Jimmy Fallon: 'It Means So Much' to Have Jay Leno's Support

Now that the rumors as to who might be hosting NBC's TONIGHT SHOW in 2014 have been put to rest, new host Jimmy Fallon has reached out to the old, Jay Leno.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, at a taping of LATE NIGHT today, Fallon said, "I want to thank everyone here at Late Night, the staff, the crew and, of course, The Roots...I have to say thanks to Jay Leno for being so gracious. It means so much to me to have his support. I just want to thank the fans for staying up to 12:35 a.m. and watching us."

Fallon's new competition, Jimmy Kimmel, reached out to the new TONIGHT host this afternoon via Twitter, posting:

"Congratulations to my dear, sweet [Jimmy Fallon]," Kimmel Tweeted. "[A] formidable rival and an incredible lover."

Leno, longtime host of NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," announced today that he will wrap up what will be 22 years of headlining the iconic late-night show in Spring 2014. NBC also announced today that Fallon will transition into new hosting duties on "The Tonight Show" franchise after Leno concludes his successful run.

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.]"

As part of the transition, "The Tonight Show" will be returning to its original home in 30 Rock in New York and will be executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Lorne Michaels ("Saturday Night Live," "30 Rock").

Programming plans for the 12:35 a.m. (ET) time period currently are in development and will be announced soon.

Emmy and Grammy Award winner, Fallon began his TV career with "Saturday Night Live" in 1998, where he quickly became an audience favorite. Known for his spot-on impressions, innovative musical and comedy sketches and his stint as co-anchor of "Weekend Update" with Tina Fey, Fallon spent six successful years on the show. In March 2009, Fallon returned to NBC and took over the late- night legacy with "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." The show has continued to garner attention for its viral videos, audience games, A-list guests, and Fallon's choice of critically acclaimed house-band, The Roots.

In just four years on air, Fallon and the "Late Night" team have already begun collecting awards. Most recently, Fallon was honored with his second consecutive People's Choice Award for Favorite Late Night Host (2012 and 2013) and the show received the 2012 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Talk Show. "Late Night" was celebrated with a 2012 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Variety Series and earned three Emmy nominations in 2011, including the show's first nominations in the series and writing categories. The year prior, Fallon earned an Emmy for the show's website in the Interactive Media category and received the "Webby Person of the Year" Award in 2009. Fallon received a 2013 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album after releasing "Blow Your Pants Off" in 2012, a musical comedy album featuring song parodies written and performed on "Late Night."

Photo by: Mark Seliger/NBC

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