George Pimentel/WireImage.comJimmy Fallon's first spin as Late Night host scored the franchise's biggest overnight Monday ratings in three years, NBC said today.
Total viewer numbers weren't yet available for a high-stakes night that boasted bigger-name guests on almost every show (i.e., U2, Robert De Niro, Mickey Rourke, Bachelor Jason Mesnick, Paris Hilton).
But based on stats from the nation's top TV markets, Fallon led Craig Ferguson's Late Show by 35 percent, and, in head-to-head competition from about 12:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., led Jimmy Kimmel Live by 17 percent.
About the only person Fallon didn't beat was Conan O'Brien: His debut was perhaps about 13 percent smaller than his predecessor's top-rated farewell on Feb. 20.
Reviews were generally kind, if not downright understanding. Gawker said Fallon was "awkward," but showed promise. Time's TV blog gave a shout-out to the new house band, the Roots ("excellent choice"). Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily called Fallon "a deer caught in the headlights," but decided he got off to a "far better start than Conan O'Brien."