallon sucks.
People: Is his first late night show, OBVIOUSLY will be a challenge for him, he's a great comedian and I agree with "The Warden" if Carson Daly made it, Jimmy will definitely make it big…Just give it time, we are so used to pioneers like Jay Leno, Conan and the other ones, so It will be tough in the beginning. my best wishes to Jimmy!
Fallon needs an anchor, he used to be a lot of fun next to Tina Fey during the weekend updates in SNL… I am pretty sure that formula will work wonders… he is amazing when he is next to someone… Wouldn't be awesome if he pairs up with Tina once more? That's something I will def. watch!
really, who would've thought jimmy fallon sucks
i watched and it sucked.i like Jimmy so i hope he gets better at hosting.Justin Timberlake came off as such a Douche,theres nothing worse than a guy who thinks he's funny and just isn't..Now Justin is trying to be the next Ashton Kutcher with his own hidden camera show on mtv "thats original" another shitty unfunny hidden camera show with the comedy stylings of Justin Timberdouche EPIC FAIL..
LOVE HIM LOVE HIM LOVE HIM.
it's just going to keep getting better as he & his writers figure out what works!
robert deniro seemed utterly bored and annoyed by him… almost as bad as the letterman/joaquin phoenix episode
Give Jimmy a chance. He's funny and he'll find his way.
until last night i have hated everything jimmy fallon ever did, but that show was sick. "the roots" is really just questlove and some new guys, still amazing. then there was deniro, a relaxed justin timberlake and VAN MORRISON. Fallon handled all of it well. But i hate admitting it.
Re: Dr Dave – Couldn't agree with you more … Fallon needs a sidekick and someone that's actually funny on the show !
i completely agree with "the warden" and his first sentence. yeah, i watched the first 10 minutes or so. in that first 10 minutes, we were introduced to a unfunny monologue, then a game entitled, "lick it for 10." the game invited members of the audience to lick objects for $10. not funny. i wasn't very happy that nbc decided to replace a comedic genius, like conan, with a no-talent schmuck like jimmy. he always used to break character when he was on snl and that really bothered me! i wonder if nbc has a back-up plan?
jimmy fallon got famous on SNL by acting like adam sandler, laughing at his own jokes and riding off of tina fey's coattails on weekend update.
does he actually think he can follow conan o'brien?!!! jimmy fallon is a spaz. i cannot wait until june when conan relieves jay leno of the tonight show … hopefully jay takes his lousy writers with him to his new show.
He will settle into the role regarding the nervousness. But if he's not funny or has charisma, he's doomed.
THE MOST AWFUL THING EVER. STAYED UP LATE TO WATCH - IT WAS LIKE WATCHING AN EIGHT GRADER PLAY I WANT TO BE A TALK SHOW HOST. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT, AND THEN KEEPING A GREAT ACTOR THERE ON THE DIAS WHILE EVERY ONE ELSE CAME OUT WAS PAINFUL. I WISHED HIM LUCK BUT I WILL NEVER TUNE IN AGAIN
it was like watching a car accident, forreal. i couldnt look away. and robert de niro was a big no no, he said 2 words his entire interview!
so-so but I went back to Craig after about two minutes.
give the kid a break it was the first show and you could tell he was suuuuper nervous. I think we should all re-evaluate in a few weeks once he's in the groove a bit.
Give him a break!
While the Chicago Tribune said Fallon was "Sweaty, tense, uptight, nervous, wound-up, keyed up — pick an adjective."
That's exactly the same way he was on the MTV Video Music awards…until Gun's and Roses came out, at that point he just looked real fucking high!!
I LOVED IT! I've always been a fan of Jimmy Fallon and I thought for his very first show he did a great job! And of course Justin was amazing like always!
Meh… watched the first 20 minutes & got bored..
THIS IS GUY IS SOOOOO UNFUNNY, CHARMLESS, OVERRRATED AND UNTALENTED….HIS SHOW WILL NOT SURVIVE ANY OF THE FALSE HYPE !!
God, lots of haters on here…I like Jimmy, and he was funny last night, just nervous as hell. I laughed more at his stuff than Conan's retarded schtick (Hello…"Larry King"…L-A-M-E! It's like he couldn't come up with anything funny so his brain spasmed) and I hope he just gets better over time.
Ok, I watched cuz I love him, but he's monologue it was pianful to hear and watch so I changed to Ferguson (he cracks me up!!!!) but I wish that is just cuz he was nervous and that it'll get better. Although I have to say I thought it was a surprising choice to replace Conan
Oh and the lick for $10 was SO stupid!
Liked it.
Re: BRONX – ÓMG!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT IDEAAAAAAAAAAAA He should TOTALLY Get a late night show!!!!! yes! JOEL every night!
Mr. Fallon did look nervous and it really just aweful to see.
Hi. Jimmy Falon was sweaty, but not in a "good" way. He was better on the second show, but I can't stand Tina Fey. I'll give him a chance for a week but after that, too bad. You're on your own, mister!!