Fallon Finally Makes "Late Night" Position Official

At a press conference set to take place today, it's expected that Jimmy Fallon will be announced as Conan O'Brien's successor on the "Late Night" show. WNBC reports that the early chatter came in from an anonymous source. The announcement doesn't come as a surprise, since reports of the late night changes began to leak last year; last month Fallon's new position was all but confirmed.

The NY Times reports that Fallon will be formally introduced today, as he's expected to appear at the news conference alongside Lorne Michaels, who hand-picked him for the spot. Why Michaels? His last pick, O'Brien, "defied early naysayers and turned into a champ."

When will the city have to bid farewell to the reigning champ is yet to be announced, but the host will be moving to the West Coast to fill Leno's chair; Leno is reportedly "not eager to leave." However, if NBC backs out of the O'Brien deal, the penalty fee is said to be around $40 million.

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By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on May 12, 2008 9:00 AM

Comments [rss]

sonyactivision

Jeffrey Zucker+Jimmy Fallon=Joe Franklin.

pierrevonbaron

Fallon is terrible. TERRIBLE!

sonyactivision

Jimmy Fallon is Frankenstein running amok with NBC's money, image, and future. I hope that NBC loses its two remaining viewers and GE dumps it. "Jimmy Fallon, now appearing on WTBS Late Nite!"

robingee

That picture is horrifying.

jaja007

I just have to say that Chief Anita Lo in the story below looks like Chairman Mao.

abzme

Did Lorne Michaels see Jimmy Fallon in 'Taxi'?!

Mr Mel

continued / or she) really thinks. My other thought is that Jimmy Fallon won't be able to handle Conan's job, but we'll see.

Mr Mel

Continued (or she) really thought of someone as mean as Ms Coulter. There, I've got that off my chest. My other thought is that Jimmy Fallon isn't up to doing Conan's job.

Mr Mel

Leno should go.I think he's overstayed his welcome, Letterman is much brighter and funnier. What we need is someone with balls. I stopped watching Leno after an interview with Ann Coulter, flacking her book about the 9/11 wives, where she claimed that the weren,t mourners but greedy unchristian blood suckers. Leno sat there and took it, but his body language showed how uncomfortable he was but he did not come back at her. Was he afraid to confront her? Probably. I tuned in the following night hoping he had something to say, but he didn't. We need someone there that knows he's got the bully pulpit and could say what he (or

Bubba

Jimmy Fallon, man of little talent...

sidenote

So that's what Michael Jackson would look like with red hair...

indy

i continue to be insulted that the above poster thinks genocide is a humorous topic. nobody cares what you think about conan, who deserves the promotion. who else would you rather replace leno?

jenchungsgrammar

i got nothing to say after babyhitler put it so well. thank you, babyhitler.

babyhitler

man, talk show hosts have longer longevity than presidents. Conan's move to the west coast benefits no one. Conan will have a bigger kids glove approach cause he has to pander to mainstream america and NBC loses on both counts. They will probably gain a few college kids who watch conan but lose a lot of college kids who like to watch conan LATE at night while stoned. 11:30 is too early for college kids to watch TV. He'll probably lose a lot of old people who can't fathom Conan's highly educated verbal style and if Conan tones it down he'll lose me as a fan. NBC loses Leno who makes money for them by just being sycophantic to guests. He'll probably bolt to ABC or maybe FOX. And now we get fallon at night. It's Lose-Lose-Lose all around.