Report: Fallon to replace Leno next year as host of 'Tonight' show

Leno's contract expires in the fall of 2014, and NBC wants to make the change by then, the NYT's Bill Carter is reporting. The story, citing sources, confirms a piece in THR some weeks back that had Fallon taking over (network officials vehemently denied the report.) Never mind that Leno continues to lead in the ratings. As part of the change, the network wants to move the "Tonight" show back to NY, where it was based until 1972. Fallon's show is now in NY.

NBC became concerned when ABC moved its own late-night star, Jimmy Kimmel, to go head-to-head with Mr. Leno and Mr. Letterman. Mr. Kimmel had been building his reputation as a host, generating well-received new ideas for the late-night format. He is also a generation younger than Mr. Leno and Mr. Letterman. Many executives in the television business speculated that NBC could not afford to wait too long to promote Mr. Fallon, or it might risk having Mr. Kimmel lock up the younger-adult viewers that are the economic lifeblood of late-night television.

NBC's plans are being leaked just as Leno keeps firing zingers at the network's low-rated prime time lineup ("'The Biggest Loser' isn't just a TV show anymore; it's our new motto," and "It's so bad, NBC called Manti Te'o and asked him to bring in some imaginary viewers.") NBC honcho Robert Greenblatt sent the "Tonight" show host an unhappy email and Leno pointed out in response that poking fun at the network is a long tradition going back to at least Carson (see video below). The correspondence was then conveniently leaked. Leno kept at it on Tuesday by mentioning a woman who sees everything upside down and then adding, "In fact, she thinks NBC is at the top of the ratings." From the LAT:

While Leno is still in first place with both viewers and the coveted adults 18-49 demographic, he is not as dominant as he once was. NBC has tried to downplay the Fallon talk. Given its woes in prime time and in the morning (where ABC's "Good Morning Amerca" now beats "Today") this does not seem like the ideal time to tinker with one of the few things working for the network. Also, let's not forget how NBC fared the last time it tried to replace Leno. Interestingly, a person close to NBC suggested that it was Leno's camp, in true Machiavellian fashion, that was spreading the Fallon rumors -- which started around the time of Greenblatt's email -- just to put the network brass on the defense.