Rodrigues blasts off in New York

MTV babe Lyndsey Rodrigues blasts off in New York AFTER spending two weeks sampling life in the Big Apple, Sydney starlet Lyndsey Rodrigues has just taken a serious career chomp out of it - while 93 million people watched on. Glammed up and ready to rock, Rodrigues kicked off her new job as the host of MTV's flagship program Total Request Live program, filmed live daily from New York's entertainment mecca Times Square. Gallery Galleries: She's hot | First day | Her replacement » Far from biting off more than she can chew, the 26-year-old North Shore stunner summarised her first day with an appropriately American catch-cry - simply saying: "I had a blast!" After interviewing hip-hop mogul Wyclef Jean and rock act Simple Plan on Monday, Rodrigues will turn the volume up a notch when she comes face to face with Hollywood superstar Will Smith live on the program today. Smith's latest film, the apocalyptic blockbuster I Am Legend, hits US cinemas on Friday, and the big screen hero hasn't missed the opportunity to promote it on one of America's most popular cable TV shows. Not that Rodrigues is phased, to say the least. As the vivacious presenter told Confidential, the biggest problem she's facing right now is trying to get rid of her goofy grin. "I had such a blast today - I felt right at home with the TRL gang and could not wipe the smile from my face all day,'' Rodrigues said. "It was a different experience to Oz in regards to the calibre of artists and the insanely excited crowd, but totally the same in regards to the crew being awesome.'' "We had Wyclef Jean and Simple Plan on the show and tomorrow I am interviewing Will Smith. "I just can't wait - it's so much fun!'' Rodrigues was recruited from MTV Sydney to replace American MTV host Vanessa Minnillo, who now dates Jessica Simpson's ex, Nick Lachey. There won't be any celebrity romances for the Aussie talent - her boyfriend Chris Durlacher plans to join her in New York early next year.