It was officially announced this week by NBC that Jimmy Fallon is going to take over “The Tonight Show” in 2014. Jay Leno will finish out his run as the host of the show before Fallon takes over as host. Fallon will take over the show in February, according to Bill Carter of The New York Times.
Fallon has been the host of “Late Night” since 2009. Lorne Michaels is the executive producer of the current show Fallon hosts and will also produce “The Tonight Show” along with his duties at “Saturday Night Live.”
The announcement confirms the rumors that have been swirling for months now. The show is going to be taped at 30 Rock in New York. The last time the show was taped at 30 Rock was when Johnny Carson left the show in 1972.
Leno, in a statement, said, “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.”
In an interview with the Times, Leno said, “The main difference between this and the other time is I’m part of the process. The last time the decision was made without me. I came into work one day and — you’re out.”