NBC Eyes Fallon to Replace Conan O'Brien

By Ben Grossman -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/22/2007 8:11:00 AM

Saturday Night Live alum Jimmy Fallon could be heading back to late night on NBC, but this time as Conan O’Brien’s replacement.

According to multiple sources, Fallon is close to a new overall developmental deal with NBC, and those sources say one possibility under consideration as part of the agreement could see the network developing Fallon as a 12:30 a.m. replacement if and when incumbent Conan O’Brien replaces Jay Leno on The Tonight Show in 2009.

While the network announced O’Brien as Leno’s replacement, it has yet to name O’Brien’s successor. While 1:30 a.m. host Carson Daly recently told B&C he is interested in the job, he also said he was yet to talk to the network about the 12:30 opening, perhaps signaling the network's intentions.

However, NBC executives have said any decision on 12:30 is not expected in the immediate future.

NBC executives would not discuss details regarding Fallon, but did acknowledge the negotiations for a holding deal with the actor.

The talks are the latest in the pre-2009 dealings that have all the networks jockeying for late night position if and when O'Brien takes over The Tonight Show. As first reported in B&C , ABC is close to a new contract with Jimmy Kimmel to keep him beyond 2009.

Fallon, 32, first joined the cast of SNL as a featured regular in 1988 and went on to co-host the popular "Weekend Update" segment. He also embarked on a film career that has seen his appear in movies such as Taxi and Fever Pitch, and he is currently slated to star in an upcoming film version of I Dream of Jeannie.

He also served as a guest host for David Letterman’s Late Show on CBS in 2003.