Jimmy Fallon Takes the Helm of The Tonight Show from Jay Leno

It’s official. The Tonight Show will change hands in February 2014. By next spring Jay Leno, 62, will step down making way for comedian and talk show host Jimmy Fallon after more than two decades of holding the fort. Jay Leno’s contract will expire at that time and evidently he will not be called back to resume his duties. Leno started hosting the show in 1992.

There is another major change concerning the show. When Fallon takes over, The Tonight Show will have a new home at 30 Rock in New York City. The last time the show was taped at this location was when Johnny Carson said goodbye as host in 1972. The show is definitely relocating from Los Angeles to NYC. The show is going back home now that it is almost 60 years old.

“Congratulations, Jimmy”

For many people Jay Leno’s imminent parting from The Tonight Show is the end of an era. Leno himself seems at ease with the decision as he expressed his congratulations to Fallon saying he wishes him the same luck that he may keep the job until Fallon is “the old guy.” Leno said in an interview that he was part of the decision-making process for this transition and said that he feels good about it. The same procedure was said to be put in effect when the show was handed over from Johnny Carson to Jay Leno. NBC said that when Leno replaced Carson, the latter was also #1 in the ratings.

Steve Burke, the head of NBC said that this is Jimmy Fallon’s time and the he (Fallon) is “a unique talent.” The announcement from NBC was released on Wednesday was preceded by rumors which persisted for weeks before it was just recently confirmed.

This was not the first time that the network attempted transitioning to a new host. Conan O’Brien was slated to replace Jay Leno back in 2004. But the plan did not work out so well since Leno remained on top of the ratings. NBC did not want Leno to transfer to another network and bring his following with him so they let him keep his job and O’Brien was let go.

Late Night

One of the reasons why the transition was deemed necessary was brought about by the schedule change in ABC Television Network’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! The show has not yet usurped the ratings from The Tonight Show but it has proven itself to be a formidable competition, especially among younger audiences.

The Tonight Show will also have a new producer – Lorne Michaels from the enduring comedy show Saturday Night Live.