Jimmy Fallon to replace Jay Leno on ‘The Tonight Show’ in Spring 2014

It’s official: Jimmy Fallon will take over The Tonight Show in Spring 2014 when Jay Leno will step down (again) from his post as the late-night ratings king. When Fallon moves to 11:35PM, The Tonight Show will return to its home at 30 Rock in New York City. Leno took over the hosting duties of The Tonight Show in 1992 from TV icon Johnny Carson, and when Leno steps down in 2014 he will have hosted for 22 years. A replacement for Fallon at Late Night has not been picked yet, but rumors are swirling that executive producer Lorne Michaels will fill the vacant seat with another SNL Weekend Update anchor, Seth Meyers. Here are some quotes pulled from an NBC press release:
Leno: “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.”
Fallon: “I’m really excited to host a show that starts today instead of tomorrow.”
Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal: “Jay Leno is an entertainment icon, making millions of people laugh every weeknight for more than 20 years. His long reign as the highest-rated late-night host is a testament to his work ethic and dedication to his viewers and to NBC. We are purposefully making this change when Jay is #1, just as Jay replaced Johnny Carson when he was #1. Jimmy Fallon is a unique talent and this is his time. I’m thrilled he will become the sixth host of ‘The Tonight Show’ at exactly the right moment, in conjunction with our coverage of next year’s Winter Olympic Games from Sochi, Russia.”
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg commented on Tonight moving from Burbank, California to 30 Rock. “The Tonight Show will bring even more jobs and economic activity to our city — and we couldn’t be happier that one of New York’s own is bringing the show back to where it started — and where it belongs.”
When The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon premieres in Spring 2014, Lorne Michaels will follow him to serve as exec producer of his new show and his old one; he replaces longtime Tonight EP Debbie Vickers. As long as Leno follows through with his talk show retirement this time, Fallon is poised to smoothly transition into the earlier hour of entertainment. Way to go Jimmy! Let’s hope he brings The Roots with him. Watch Fallon and Leno sing it out in a clip embedded after the break.
[Via Deadline 1, 2] (Click here for more…)
Justin Timberlake & Jimmy Fallon team up for another “History of Rap” mega-medley
To promote his upcoming new album The 20/20 Experience, the versatile Justin Timberlake visited Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for an entire week. So when Friday rolled around and viewers hadn’t seen a new installment of “History of Rap” yet you knew it had to be coming. And it did!! Fallon, Timberlake, and The Roots collaborated for a fourth time to span the history of rap to produce one entertaining medley that you never want to end. Before the performance begins, JT admits “But this is the last time…” and JF finishes his sentence “until the next time we do this” and then JT echoes that hopefully meaning that this in fact won’t be the final musical trip around the beat-driven genre.
And now, without further ado, I present “History of Rap Part 4.”
FUNNY: Jimmy Fallon spoofs the debate, tells Jim Lehrer to “shut the f**k up”
If you watch the Presidential debate this week, you will find this spoof to be absolutely hilarious. A day after the debate, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon debuted this sketch which stars Fallon as Mitt Romney, an Obama impersonator, and Late Night head writer A.D. Miles as frustrated moderator Jim Lehrer. Lehrer had a difficult time keeping the candidates on the same subject and time contraints made matters worse. In this spot-on spoof, Romney and Obama team up and tell Lehrer to “shut the f**k up.” Enjoy.
Jimmy Fallon becomes Justin Bieber to sing “(It’s Not My) Baby”, teams with Timberlake for another History of Rap
If you’ve been following the last in pop culture news, then you should be aware that a 20-year-old California woman filed a paternity suit against teen idol Justin Bieber. Biebs is denying it of course, but that doesn’t mean late night host and Bieber impersonator Jimmy Fallon can’t play around with the hit single “Baby” and intelligently turn it into “(It’s Not My) Baby” noooo! Jimmy hits all the right notes and Roots rapper Black Thought plays a convincing Ludacris feature in the spoof embedded above.
And as the post title alludes to, Jimmy teamed up with Justin Timberlake yet again for “History of Rap 3.” That one’s waiting after the break. (Click here for more…)
Fallon, Timberlake & The Roots perform “History of Rap Part 2″
Man am I glad that the rap medley performed by Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake, and Late Night house band The Roots is certain to become a regular segment on Fallon’s variety show. Just when you thought the original “History of Rap” posted last October couldn’t be topped, version 2.0 rolls around and it is guaranteed to knock your socks off. Mash play and take a journey through hip-hop; the rapping duo tackle classics from N.W.A.’s “Express Yourself” and Cypress Hills’ “Insane in the Brain” to modern hits like 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” and DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win.” And that’s exactly what this is: pure win.
Stephen Colbert sings “Friday” with The Roots
I know, this is starting to become Rebecca Black overload. But this here video must be shared amongst Internet dwellers. Last night Stephen Colbert made a special appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to sing the world’s most hated song ever, “Friday.” But why, you ask? Recently Colbert auctioned off a painting of himself for $26,000 to benefit DonorsChoose.org, then last week he said that Jimmy would match the donation. Thing is is that Jimmy had no idea about Colbert’s announcement until earlier this week. Instead of brushing aside the false fact, Jimmy asked his friends, family, and fans to help raise enough money to match Colbert’s donation. And guess what–we beat it by $46. In total, Colbert, Jimmy, and NBC Universal (which doubled Fallon’s number) raised $86,000. Woo! And because Jimmy was able to raise the money, Colbert agreed to come on the show and celebrate by singing “Friday.” Double woo! (That would be a woo woo!) Watch Colbert’s rendition of the track you love to hate; The Roots back him up, Black Thought does some rapping, and Jimmy joins in, as does a couple of surprise guests!
Felicia Day is ready to up the ante with new ‘Dragon Age’ web series
BioWare, the studio behind the role-playing game franchise Dragon Age, has tapped web series guru Felicia Day to produce a brand new series based in the world of the game. Dragon Age: Redemption takes place in Ferelden, the same environment Bioware’s original Dragon Age and upcoming Dragon Age 2 games are set in. Day, who penned the story, will play Tallis an Elven assassin who she describes as being “headstrong, she fights dirty, and she has a really sarcastic sense of humor.” She adds, “I wanted to bring a modern sensibility to a fantasy character in a fantasy world.” Day teamed up with director Peter Winther (associate producer of Independence Day), cinematographer John Bartley (Lost‘s DP), and props extraordinaire Greg Aronowitz to up the ante in terms of web series creation. “They are going to take this a step above what we have seen on the Web before,” says Day. Comedy web series The Guild this is not. Expect higher production value and kick-ass action sequences to boot. More than serving as a marketing device for Bioware (and parent company EA), Redemption will further propel the art of the web series into an entirely new realm of respectability…certainly if Felicia Day has anything to say about it.
Last night Day was a featured guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and there she premiered a teaser trailer for the series. Watch the trailer above and click after the break to find the Fallon segment. Dragon Age: Redemption is slated to begin its six-episode run this summer.
Watch The Exorcist’s Linda Blair whip her hair back and forth in this unlikely mashup
Who knew the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist would come in so much handy 37 years after its theatrical release? Watch Linda Blair perform Willow’s smash hit!
And on a related note, in case you missed it, check out Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young perform a unique rendition of the catchy song after the break. (Click here for more…)
Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake & The Roots tell “A History of Rap”
Using Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as a platform, Fallon, Timberlake, and The Roots perform a medley of classic rap songs. Oh, it’s good.
Questlove from The Roots remixes the clips on Late Night
Ahh, this is so awesome! The Roots’ drummer Questlove was given the task of remixing the infamous “blind man is gay” reporter blooper with other topical clips. Using his drum kit and a DJ setup, Quest nails it. Short on time? Fast-forward to the 1 minute mark to watch the magic.
Jimmy Fallon to host the next Emmys

It was just announced that Late Night host Jimmy Fallon will host the 62nd Primetime Emmys. Paul Telegdy, NBC executive VP of alternative programming, shares his excitement about the decision: “Jimmy was the natural choice as one of the most promising and likable young entertainers who will now have the chance to display his many talents on television’s biggest night. His proven skills as a comedian and host — as well as his openness to new ideas — will fully engage audiences and ultimately deliver a lively Emmy telecast.” And here’s what Jimmy had to say about it: “Hosting the Emmys has been a dream of mine ever since they told me I was doing it.” Ha!
The Emmys will air August 29 at 8PM ET on NBC.
[Via EW-Hollywood Insider]
Jimmy Fallon premieres “LATE” (Lost parody)
This here is the trailer and after the break you can catch the first episode titled “Where Are We.” Be on the lookout for more installments once Late Night with Jimmy Fallon returns to air after the Winter Olympics on NBC.
[Via LNWJF]
Jimmy Fallon sings “Fresh Prince” as Neil Young
And he sounds just like him.
[Via EW]
Do the Jimmy Fallon dip!
In celebration of 100 episodes of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, get up and do the Jimmy Fallon dip everyone!
Jimmy Fallon goes to Comic Con
Jimmy Fallon takes his idea of his own superhero a little too far when he becomes, ”The Recharger.” The special guests rock: Lost members, Stan Lee, Jon Favreau, and more!
Jimmy Fallon – Celebrity Video Games
Yes Jimmy, the flip is neat.
Project Natal on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Microsoft’s Project Natal is SO COOL. I cannot wait to get this thing. For the time being, though, the best we can all experience is watching others play with it as we sit back, jaw-dropped in envy. Watch Jimmy Fallon and his three guests play two demos on Natal, the Richocet game and Burnout Paradise. Microsoft’s Kudo Tsunoda was there to give instruction. [According to Engadget, the red jumpsuits were worn just for fun.]
SNL’s Jason Sudeikis goes to E3
Last week on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy sent Saturday Night Live cast member Jason Sudeikis to the big gaming convention E3. Watch the video–it is hilarious!!

