Leno returns with strong ratings

Looks like the same-old same-old still sells in late night. Jay Leno's return to NBC's "The Tonight Show" was a ratings hit last night, leading the time period over both CBS's "The Late Show With David Letterman" and ABC's "Nightline" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live." According to preliminary Nielsen ratings, Leno got a 5.4 rating and a 14 percent share of the viewing audience compared with a 3.4 rating and 8 share for "Nightline," and a 3.0 rating and 8 share for Letterman.

Translation: Jay done good -- although, as we learned with Conan O'Brien, who did even better during his first "Tonight Show" episodes, the real test will be whether Jay can hold onto these numbers.

I watched last night's episode and, honestly, I was amazed at how mediocre it was. I guess I expected him to bring on better-than-usual material for his much anticipated return. For his new "Tonight Show," he has maintained the audience handshakes, a segment that remains self-conscious and self-aggrandizing. His monologue jokes were tired (see Gawker's proof the jokes have already been done) and half-baked, not least of all when Jay renamed Cheerios “Cheney-Os” and noted that Tiger Woods practiced “bootyism” instead of Buddhism. That's the kind of material you might hear from your annoying cousin who fancies himself a comic. And guest Jamie Foxx tried too hard -- and failied -- to create a Jay-fest, urging the audience to chant "welcome back."

A few readers have already jumped on me for my tough judgments of Jay in recent months. But I've got to share my honest opinion. Now you. What's your opinion? Here's the episode: