It’s official: Jimmy Fallon to replace Jay Leno on ‘The Tonight Show’
What had been widely rumored is now official, The Tonight Show host Jay Leno will be replaced by Conan O’Brien current Late Night host Jimmy Fallon.
Leno said:
“Congratulations Jimmy. 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.”
Leno will wrap up his 22-year run as the host of the late night talk show in spring 2014. Most industry insiders had expected this departure with Leno’s contract set to expire in fall 2014.
According to NBC the show will be returning to its original home at 30 Rock in New York City when the switch is made.
Sources familiar with the situation see this transition as a move by the network to garner more of the coveted younger audience demographic.
Although the program has been a staple for nearly 60 years, Fallon is set to join the exclusive group of men, Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, Leno and O’Brien, who’ve held the post.
Saturday Night Live’s lead writer Seth Meyers is rumored to be the lead candidate to fill Fallon’s vacated spot.