Fallon begins 'Late Show' stint

NEW YORK, March 3 (UPI) -- Robert De Niro, Justin Timberlake, Van Morrison and Conan O'Brien appeared on the inaugural episode of "Late Show with Jimmy Fallon" early Tuesday.

"A smart man would leave now," Fallon quipped as he began his first show as host, inheriting the 12:35 a.m. ET time slot formerly inhabited by his NBC colleague Conan O'Brien.

O'Brien is to take over the network's "The Tonight Show," starting in June, while current "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno is slated to get his own new NBC prime time talk show next fall.

E! News said Fallon Twittered after his "Late Show" premiere: "1st show done. I was a bit nervous. But overall really happy. Phew!"

Fallon is best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live" and in the film "Fever Pitch."