The premiere of "The Mo'Nique Show"

Last night, BET debuted its new late-night talk show 'The Mo'Nique Show" starring that brash, plus-size, one-named comedian. She's now the first black woman in TV history to have her own late night show. (It airs weeknights at 11.)

And boy was she grateful for the opportunity.

A slimmed down (but not skinny) Mo', wearing a black sleeveless dress with a pair of sequined lips landing on a booty cheek, was all gratefulness and celebration and excitement. She shimmied and boogied. She referred to the viewers and the audience as "sweet babies" and coaxed her guests with a churchy call and respond-like 'C'mon."

And all I could think was "Will you stop yelling at me?"

Trouble is, Mo' hosted the show the way she has hosted the BET Awards. That takes a little bit of off-the-cuff banter mixed with the scripted fare, some razzle-dazzle bits and enough presence to keep a crowd of industry folks engaged when they'd just assume get up and head to the bar. So Mo' is loud.

But a talk show is different. You've got to engage your audience in a different way. Interviewing, for instance. On her debut show, Mo'Nique's first guest was fellow comic Steve Harvey. They've known each other for years so you'd think we would hear some good stuff. They did share a bit about a show Harvey did when Mo' was just starting out; Mo believes he owes her some money.

But mostly they just sat there, grateful for their good fortune. He's got a hit book and a radio show; she's hosting on BET. Isn't God good?

The other guests were singer Monica, briefly plugging her new reality show on BET, and singer Jeremih.

The show has the typical late night set up; the sleek, modern Atlanta studio has a fake night sky scape. There's a live band and a DJ. Mo has a sidekick who's not that funny, but laughs hard. And she's got her big girl dancers, four chubby women who can get down as well as the "In Living Color" fly girls.

But Mo was all over the place and so was the show. Mo'Nique, like much of the world, is an Oprah fan, and so her show has to be inspirational. Each night she said it will end with a word of encouragement. Last night's advice: hug yourself.

Yes, hug yourself Mo. And then take a deep breath. And calm down. And focus.