http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjTKhRamYHc

When: Weeknights, 10:35 p.m.
Channel: NBC

With a new studio reminiscent of an old, classic studio and a Spike Lee opening sequence, Jimmy Fallon proved on Monday why he deserves to be the newest host of “The Tonight Show”: he loves it, and the country loves him.

In his first opening monologue on Monday, Fallon spoke about the enormity of this hosting gig. He thanked the past hosts—“Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno”—and introduced himself to anyone who may be tuning in to watch him for the first time. He got a little choked up mentioning his daughter, Winnie, thanked his parents who were in the audience and joked about graduating from high school. He also introduced his house band, The Roots, who may be the best house band on television and who have been with him from the beginning, as well as his dear friend, “announcer and sidekick” Steve Higgins. With an earnest “I just want to do the best I can and take care of the show for a while,” Fallon even explained to the audience the premise of the opening monologue before running back behind the blue curtain and starting the show for real.

The show that ensued felt like classic Fallon. In an Olympics-themed monologue, he gave out “Tonight Show Superlatives,” assigning superlatives to Olympic athletes. There was even a “Evolution of Hip-Hop Dancing” bit with Will Smith, which starred Smith and Fallon in matching overalls doing everything from the Carlton to twerking. Fallon’s commitment to fun was evident throughout the entire night, which is one of the reasons why we love him so much. He isn’t afraid to look silly, which is something many people are afraid of these days. He’ll get up and twerk all in the name of fun because, as he said, his goal as host of “The Tonight Show” is to “make you laugh and put a smile on your face so you go to sleep with a smile on your face and live a longer life.”

Perhaps even more evident than his commitment to silliness in this premiere, however, was New York City’s—and the country’s—commitment to him. When he sat down at his new desk and joked about his buddy who bet he’d never be the host of “The Tonight Show,” a parade of celebrities and prominent figures emerged from behind that blue curtain to pay him the $100 they owed. From Robert De Niro, who was Fallon’s very first guest on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” to Tina Fey, his longtime friend and “Weekend Update” co-anchor, the list went on, including Lady Gaga, Lindsay Lohan, former New York City Mayor Rudolph “Rudy” Giuliani, Mariah Carey and finally Stephen Colbert, who paid him in pennies, demanded a selfie and welcomed him to “11:30, b—-!”

Reminiscent of Jay Leno’s final week as the host, when celebrities marched in and out of the studio to pay their respects and give their well-wishes, this show started out expressing the love and support that everyone has for Fallon. As his first guest on “The Tonight Show,” Smith said, “People are coming for your heart.” People may tune in to “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” for the tradition, the rooftop U2 performances (or the acoustic U2 performances) or the celebrity guests, but people will stay for Jimmy Fallon, the loveable kid from Saugerties, N.Y., who just wants to put you to sleep with a smile on your face.