NBC Names Late Night Successor

NEW YORK, May 13: NBC has
named Jimmy Fallon, a Saturday Night Live alum, as the new host of Late Night when Conan O’Brien moves to The Tonight Show in 2009.

First entering the circuit
as a stand-up comedian, Fallon joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1998, and in 2000 became the co-anchor of SNL’s “Weekend Update” segment alongside Tina Fey. He
has held a slew of television roles, including filling in for David Letterman
on The Late Show in 2003, and
has also appeared in numerous feature films.

"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 Ben Silverman, the co-chairman
of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. "Jimmy is more than just
a likeable guy and a great comedian, he is genuinely interested in what people
have to say."

Added Rick Ludwin, the
executive VP of late night and prime-time series for 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."

The premiere date for Late
Night with Jimmy Fallon will be
announced at a later date.

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski