Jimmy Fallon to Take Over for Conan

Jimmy Fallon has been rumored to take over hosting duties on Late Night, when Conan O’Brien heads to L.A. to host the Tonight Show, for a while now. In fact Fallon’s name is the only one I ever hear when discussion about who will replace Conan starts up, and now it seems it’s official.

Apparently NBC wanted to announce this piece of news next month, but Roger Friedman over at FOX News has beaten them to the punch.

There’s much debate about letting Leno leave NBC etc., but right now let’s just concentrate on Jimmy. He’s the perfect successor to Conan and should have just as big an audience when he takes the reins. Fallon is one of those great underrated performers. This should be the right milieu for him.

Fallon, who recently married producer Nancy Juvonen, is said to be thrilled and ready, if not a little scared, about taking Conan’s desk. He still has to pick a producer and a band, among other things.

There’s no question that Fallon definitely has some big shoes to fill, but seems like a decent choice. He’s better suited for television then he is the big screen – Did anyone see Taxi? This late night shuffle takes play in May 2009.