UPDATED Wednesday, April 3, 2013 --- 2:04 p.m.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Jay Leno says he will be leaving NBC's "Tonight Show" next spring, to be replaced by Jimmy Fallon.
Leno announced the move Wednesday in a news release.
NBC also confirms that the show will be moving to New York City when Fallon takes over. "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels will take over as producer of the new "Tonight Show."
The move has been widely reported but not confirmed by the network until now. NBC reportedly just wrapped up negotiations with Fallon on a contract extension.
NBC did not say who will replace Fallon in his current time slot, which is one hour later than the "Tonight Show."
Copyright 2013: Associated Press
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UPDATED Wednesday, April 3, 2013 --- 11:46 a.m.
According to NBC, Jimmy Fallon will be taking over "The Tonight Show" in spring of 2014. Jay Leno will depart as host after more than 20 years.
"The Tonight Show" will return to its original home in 30 Rock in New York. It will be executive-produced by Lorne Michaels of "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" fame.
NBC release the following quotes as part of the announcement.
Said Leno: “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.”
Said Fallon: “I’m really excited to host a show that starts today instead of tomorrow.”
NBC says they will announce programming plans for "Late Night" in the future.
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Posted Thursday, March 21, 2013 --- 10:58 a.m.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- As Jay Leno lobs potshots at ratings-challenged NBC in his "Tonight Show" monologues, speculation is swirling the network is taking steps to replace the host with Jimmy Fallon next year and move the show from Burbank to New York.
NBC confirmed Wednesday it's creating a new studio for Fallon in New York, where he hosts "Late Night." But the network did not comment on a report that the digs at its Rockefeller Plaza headquarters may become home to a transplanted, Fallon-hosted "Tonight Show."
The New York Times reported the replacement in a Wednesday story. The Hollywood Reporter had a similar report March 1, which was denied by the network.
Looming over NBC is its failed effort to replace Leno with Conan O'Brien, which ended in 2010 with Leno regaining "Tonight" and NBC losing O'Brien to TBS.
Copyright 2013: Associated Press
