Jimmy Fallon to Take Over “The Tonight Show”

Jay Leno has retired from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” an American late-night talk show airing on NBC. Leno’s final airing was February 6, 2014 and wrapped up the night before the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Jimmy Fallon took over for Jay Leno, and will prove to be a significant change. Before “The Tonight Show,” Fallon hosted “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” Fallon is not only a television host, but also a comedian, actor, singer, musician and producer.

When it was announced last year that Fallon would take over the show, he recognized the significance of continuing the themes of “Late Night.” He said, “I’m not going to change anything. It’s more eyeballs watching, but it’s the same show.”

Fallon appeared in many films, such as “Taxi,” “Whip It,” and the most recent, “Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star,” playing himself. Fallon is best known as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) from 1998-2004. He started out as a feature player in 1998-1999, but because of his incredible impersonations, he was promoted to become a full cast member in the summer of 1999. His signature bits on SNL were song parodies.

He also became co-anchor with Tina Fey, in the “Weekend Update” segment of SNL in October 2000. Jimmy Fallon left “Saturday Night Live” in 2004 after wanting to pursue a movie career. Although he moved on from SNL, he made several appearances in the years since he departed. On Dec. 17, 2011, Fallon returned to SNL to host. His performance for hosting earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in Comedy Series.

As Fallon moved to a new time, Seth Meyers took his place as the new host of “Late Night.” Meyers is an American actor, voice actor, writer, producer, television host and comedian.

Fallon celebrated his final night with “Late Night” with the Muppets. On Feb. 17, he then took over “The Tonight Show” with featured guests U2 and Will Smith.

Fallon has big shoes to fill as Leno retires. Leno took over for Johnny Carson, the first host of “The Tonight Show,” who retired in May 1992. This year was not the first time Leno retired from the show. He left the show in 2009 with Conan O’Brien taking over. Leno returned in March 2010.

By 2012, the Los Angeles Times reported that the show was in incredible trouble for many reasons, but the mainly because NBC was losing money. NBC then made the decision to replace Leno. As Jay Leno leaves behind his 22 years of legacy, Fallon must now work to leave behind one of his own.