Jimmy Fallon will be in O'Brien's chair
Inks deal with NBC for 'Late Night'
By Nellie Andreeva and Kimberly Nordyke
The Hollywood Reporter
April 24, 2008
                                  
After months of speculation, Jimmy Fallon has sealed a deal to succeed "Late Night" host Conan O'Brien on NBC in 2009, sources said.

O'Brien, whose show airs at 12:35 a.m., is moving into the 11:35 p.m. slot next year after "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno's retirement, which was announced in 2004.

NBC is expected to make the announcement May 12 during its upfront event in New York.

The deal gives Fallon and "Late Night" executive producer Lorne Michaels enough time to assemble a team and prepare for Fallon's takeover after O'Brien's departure, expected in January.

It is not clear whether "Late Night" with Fallon will stay at Studio 6A at New York's 30 Rock, but it is probable as O'Brien will be moving to the new "Tonight Show" home at Universal Studios' Stage One.

NBC declined comment Thursday.

Fallon's new gig as "Late Night" host stems from a development deal he inked with NBC in early 2007.

The move further cements NBC's late-night transition that also is making Leno a highly sought-after free agent, with ABC and Fox reportedly already circling the top-rated late-night host. Meanwhile, NBC Universal is trying to keep him in the company fold with a new show.

For the second time, "Saturday Night Live" chief Michaels -- whose company Broadway Video co-produces "Late Night" with Universal Media Studios -- has gone with an "SNL" alum to front the late-night talker. In 1993, Michaels tapped former "SNL" writer O'Brien as the inaugural host.

Fallon has more onscreen experience, having co-starred on "SNL" and co-hosted its "Weekend Update" segment. He also toplined several features, including the comedies "Fever Pitch" and "Taxi."

Additionally, Fallon, repped by CAA and Management 360, served as a guest host for CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" in 2003.

Quoted from mikedup

Fallon's new gig as "Late Night" host stems from a development deal he inked with NBC in early 2007.

The move further cements NBC's late-night transition that also is making Leno a highly sought-after free agent, with ABC and Fox reportedly already circling the top-rated late-night host. Meanwhile, NBC Universal is trying to keep him in the company fold with a new show.

I smell a "the late shift" sequel haha..
conan and jimmy will be a refresshing 1, 2 punch IMHO

I'm slightly surprised Carson Daly didn't get the gig.  Only slightly because I think he's lame, but I had assumed he was being groomed to move up a time slot

If I'm Jimmy Kimmel, I'm letting the world know I'm open to reading some scripts these days.  

If I'm the producers of Nightline, I wouldn't be inking any of my producers to long term contracts.

Leno on ABC seems like a really good fit given the family-centric nature of the network lately, and Leno's safe brand of late night comedy.

It was awkward to watch Jay interview Conan earlier this month.  To say the exchange was frosty is generous at best.  "You mean to say it's 2009 already," said Leno during his introduction of the night's guests...  

I wonder if Leno would go the syndicated route, or even with FOX.

I'm still trying to figure out how Fallon can screw up Late Night by forgetting his lines and laughing at inappropriate times, directly into the camera... :s

Couldn't agree more Papa...I can't stand Jimmy Fallon...single handedly ruined Weekend Update.

I think this is going to crash and burn.

Are you saying fellow Canadian Lorne Michaels is a poor judge of talent?

I've never been able to figure why Conan is still working .. but I bet it's because I ain't in the teenage demographic.

I remember Jimmy Fallon being SUPER nervous and sketchy when he filled in for Letterman, but then Conan was pretty shakey for the first 3 years of doing Late Night!  It'll for sure be interesting to see what happens... As much as i love Conan, will he really be able to sway me over from Letterman, who is , let's be honest, the real reigning King of late night!  

I'm a big Conan fan, and don't get me wrong...I don't think Fallon is terrible.  JF drove me crazy during SNL sketches when he would NEVER keep from laughing during skits.  I understand that Will Ferrell is hilarious, and can't imagine how hard it would be keep it straight during a skit with him, but you are a PROFESSIONAL...and it's your job to play the skit straight.  Yet, again and again, Fallon would start giggling like a school girl while looking directly into the camera.  It was ridiculous, and because of that, I have a beef with him.  What he can do with this type of forum should be interesting though...

Poppa - they should have canned his arse for that crap.  Every freaking skit.  

Everybody LOVES the Blue Oyster Cult skit, and yes...Ferrell and Chris Walken were brilliant, but to me...Fallon did everything in his power to ruin it.  Atrocious.  As a side note, anyone ever caught the Family Guy ep where they rip Fallon apart for this??  Brilliant writing...