Joan Rivers Talks Late Night: "Jimmy Fallon Reminds Me of Johnny Carson!"

Exclusive! The E! Star, who just celebrated her 80th birthday, tells E! News that a good late night host makes sure there are "surprises"

Joan Rivers knows a thing or two about what makes someone a great host of The Tonight Show.

The E! star was mentored by six-time Emmy award winning host Johnny Carson, who hired her as writer on The Tonight Show, and served as his guest host in the early '80s. So yes, Rivers knows what it takes to be a great late night host!

So what does the outspoken Fashion Police star, who is celebrating her 80th birthday, think of Jimmy Fallon taking over for Jay Leno in 2014?

"I think Jimmy Fallon—and I said it was from the first time I went on his show—he has got everything that Carson has," Rivers exclusively tells E! News. "He is bright, he is smart, and he is...he is a fan. He is happy to have people on. He is excited to meet them. Carson, to the day he died, he was beside himself with happiness...Fallon is like, 'Oh look who I have on the show! It's Gwyneth Paltrow and she is ugly!'"

And what element does Rivers feel is vital for the success of a late night host? "There are surprises and to me that is what makes a good show."