Jimmy Fallon To Debut On NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show’ On Feb. 17 With Will Smith And U2 As Guests

Jimmy Fallon’s “The Tonight Show,” which debuts on Feb. 17, will have actor Will Smith and Irish rock band, U2, as guests. Fallon who will be taking over the NBC show from Jay Leno, will appear on Leno’s last appearance as the host of “The Tonight Show” on Feb. 6.

Fallon was present at the Television Critics Association winter press tour panel on Jan. 19 in Pasadena, Calif., where he said that he didn’t require changing his approach toward comedy to appeal to audiences that like Leno. He also said that his "Tonight" show "should be goofy and fun and make everybody laugh. That's our job."

According to reports, Fallon spoke about his show “Late Night,” which he hosted for five years, saying: “This show has completely changed from when I first started.” He added: “I feel like we’ve blossomed into what will become the new ‘Tonight’ show.”

Fallon, who has reportedly said that he has taken some of Leno's advice, most prominently to make his nightly monologues longer, will debut on the show at midnight, following NBC’s coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said that he would want Leno to be with NBC to host special shows.

Fallon, who has moved the show to New York, said: “It would take the show back to its roots, where it all began.” But, he also added that he was planning to bring “The Tonight Show” to Los Angeles at least once a year.

The formal title of the show is also changing from "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."