NBC NAMES JIMMY FALLON AS HOST OF 'LATE NIGHT' WHEN CONAN O'BRIEN TAKES OVER 'THE TONIGHT SHOW' IN 2009
Source: NBC Entertainment
May 13, 2008 - 10:15:08 AM
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NEW YORK - May 12, 2008 – NBC has identified the last piece in its late night
succession plan, naming Jimmy Fallon as the new host of "Late Night" when Conan
O'Brien moves to "The Tonight Show" in 2009.
The announcement was made
today by Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman, Co-Chairmen, NBC Entertainment and
Universal Media Studios, at a press conference at the Top of the Rock at
Rockefeller Center.
"We couldn't be happier to have Jimmy back on NBC
and to have our number one-rated late night team fully in place for the future,"
said Silverman, "Jimmy is more than just a likeable guy and a great comedian, he
is genuinely interested in what people have to say."
"Jimmy's proven
track record and personality make him a natural for this important role that
will bring a new generation of fans to 'Late Night,'" said Graboff. "He will put
his own distinct mark on late night humor just as he did on 'SNL' and in his
other creative endeavors."
Added Rick Ludwin, Executive Vice President,
Late Night and Primetime Series, NBC Entertainment, "Simply put, Jimmy has all
of the qualities for a late night host -- in addition to being funny, he loves
talking to people on and off camera, he's a talented comedy writer and his time
at 'SNL' demonstrated not only his ability to entertain, but also the work ethic
and dedication it takes to succeed at hosting a nightly show."
A
recognized comic talent, Fallon has demonstrated an ability to deliver
versatile, standout performances while always staying grounded in his stand-up
roots.
Fallon first garnered attention in 1998 when he joined the cast
of "Saturday Night Live" and quickly became an audience favorite for his
memorable recurring characters and spot-on impressions and in 2000, Fallon
became the co-anchor of the "SNL's" signature segment "Weekend Update" alongside
Tina Fey.
Fallon ventured off into other television roles, including Tom
Hanks and Steven Spielberg's Emmy award-winning miniseries "Band of Brothers." A
favorite among the MTV audience, Fallon hosted the MTV Movie Awards twice and
hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2002. Fallon made an impressive turn guest
hosting "The Late Show" for an ailing David Letterman in 2003.
Fallon
made his feature film debut in Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous" and went on to
appear in numerous films including Woody Allen's "Anything Else," "Fever Pitch"
opposite Drew Barrymore and the indie "Factory Girl."
The premiere date
for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" will be announced at a later date. Lorne
Michaels is executive producer. "Late Night" is a production of Universal Media
Studios in association with Broadway Video. NBC is America's Late Night Leader
with the number one-rated "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan
O'Brien," "Last Call with Carson Daly" and "Saturday Night Live."
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