While Jay Leno said goodbye to NBC and the Tonight Show Thursday night, for Jimmy Fallon it was “see you later” as he broadcast his last Late Night. He’ll be back as the new host of Tonight, beginning on Monday February 17.
Helping him move on to his next gig (he’s taking everybody with him, including The Roots!) were Adam Samberg, and, adorably, the Muppets!
The final telecast set record for The Late Show, according to NBC:
Jimmy Fallon’s final telecast hosting “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” has set series records for biggest overall audience on any night of the week and highest adult 18-49 rating for a regularly scheduled episode. In fact, it was the biggest total-viewer result for the “Late Night” franchise since 1993 and highest 18-49 rating for a regularly scheduled telecast since 2004.
With a 12:05-1:05 a.m. ET telecast that followed NBC’s coverage of the Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony, Fallon averaged a 2.2 rating in adults 18-49 and 6.601 million viewers overall, according to fast-official “live plus same day” ratings from Nielsen Media Research,
It’s the biggest overall audience ever for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” eclipsing the prior record set with a special 11:56 p.m. ET telecast on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 (6.087 million viewers).
It’s the biggest viewership for the “Late Night” franchise since June 25, 1993 (the final David Letterman-hosted episode, 7.521 million).
Don’t underestimate Jimmmy. I think he’ll keep Leno’s ratings and maybe exceed them. The younger demo has been lost to cable shows like The Daily Show/Colbert Report/Adult Swim. But Jimmy’s unabashed optimism and sweet sense of humor will appeal to a broad audience, without dumbing it down.
Watch videos of last night’s show right here:
Jimmy and the Muppets sing – The Weight
What an odd and wonderful way to say goodbye! I loved the last shot.
Jimmmy’s last monologue
Lot’s of thank yous.
The very last Late Night thank you notes!
Celebrities Offer Tonight Show Advice
Pretty much the same celebs that taped bits for Leno. Miley says “less clothes.” Blake Shelton says, “I don’t have any advice for Jimmy. I don’t know what the f*ck he does!”
Jimmy and announcer Steve Higgins Reminisce
Andy Samberg Gets Intense
