by Shannonn Kelly
01:28AM, EST, November 10, 2009

George Lopez makes television history tonight as the first Latino to host a mainstream talk show when his new entry, Lopez Tonight hits the airwaves on TBS this evening at 11PM EST/PT.

In July, George Lopez said about his new talk show, “The simple plan of the show is to create an energy that isn’t anywhere on TV. Apparently in some parts of the country I’ll be up against telenovelas — I can’t win that battle.”

If tonight was any indication, Lopez will succeed with his no cards, no desk and no scripted monologue formula. Until Lopez, the brave and very funny Craig Ferguson has be the only successful late night host to draw a steadily growing audience with his quirky style, stuffed animals and non-scripted ’storyteller’ style.

With a ‘Kids’ Choice Awards” style stage set-up, tonight’s guests included Eva Longoria-Parker, Kobe Bryant, Ellen DeGeneres and Carlos Santana who met George from different areas of the stage, sometimes walking through the audience.

You did feel like you were at somebody’s house party that was just going to get better as it progressed. And, I learned something. Longoria-Parker, who already has a BSc from Texas A & M University is getting her Masters to be better prepared and informed to enhance her involvement with the National Council of La Raza and her charity work.

To bring back the party atmosphere though, she and George slithered around a stripper pole.

Says, Lopez, “If change can come to the White House, then change can come to late night. The main thing I want to do with this show is to attract a diverse audience who will come and have a party every night.”

Lopez will chat with actors, athletes, politicians, writers all who will interact with the crowd.

Adding to the party is Shakira’s band as his house band who play everything from rock to salsa. Lopez says what will make his talk effort stand out is the presentation. The show, to be based in Los Angeles, will have an outdoor street-party atmosphere. Lopez describes the set as “bringing the outdoors indoors.”

George Lopez best monologue jokes from tonight:

“Rapper 50 Cent has a new fragrance called “Power”. I hear it smells like illegitimate children and gunpowder…”

“When I was little I told my grandmother, the next time you hit me I’m calling the police. She said, “Make sure they connect you to the Homicide Division.”

The new show gives Lopez, who has never been afraid to express his political views, a nationwide forum. Numbers were off the chart for the Lopez live HBO special, “Tall, Dark and Chicano“, where he tackled every subject from politics, sex, immigration, cultural differences and spoiled rich kids. He proved to San Antonio and TV audiences that he’s indeed, “America’s Mexican“.

Even before the news of Lopez’s new talk show, Time magazine selected him as one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America. That became apparent in 2005 after Lopez received a kidney transplant. He and his wife, Ann, began raising millions for the National Kidney Foundation.

Executive-produced by talk show veterans Jim Paratore and Mike Gibbons, who hold credits on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Bonnie Hunt Show” and “The Late Late Show” between them, “Lopez Tonight” airs on cable channel TBS at 11PM, ET/PT Mondays through Thursdays.