Howard Stern to Replace Jimmy Fallon on LATE NIGHT?

As BWW TV previously reported, it looks as if NBC is prepping Jimmy Fallon to take over Jay Leno's role of host of THE TONIGHT SHOW - which leaves the question: who will replace Fallon?

According to The New York Post, NBC is "grooming" radio show host and AMERICA'S GOT TALENT judge Howard Stern to be Fallon's successor on LATE NIGHT.

Sure, he's a little rough around the edges, but as The Post points out, Stern has undoubtedly proven on TALENT "that he can act like a grown-up and play well with others, if the money's right."

Though NBC has been trying to shed Leno for years, it appears as if this season may indeed be his last.

Two "high-level industry sources" have told The Hollywood Reporter that the peacock network will be making an official announcement in May that the 2013-14 television season will be the last for Leno. According to the report, Jimmy Fallon will take over as host of THE TONIGHT SHOW in the 11:35 p.m. slot beginning with "a soft launch during the summer of 2014 before a formal fall kickoff."

Though Leno remains competitve in the ratings, Jimmy Kimmel has been beating him in the all-important 18-49 demographic. "Kimmel has done extremely well," says a network source, adding, "Jay wins overall, but on any given night, it's neck-and-neck in 18-49. I understand where they might have fear and also feel that they own the solution [in Fallon.]"

Stern helped to transform American radio and put Syndicated satellite radio on the map on SiriusXM. As the outspoken, unedited and headline-grabbing host of "The Howard Stern Show" radio program, Stern was nationally Syndicated from 1986 to 2005 and became a pop-culture icon with a massive loyal fan base. Since 1987, he has hosted numerous television shows, record-breaking Pay-Per-View events and home video releases. He also embarked on a five-month political campaign for governor of New York in 1994.

His two books, "Private Parts" (1993) and "Miss America" (1995), spent 20 and 16 weeks, respectively, on The New York Times bestseller list. The first book became a national sensation and was adapted into the feature film "Private Parts" (1997), a biographical comedy film that starrEd Stern and his radio show staff -- and was a box-office success. Additionally, Stern performed on the film's soundtrack which topped the Billboard 200 charT. Stern currently broadcasts his show "Howard 100" on the SiriusXM satellite radio station.

Photo by RD / Rob Kim / Retna Digital

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