U.S. broadcast television NBC has locked in comedian Jimmy Fallon as host for six more years through 2021 as reported in Reuters. A few weeks before NBC faces a new challenge in late night, the network doubled down Jimmy Fallon's contract as host of the "Tonight Show".
NBC Entertainment Chief, Robert Greenblatt announced the deal Thursday morning as part of the Television Critics Association press tour presentation. He praised Fallon's work since taking over the show in February 2014. Greenblatt stated in an interview, "We said, "Why don't we just tie him up for a chunk of years? He got the job last year, and you give him a three-year deal and see how it goes, and then it's like, O.K., home run. Let's lock up the home run." He added that the deal was completed two days ago.
The Tonight Show has consistently been No. 1 in the ratings for its time slot. Its segments have been popular online, in the 18 months since Fallon took over for Jay Leno. However, next month, he will have a strong competition from Stephen Colbert, who is taking over "The Late Show" on CBS. "It's nice to say Jimmy's the guy four weeks before Colbert enters the fray", Greenblatt said.
On Monday, Colbert praised Fallon's "Tonight Show" as an honest show. He said he has no interest to participate in the feuds between hosts that had been part of late-night comedy world for years. Jay Leno who also happened to be in the same event to promote his new show, "Jay Leno's Garage" on CNBC, expressed his support and loyalty to his successor, Fallon, yet has kind words as well for Colbert saying he was "terrific".
Greenblatt remains positive when asked how the "Tonight Show" would fare by Colbert's appearance. "The good news is Colbert does something very different from what Jimmy Fallon does. Jimmy's the variety show as opposed to Colbert, which will be the more talky, maybe more political, more satire", he answered.
