Jimmy Fallon makes his debut as 'Late Night' host

NEW YORK (AP) — As Jimmy Fallon prepared to debut as host of NBC's "Late Night," he found his predecessor, Conan O'Brien, in his dressing room, still packing up.

"I'm about to start my first show," Fallon told him eagerly.

"Oh, is that tonight?" O'Brien replied. "I was gonna TiVo it, or something."

A new era began Monday in the time slot commonly known as "12:30" (more accurately, 12:37 a.m. EST) as Fallon arrived with a new-era version of "Late Night," flush with his wired-up personality, a classy, comfy set and a super-cool house band, the Roots.

After the O'Brien bit, Fallon stepped on stage with a brisk, if forgettable, monologue, followed by a cleverer "Slow Jam" presentation of the news (bluesy and romantic, as accompanied by the Roots). After that came a comic tribute to the show's designated target demographic: Blonde Mothers.

A possibly recurring game-show spoof, "Lick It For Ten," invited three "contestants" from the audience to lick something — a lawn mower, a photocopier and a bowl of goldfish — for a $10-dollar prize.

And all that was before the first guest, Robert De Niro, who was game to play off of his reputation as a difficult interview.

"I wrote some questions with one-word answers," said Fallon helpfully. Consulting his list, he asked De Niro, "How are you?"

"I'm OK."

"Are you happy to be here?"

"I don't know yet," De Niro replied.

Fallon did his De Niro impression and got De Niro to do a Jimmy Fallon impression. Then they appeared in a sketch together.

Justin Timberlake came on next and plugged a new reality series with a film clip that seemed like yet another spoof, but is actually for real.

Finishing up was Van Morrison, who performed a song amid a huge band of his own.

And that's how the hour went. Whew! No one could say the pace ever dragged or the energy lagged.