On Saturday Night Live, he co-anchored "Weekend Update" with Tina Fey and hosted a talk show as Barry Gibb in a recurring sketch. But is Jimmy Fallon ready for a real-deal hosting gig? NBC apparently thinks so; the New York Times reports that the network is currently discussing a "holding deal," which would secure Fallon’s on-air services, with the comedian and his representatives. Though the agreement wouldn’t guarantee Fallon a late-night job, NBC has been putting out feelers for successors to Conan O’Brien after the redhead host takes over from Jay Leno on The Tonight Show in 2009.
So far, the only other announced contender is Carson Daly, who has made no secret of his ambition to succeed O’Brien, and can’t be terribly happy with the news that NBC may pass him over after his years spent working the network’s post-Conan graveyard shift. And I’m sure Ryan Seacrest wouldn’t mind being considered; after all, the host-bot is only on television for 50 hours a week.
So who would you like to see take over for Conan when he leaves Late Night? And do you think Fallon can refrain from cracking himself up for a whole hour?
Comments (1-30) of 88
A nightly dose of Jimmy Fallon would be fine by me! NBC don’t screw it up this time and bring in the right guy for the job. Conie and Jimmy every night?!?!?! Woohoo!
all those suggested successors are bad choices, in my opinion. the subject of the previous post, craig ferguson, would be better than all of them but an unlikely choice. i think it’s about time they add a funny WOMAN to the mix and move ellen to late night. i think she’d be perfect there. and a worthy successor of conan.
Fallon would be alright, as long as it keeps him from doing movies.
How about two hours of Conan?
I think part of Jimmy’s charm is that he can’t help but laugh at everything himself. That he clearly enjoys the joke as much as the audience. Debbie Downer anyone? Remember how hilarious it was when Jimmy was part of it, but then once he left it just wasn’t that funny anymore? Well it’s obvious now that Jimmy’s frequent case of the giggles is what made that skit funny. None of the other players could keep a straight face.
Jimmy also has the potential to be a good talk show host simply because he’s relatable. He’s like your goofy brother who you can’t help but smile with.
I was a fan of Carson’s show when it began, when he was more into the guests than himself. He clearly enjoyed talking to these musicians and actors and the it showed to the viewer because I enjoyed watching them interact so smoothly. Cut to two years later and he changes his entire format and suddenly he’s like every other would be late night host. Nothing unique about him anymore.
I stopped watching.
As long as Carson does not get the job. I don’t care who replaces Conan.
Fallon seems like a poor choice, but a decade ago so did Conan Obrien. Back then everyone questioned why a former Simpsons writer should be hosting a show when he’d never been on tv before. And remember when everyone was sweating a non Craig Kilbourne Daily Show? Jon Stewart took that show and TORE IT UP! I’ve got not much love for Fallon’s post SNL career, but if he makes this show his own, he’s got a chance to turn it into something really funny. Or it could turn into another Pat Sajak show
As long as Carson Daly and Ryan Seacrest don’t get the slot, I’m fine with Fallon attempting to create his own late-night talk-show. In fact Fallon could even do his Carson Daly impersonation on the show, which has always been much more amusing than Daly himself. “Hi, I’m Carson Daly, the most mediocre man in America.”
I’m with cs; Ellen is an hilarious stand-up comic, and she can conduct good interviews, too. The only thing is, she might have too good a gig right now. But I would watch her every night.
There’s only one Carson that should ever be in late night and that’s Johnny. Daly is dead to the world. I’ve never met someone that says they watch his show. He bored me on TRL. The only thing ever exciting about him was his dating of Tara Reid.
they are smart not to have daly move up. he’s not funny. but i don’t think fallon is a good choice either. what about (gasp!) a woman? amy sedaris would be an awesome choice.
Seriously? Jimmy Fallon? I guy who could never get through his own damn skits without cracking up hosting a late night talk show? You’ve got to be kidding me. (And Daly isn’t even a remote possibility).
NBC should be smart and go with someone subversive like Conan was (mainstream humor has moved towards Conan, hence his now increasing popularity)…bringing a minority back to late night would be a great idea….are y’all thinking what I’m thinking?
Dave Chappelle. Give him complete free reign to do whatever he wants. And a boatload of money to do it.
I think you were looking at the wrong half of the screen there, Michelle. Tina Fey should succeed Conando.
Jimmy Fallon did a decent job with WU, and I think that he could eventually work as host of Late Night.
I also want to suggest Joel McHale from “The Soup.” He’s very funny and does a great job hosting on E!. NBC should be taking a look at McHale, because he has some real potential to host in this spot.
I agree it should be a female host. Amy Sedaris would certainly bring a new twist to late night. I’d also tune in for Wanda Sykes.
I agree with GOB. Amy or Wanda.
If Fallon takes over Conan’s slot, CBS should get rid of Craig Ferguson and put someone like Seacrest — or a woman, like Amy Poehler or Wanda Sykes — against him, then maybe CBS could finally win a late-night slot.
I too was thinking Tina Fey’d be fun, but she’s got a sweet gig with the hilarious 30 Rock. Wanda Sykes would be great, but her unsuccessful sitcom leads me to question if anyone else besides me would watch her.
Really? Jimmy Fallon? That guy hasnt been funny in five years….and even when he was it was marginal at best.
I love something Conan once said in EW’s “Stupid Questions” about Amanda Bynes taking over for him. Hahaha!
I believe he was asked to predict the future and said something along the lines of ” I’ll say ‘Good night folks, and stay tuned for Late Night with Amanda Bynes!’” I’m pretty sure there was something about robots and a castle as well, but you get the idea.
I’d be fine w/Fallon taking the slot, however, I agree w/some other people here about a female host. I think it would be a nice sort of addition to the late night all boys club. Why should women on TV be stuck in daytime TV? I think there are a few female commediennes out there who could do a really good job in late night. Caroline Rhea is one that comes to mind.
But I would really prefer to see Fallon in the spot over Carson Daily. Have you ever seen his show after Conan? It’s horrendous!!! There is no humor to be had there.
Jimmy Fallon would probably be the best choice. Carson Daly is, as Mr. Fallon elequently puts it, a tool. I think we’ve all seen enough of Ryan Seacrest as well. Late Night needs to have a comedian host to be successful and Jimmy Fallon fits the bill.
i totally agree – Joel McHale!!
As long as it keeps him from making “Taxi 2″, I’d give him almost any job on television.
No offense to Jimmy, but he was only funny because of Tina Fey. I like the idea of a female host. Don’t know who that should be, but definitely not Rosie.
My dog would be a better choice than Jimmy Fallon. And she will work for less cash.
Joel McHale! That would be a brilliant choice! He’s funny, has the evening edge which the jobs asks for and that both Jamie (too baby face) and Carson (too thin) do not have.
I’m loving Joel McHale as the new host, but isn’t he doing a new comedy on ABC this fall? I thought I read somewhere that he was.
Please not Ryan Seacreast, he is a “host-bot”. He should do a show with Elizabeth from The View.
Let’s pass on Jimmy Fallon and try Jon Stewart! I think he would put a great spin on such a network show with his writing team. Let’s strive for something above mediocrity, which is exactly what we would get with someone like JF (or Seacrest, or Daly…)
I would assume they want to keep “Late Night” funny, in which case Jimmy Fallon would be a terrible idea.
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