“It’s good to be home,” Leno told his audience last night. “I’m Jay Leno, your host. At least for a while.”
Preliminary Nielsen Co. numbers show Leno’s return scoring a 5.4 rating and a 14 percent share of the viewing audience. In comparison, ABC’s “Nightline” received a 3.4 rating and 8 percent audience share.
But it’s the Leno vs. Letterman ratings battle that matters, and last night didn’t give CBS’ “The Late Show” the best numbers in the world, pulling a 3.0 rating and 8 share.
Of course, everyone wanted to see what Leno would do on his first night back. The trick, of course, is to keep those ratings while building an even larger audience. Only time will tell if Leno still has the ol’ magic.
Tuesday, March 2
Sarah Colonna, Jo Koy– “Chelsea Lately”
Adam Lambert – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Ludacris – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Mumiy Troll – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Phoenix – “Last Call with Carson Daly”
Wednesday, March 3
Matt Bruanger, Heather McDonald and Moshe Kasher – “Chelsea Lately”
Avril Lavigne, Chelsea Handler – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Erykah Badu – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Jet – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Thursday, March 4
Jason Derulo – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Christina Pazsitzky, Guy Branum – “Chelsea Lately”
Lifehouse – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Spoon – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Silversun Pickups – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Galactic, Allen Toussaint – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Friday, March 5
Lenny Kravitz – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
John Caparulo, Arden Myrin – “Chelsea Lately”
Robin Thicke – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Corinne Bailey Rae – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Joanna Newsom – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Regina Spektor – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”