Leno's First Night

Jay Leno's new prime-time show opened with quite a splash Monday night.

Close to 18-million viewers tuned in to see the former "Tonight Show" host in his new venue.

Critics say there was something very familiar about what was supposed to be a new format.

"It's pretty much the same show," noted Entertainment Weekly's Dalton Ross. "Same guy, same brand of comedy, a lot of the same skits."

There's no debate over the pivotal moment in the new show: Kanye West talking for the first time about since taking the mic from Taylor Swift during the MTV Video Music Awards.

The apology was expected, what happened next was not.

Jay's question over what West's late mother would have thought of his actions was met with somber silence.

"They kept it very earnest and serious," said TV Guide's Stephen Battaglio. "I think Jay was just trying to take advantage of the attention that surrounded the incident and it paid off."

Will that pay off be enough to push the new show to long term ratings success?

The all-star line-up of guests continues Tuesday night with filmmaker Michael Moore and actor Tom Cruise.