Jimmy Fallon settles 'Tonight Show' deal, while Seth Meyers eyes 'Late Night'
Credit: NBC
Though an official announcement has yet to be made, Jimmy Fallon's confirmation as heir apparent to 'The Tonight Show' is imminent. The 'Late Night' host has reportedly closed a deal with NBC that will see him replace Jay Leno when the incumbent host's contract expires in September 2014. Fallon's 'Tonight Show', like his 'Late Night', would be based out of New York, which is a pretty stark departure from Leno's 'Tonight Show', which is based in Burbank, California.
Though NBC has long been preparing an exit plan for Leno, 62, the network has refused to comment on the situation, instead leaving it to Leno and Fallon, 38, to joke about the transition.
The duo sang an on-air duet on April 1, poking fun at NBC’s notorious uncertainty when it comes to its late-night programming. The ribbing is in reference to the controversial 2009 transition from Leno to Conan O'Brien, a deal that ultimately ended in ratings disaster for NBC when the network decided to undercut O'Brien's 'Tonight Show' by programming an hour of Leno at 10:00 PM every weeknight.
It's not known when, exactly, Fallon would take over 'The Tonight Show', as it's being reported that the transition might be made before Leno's contract with the network expires. The Hollywood Reporter's source says some NBC execs are keen on launching Fallon’s 'Tonight Show' this coming February, to capitalize on the network's regularly high-rated Winter Olympics coverage. However, producer Lorne Michaels is said to be intent on giving Fallon more time. The network also has an added incentive to hold off, as NBC would incur a pretty steep penalty if they were to take Leno off the air before his contract expires.
Credit: NBC
Once a new host for 'Late Night' is found, it's expected that NBC will make the Leno-to-Fallon change official, as it's said that one of the primary reasons NBC is holding off on any official announcements is the lack of a confirmed replacement for Fallon. Right now, the current frontrunner to take over for Fallon at the 12:35 AM time slot is, reportedly, Saturday Night Live's current Weekend Update host Seth Meyers. Meyers, like Fallon and his predecessor, Conan O’Brien, is a protege of Lorne Michaels. According to a source for The Hollywood Reporter, "It will be Seth unless something goes awry [in the dealmaking]".
Until an official announcement is made, expect Leno and Fallon to keep making good-natured jabs at the situation. Hell, expect them to do it even after the announcement: 'The Tonight Show' has been up in the ratings since the NBC-ribbing began.
