Jimmy Fallon First Choice to Replace Conan O’Brien.

Mandy @ Gone Hollywood | Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Jimmy Fallon First Choice to Replace Conan O’Brien - PIC

Let the rumors begin. Jimmy Fallon is the favorite of NBC to replace Conan O’Brien in 2009, when O’Brien is scheduled to take over for Jay Leno.

NBC late-night chief Rick Ludwin says he doesn’t expect to make an announcement until sometime after the first of the year, but he confirmed that Fallon is on the top of the network’s list.

“These are very tough jobs when you promise comedy as part of the equation, and it’s a grind to do one of these shows,” Ludwin says. “We know him from SNL and saw what he can do on-camera and off-camera, and I think he’d be terrific.”

With Fallon as host, another change might be in the location of the show. It may move from Burbank back to New York City. But execs have other things to worry about. If NBC decides to keep Leno at 11:35, it must pay O’Brien a penalty in the neighborhood of $45 million and know he will then jump to another network, most likely ABC or Fox, which want in on the late-night race.

I don’t know how I feel about Jimmy Fallon hosting. I used to be a big fan, but lately he seems more annoying than funny.

Source: broadcastingcable