NBC today confirmed that Jimmy Fallon will succeed Jay Leno as host of "The Tonight Show" in the spring of 2014.
NBC's big hope is that the much younger Fallon will attract more younger viewers to the "Tonight Show." This move follows ABC's move of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" from after midnight to 11:30 p.m. Fallon, per the Nielsen numbers, is starting to attract a younger audience.
Do you remember that this is not the first time NBC has announced a plan to replace Leno. In 2009, NBC put Conan O'Brien in as host of "The Tonight Show" only to see ratings decline. Leno quickly was reinstated as host of the franchise. The end result, however, was a pr disaster for NBC. Critics and other late night comedians had a field day ripping Leno.
“We are purposefully making this change when Jay is No. 1, just as Jay replaced Johnny Carson when he was No. 1," said NBC Universal Chief Executive Steve Burke. "Jimmy Fallon is a unique talent and this is his time."
In a statement Leno congratulated Fallon and said, "I hope you're as lucky as me and hold on to the job until you're the old guy. If you need me, I'll be at the garage.”
Good news for New York City. This move will also bring the "Tonight Show" back home to New York where it started as a creation of Pat Weaver (Sigourney's dad). Weaver, as head of NBC programming in the early 50's, also is credited with the creation of "The Today Show."
Lorne Michaels (of SNL fame), the executive producer of Fallon's current show, "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," will executive-produce "The Tonight Show."
Seth Meyers of "Saturday Night Live," which is also produced by Michaels, may be the leading candidate to replace Fallon's current show.
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