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I mean, I'm sure the guy is perfectly nice and all, but I never really dug him on "The Tonight Show." His humor was just a little too broad for my taste.

So I couldn't help but be happy about the recent ascension of Conan O'Brien to the new host position. The only question for me was, how much of a step in the right direction would it be?

There's no question Conan had a somewhat off night on his first show. His Universal Studios tour wasn't very imaginative and neither was making one of the very first jokes of his "Tonight Show" reign about perennial punch line the Clippers.

Worst of all was his chemistry with former sidekick and now returning as announcer Andy Richter. Richter and Conan used to have a fantastic report, but the two hadn't worked together in years and Andy seemed unsure as to how much he should involve himself in the proceedings. So, after the first night, I was a bit worried.

But things were already improving by the second show. Yes, Conan is still relying far too much on his "Hey, I'm new to LA shtick!" The interviews with his very first two guests, Will Ferrell and Tom Hanks, centered largely on what to do in the City of Angels. And yes, the interplay between Conan and Richter is still somewhat stilted and awkward, but the host seems more comfortable already, as if he got all the premiere jitters out of his system.

His shopping spree down Rodeo Road and mockery of Twitter were both worthy of a few good chuckles and his overall timing was back to the Conan of old.

When it comes to late night, I'll still take Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert, but Conan has already improved "The Tonight Show" over the occupant of the previous 17 years. And assuming he can continue to work out the kinks, he should only get better.