Jay Leno - Bitten and Bound

Seth Meyers to Replace NBC ‘Late Night’ Host

Celebrities, Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyer No Responses »

May 122013

Seth Meyers has been tapped to take over the NBC ‘Late Night’ gig when Jimmy Fallon vacates the slot to step in for the retiring Jay Leno next year.

The ‘Saturday Night Live’ head writer was considered the favorite to replace Fallon when he begins hosting ‘The Tonight Show,’ and the news has now been confirmed.

NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt announced, “His years at SNL’s Weekend Update desk, not to mention being head writer of the show for many seasons, helped him hone a topical brand of comedy that is perfect for the ‘Late Night’ franchise.”

The Emmy-winner has appeared on ‘SNL’ for twelve years. He said, “Twelve-thirty on NBC has long been incredible real estate. I hope I can do it justice.”

Seth will remain on ‘SNL’ through the fall, when he will begin preparing to take over the late-night gig that will be executive produced by Lorne Michaels.

Meyers hit Twitter a few hours ago to announce his new job and get in a Mother’s Day shout out too, “So, next year I’m going to succeed Fallon on ‘Late Night.’ Thanks to NBC, Lorne, but especially Mom.”

Photo: WENN

NBC Makes it Official: Fallon In, Leno Out

Celebrities, Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon No Responses »

Apr 042013

After weeks of speculation, NBC confirmed Tuesday that Jay Leno will be leaving ‘The Tonight Show’ in the spring of 2014. Stepping in for a New York City-based revamp of the popular evening talkie will be Jimmy Fallon.

NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke announced, “We are purposefully making this change when Jay is #1, just as Jay replaced Johnny Carson when he was #1.”

One day after the two men collaborated on a touching video spoof, Leno said in a press release, “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 took the opportunity to poke a little fun at his CBS rival David Letterman.

Jimmy Fallon is clearly enjoying the well wishes of fans. He tweeted, “Today was one of the most exciting days of my life. I read every tweet and every post and I thank you.”

There is already buzz about the possibility of funnyman Seth Meyers being tapped to take over Fallon’s ‘Late Night’ gig. Another scenario could have the network expand ‘The Tonight Show’ to two hours.

Check out the ‘Tonight’ duet, a parody performance with a nod to ‘West Side Story’ below:

Photos: Twitter-Fallon, Leno

Jimmy Fallon and Jay Leno Croon ‘Tonight’ in Video Parody

Celebrities, Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon No Responses »

Apr 022013

In a humorous video parody, ‘Late Night’ host Jimmy Fallon teamed up with ‘Tonight’ veteran Jay Leno to croon a song from the iconic Broadway musical ‘West Side Story.’

Adding more fuel to speculation that Leno will be replaced by Fallon next year, this spoof aired as a seamless transition between the two shows on Monday night.

The sketch started with Leno being hounded by reporters at his Burbank studio as Fallon is shown in his office minutes before he is due on stage.

Jay telephones Jimmy and before you know it they’re singing a dramatic rendition of the 1956 tune ‘Tonight’ written by Leonard Bernstein.

NBC has not yet announced their 2014 plan but this collaborative effort appears to be the first signal that the network wants this transition to go smoothly after the black eye they received during the 2010 Conan fiasco.

Check out the video below … good stuff:

Photos: Video Screen Grabs

Letterman Presses Brian Williams for NBC Dirt

Celebrities, David Letterman, Jay Leno, matt lauer, today show No Responses »

Mar 272013

NBC newsman Brian Williams sat down with David Letterman last night on the ‘Late Show’ and was immediately grilled about a number of festering network issues.

The veteran CBS host tested the waters, “I’m the soul of discretion. A few months ago there was a problem on the TODAY show.”

Williams laughed and asked, “Am I going to wake up in the shower? Please tell me I’m going to wake up and it’s going to be morning and I’m going to say ‘Hey! I’m doing Dave tonight and that was just a dream.’”

Letterman pressed on, “No, now listen.” He wove a convoluted tale of the feud between Ann Curry and Matt Lauer that resulted in a shake-up and then went on to suggest that the ‘Tonight Show’ rumors were leaked to get everyone to focus there and not on the TODAY show.

He ended by asking Williams, “If I’m on to something, blink twice.” To the newsman’s credit … he did not.

The media noise surrounding Lauer has increased in recent weeks. After rumors surfaced that NBC had approached Anderson Cooper, a spokesman said, “The network has exploratory talks with talent inside and outside of the network. But to read anything specific into that is presumptuous.”

Check out the humorous exchange between Brian and Dave on video below:

Photo: Video Screen Grab

Jimmy Fallon to Replace Jay Leno in New York as Tonight Show Host

Celebrities, Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon No Responses »

Mar 212013

Big changes are in store for NBC’s ‘Tonight Show.’ Jimmy Fallon will replace veteran talk show host Jay Leno when his contract expires in the fall of 2014.

According to the New York Times, the show will move back to New York City with Fallon at the helm next year.

The ‘Tonight Show’ premiered in 1954 with host Steve Allen, followed by Jack Paar and later the iconic Johnny Carson, who took the show to the West Coast.

‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’ has been recorded at NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center 30 Rock for the past four years.

NBC is hoping to avoid a repeat of the drama that accompanied the last transition.

Three years ago Conan O’Brien replaced Leno, who spun off another show in prime time. Jay’s show flopped and the network gave him back his old job and paid off O’Brien. NBC suffered a significant black eye over the fiasco.

Where does this leave the other late night icon David Letterman? His contract is also up next year and it seems likely that CBS will be looking for someone to fend off a market share takeover by Fallon.

Photo Credit: WENN

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