It's Official: NBC Announces That Jay Leno Returns To Host of "Tonight", Conan Leaves

UNIVERSAL CITY, California - NBC confirmed today that popular late-night host Jay Leno will return to host "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" from 11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. (ET) beginning March 1, 2010 and that "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" will continue to be broadcast from 12:35-1:35 a.m. (ET). The announcements were made by Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment.

"We're pleased that Jay is returning to host the franchise that he helmed brilliantly and successfully for many years," said Gaspin. "He is an enormous talent, a consummate professional and one of the hardest-working performers on television."

Leno previously hosted "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" from May 1992-May 2009. The program will continue to showcase many of the features that made Leno America's late-night leader for more than a dozen years.

"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" made its broadcast debut on March 2, 2009 with "Saturday Night Live" alum Fallon as the host of the comedy-talk show. The program serves as a platform for comedy, music and A-list talent out of NBC's Rockefeller Center Studio 6B. Fallon is joined by his house band -- the critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning hip-hop band The Roots. Earlier, Fallon launched his "Late Night" video blog (or "vlog"), giving viewers behind-the-scenes access to his preparation for the show's official launch at www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com.

Fallon joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1998 and quickly became an audience favorite for his impressions of actors and musicians as well as for creating many memorable recurring characters. In 2000, he became co-anchor of the segment "Weekend Update" alongside Tina Fey. Fallon also appeared in the Emmy Award-winning miniseries "Band of Brothers," and his feature films include "Almost Famous," "Taxi" and "Fever Pitch."

In addition, NBC and Conan O'Brien have reached a resolution of the issues surrounding O'Brien's contract to host the "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."

Under terms of an agreement that was signed earlier today, NBC and O'Brien will settle their contractual obligations and the network will release O'Brien from his contract, freeing him to pursue other opportunities after September 1, 2010.

O'Brien will make his final appearance as host of the "Tonight Show" on Friday, January 22nd.

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