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NBC Introduces Jimmy Fallon as Late Night Host
Jimmy Fallon by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com
Confirming the worst-kept secret in television, NBC today officially introduced comedian Jimmy Fallon as the network's newest late-night host.
The SNL alum will start as host of Late Night (Weeknights, 12:30 am/ET) when Conan O'Brien takes over the Tonight Show for Jay Leno in 2009.
Ironically, O'Brien's show was the first talk show Fallon appeared on after joining SNL in 1998.
Fallon, 33, told a news conference he has been destined to host a late-night talkfest since he was a kid. "In my kindergarten yearbook, they wrote 'Most Likely To Take Over For David Letterman,'" he said.
Exactly when Fallon will make his debut next year is still up in the air, and appears to be hinged on where Jay Leno lands after the Tonight Show. "Everyone wants Jay Leno to stay part of the NBC family," said SNL boss Lorne Michaels, who will also executive produce Fallon's show. "And that's a big part of what's going on now."
Fallon joked once he starts, he's in it for the long haul. "NBC gave me the same contract as Willard Scott — 150 years." — J.R. Whalen
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May 12, 2008 1:42 PM
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Jimmy Fallon isn't funny. But I liked when Peter Griffith pounded a Jimmy Falloon cartoon on Family Guy. Now that was funny. This reeks of the Chevy Chase Show. Jimmy Fallon is only as funny as the material placed in front of him. NBC just doesn't learn.
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May 12, 2008 2:27 PM
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Anyone know where the show is going to originate from?
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May 12, 2008 2:53 PM
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A good bet would be New York, seeing as Lorne Michaels I wouldn't think could constantly travel back and forth from LA to NY, for this show, and SNL.
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May 12, 2008 3:38 PM
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I'm sure the show will originate from NBC NY (30 Rock) in Conan's studio, just as Conan took over the studio that Letterman used when he did the show at NBC.
The main thing I can't stand about Jimmy Fallon is that he talks so fast and with such poor articulation that half the time I can't understand what he's saying.
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May 12, 2008 3:47 PM
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Why do people think Leno is going to continue to work? I thought he was giving up the reigns so he could retire? Why are they making an issue about where he goes next? He has enough money. Fallon. I reserve judgement of Jimmy till I see him in action. He has got to be better than Ferguson. But I will watch whenever there are good guests, just like any other late nighter. I am not that loyal to one.
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May 12, 2008 5:01 PM
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I think Jimmy Fallon is a great choice, and I think he is naturally funny. He's a quick wit that will be able to carry on conversations (as opposed to asking a list of questions). I can't wait until Jimmy takes over and Conan moves up like The Jeffersons ("Well, we're movin' out...to the West Coast!")
What I'm really looking forward to is getting Jay Leno out of The Tonight Show chair. I'm still bitter about how underhanded he was in stealing the job from Johnny's heir-apparent, David Letterman. No, I WON'T get over it! No. I WON'T! 
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May 12, 2008 5:10 PM
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Posted by Gerald:
He has got to be better than Ferguson.
I beg to differ. Craig Ferguson is the best monologist on late night TV since Johnny himself, and has been since his first year of taking over the Late Late Show. Neither Dave nor Conan were as good this early.
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May 12, 2008 5:11 PM
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I agree, anonymouse (great name, by the way). Craig brings a little of that Jack-Paar-unpredictability to his show that's missing from everyone else. I think he has carved out a nice individual niche for himself.
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May 12, 2008 5:38 PM
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Why do people think Leno is going to continue to work? I thought he was giving up the reigns so he could retire?
He doesn't want to retire. He actually agreed to step down to appease the network and help retain Conan with NBC. I think that he is now regretting that decision. It's fairly evident that he wants to stay if you have hear any of his recent monologs. He'll turn up somewhere else. Love him or hate him, he is actually one of the hardest working comics around, doing numerous stand-up gigs during his off hours, and rarely takes days off.
(personally, I don't really care for him-but the Tonight Show still gets the best guests, IMO-and I love Conan afterwards)
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May 12, 2008 6:07 PM
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Jimmy Fallon isn't funny. But I liked when Peter Griffith pounded a Jimmy Falloon cartoon on Family Guy. Now that was funny. This reeks of the Chevy Chase Show. Jimmy Fallon is only as funny as the material placed in front of him. NBC just doesn't learn
I am huge Family Guy fanboy and love Peter Griffin(sorry you don't get to laugh at the joke if you don't know that name), but that doesn't mean Fallon himself is unfunny. If Family Guy mocking an actor or comedian was a barometer for how funny they are then there would literally be no funny people on the planet outside the Family Guy writer's room.
Do a search for "Barry Gibb Talk Show," and tell me that is not funny. Fallon thrives in a "sketch comedy," environment and that's what Conan has basically been doing with his talk show for the last decade. Silly characters, stupid costumes and funny faces.
Fallon is a natural for the role, no brainer decision.
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May 12, 2008 9:10 PM
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Funny guy but odd choice.
Didn't he fill in for Letterman when he was out sick? Wasn't he nervous and self-conscious?
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May 13, 2008 1:12 PM
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Personally, I'm not at all happy that Leno is leaving, and he didn't want to retire, he did it for NBC. That network, in their haste to hang onto Conan a few years ago when he was being wooed by the other networks, got the bright idea that they'd give Conan a carrot and promised him the Tonight Show deal in a few years. Sorry, but I don't find Conan funny at all, and once Leno's gone from the Tonight show, so am I.
As for Fallon, he was alright on SNL, I guess, and he may be okay in Conan's job, but considering the fact that I don't think too much of O'Brien, it doesn't take too much to replace him, either.
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May 13, 2008 2:33 PM
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What a completely boneheaded idea.
It's bad enough that Leno will be replaced by the eccentric and not-to-everyone's-taste O'Brien, but Jimmy Fallon is barely intelligible or sensible when he speaks. He comes across as being not-too-bright and decidedly unfunny.
I'm probably going to forego late night altogether, once Jay goes or, if he jumps networks, I'll go where he does. He's light, funny, sarcastic, but not weird like Conan and not insipid like Fallon.
NBC messes up again.
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May 13, 2008 4:03 PM
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don't really care about jimmy fallon, but i can't stand conan o'brien, and don't anticipate watching him an hour earlier. 
i know jay will enjoy his retirement.
carol in seattle
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May 15, 2008 6:41 PM
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