Those who have been expecting Jimmy Fallon to flame-out in the new late night wars might want to pull up a chair, either because it could either be a long wait, or it’s time to join the majority party and watch the new “Tonight Show.”
The passing of the torch from Jay Leno to Fallon has not only kept “The Tonight Show” in first place, it has strongly extended its lead over the broadcast competition. Of course, the big gains at 11:35 p.m. on NBC this season are partially skewed from the inclusion of Leno’s strong farewell episodes and Fallon’s historic February debut shows.