Were Fans More Curious About Jay Leno Experiment...or Kanye?

Looks like answer's yes as comic's new prime-time show scores nearly 18 million viewers on premiere night graced by Rihanna, Jay-Z, Kayne West, more

By Joal Ryan Sep 15, 2009 4:02 PMTags

Rihanna. Jay-Z. Oprah Winfrey. Jerry Seinfeld. Kanye West. Kanye West's latest apology.

Yes, Jay Leno's prime-time premiere was packed. With viewers.

Nearly 18 million tuned in Monday night, estimates showed. And while the great talk-show experiment was slammed by critics for not being experimental enough, it brought NBC a far bigger audience than any scripted show did at 10 p.m. last season.

Tonight, Leno will seek to stave off the sophomore slump with scheduled guests Cameron Diaz, Michael Moore and some guy named Tom Cruise.

Well, not every night can be star-studded…