Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

A familiar face from NBC stopped by the Channel 3 studios today. Jimmy Fallon, from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, was here to chat and we had a chance to sit down with him. He spoke about his upcoming appearance on Saturday Night Live and how he feels about taking over the iconic Tonight Show early next year. Click to watch his interview the Russ Mitchell and Kris Pickel:

Special to the Director's Cut Blog Gary Levin, USA TODAY It's a generational shift at an icon of late-night TV: NBC's Tonight Show has anointed only its sixth host in its 59-year history. Jimmy Fallon will take over for Jay Leno late next February, the network confirmed Wednesday, after Leno is ushered off the stage for the second time in a 22-year run. With the handoff, expected just after a promotional push during NBC's Winter Olympics, Tonight will move back to Fallon's base in New York City from Burbank, Calif., its home for more than 30 years. And the show is being placed in the hands of executive producer Lorne Michaels, who created Saturday Night Live and has shepherded projects featuring many of its stars, from 30 Rock to Fallon's current Late Night. But wee-hours talk shows have diminished in stature and ratings, amid huge shifts in television viewing.  Jay Leno (L) and Jimmy Fallon (R) Cable competitors have sprung up, and recorded shows co...

Long a renowned comic talent, Jimmy Fallon's ability to deliver versatile, standout performances on the screen has allowed him to join the exclusive ranks as one of the "Saturday Night Live" alumni at the forefront of a diverse line-up of television and film projects -- while always staying grounded in his stand-up roots. Most recently, NBC named Fallon as the replacement for Conan O’Brien on "Late Night" emanating out of New York City. The show -- which will serve as a platform for comedy, music and A-list talent to promote their upcoming projects -- is being executive-produced by Lorne Michaels and will premiere in March 2nd. In the months leading up to the broadcast debut, Fallon has produced video blogs that run online nightly at 12:30 a.m. on NBC.com. Fallon first garnered attention in 1998 when he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" and quickly became an audience favorite for his impressions of Jerry Seinfeld, John Travolta, Adam Sandler as ...

As we first told you on the Director's Blog 2 weeks ago, NBC has indeed tapped Jimmy Fallon to replace Conan O'Brien on "Late Night." Here was the offical announcement made today by NBC: NBC has identified the last piece in its late night succession plan, naming Jimmy Fallon as the new host of "Late Night" when Conan O'Brien moves to "The Tonight Show" in 2009. The announcement was made today by Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman, Co-Chairmen, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, at a press conference at the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. "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 Silverman, "Jimmy is more than just a likeable guy and a great comedian, he is genuinely interested in what people have to say." "Jimmy's proven track record and personality make him a natural for this important role that will bri...

Variety is reporting this afternoon that Jimmy Fallon will most likely be announced as successor to Conan O'Brien when Conan takes over for Jay Leno on the "Tonight Show" next year. NBC was planning on making the announcement to advertisers next month at a gathering at 30 Rock, but the news was reported on a Fox News web report, making it likely the Peacock network will have to make the announcement much sooner. Insiders also say that Conan will likely take off about six months between his final "Late Night" and first "Tonight Show." To read the entire Variety article: CLICK HERE