The big late night rumor is now a fact: The Tonight Show is making its way back to New York. TV Newser reports that Jimmy Fallon is going to take over for Jay Leno next year, and NBC will be letting everyone know with special promotions during the 2014 Olympic games.

As part of that change, the Tonight Show is moving from California to here. A new studio in 30 Rock is currently being built for Fallon, in the same space that Tonight Show host Steve Allen once used.

Jimmy Kimmel, Fallon’s soon-to-be competitor in the 11:35 pm slot, saluted Fallon. “Congratulations to my dear, sweet @jimmyfallon – a formidable rival and an incredible lover,” tweeted Kimmel. Hahaha! Two guys loving each other is so silly and weird!

For more on this story, head over to TVNewser.

The Tonight Show has been an NBC staple since 1954. For the first 18 years of its existence, Tonight was recorded in Rockefeller Center beginning with original host Steve Allen. In 1972, Johnny Carson, already a decade on the job, brought the Tonight Show to Burbank, California, and with it all the stars Hollywood could offer.

Now a pair of bold moves are reportedly set for the once vital franchise that would bring the show “home.”

There have been rumors for weeks, if not months, regarding current Tonight host Jay Leno‘s status. The New York Times‘ Bill Carter says Late Night host Jimmy Fallon is expected to get the coveted promotion by the fall of 2014. But Carter also reports Fallon will take the Tonight Show back to New York. Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is broadcast from 30 Rock.

The Times quotes a senior executive saying, “There is no way on earth that this is not going to happen.”

Photo credit: treehugger.com

Jimmy Fallon is about to make the career leap from 30 Rock to the Kodak Theater. No, Fallon is not leaving his Late Night program on NBC, or even taking it on the road to Los Angeles.

Fallon, though, is in talks to host the coveted Academy Awards. The Los Angeles Times reports Fallon would bring his longtime boss, Lorne Michaels, as producer. Fallon first worked for Michaels on Saturday Night Live from 1998 to 2004.

But there is a wrinkle to this arrangement.

ABC, which broadcasts the Oscars, is critical of an NBC host emceeing one of television’s biggest nights of the year. Disney (owner of ABC) chief executive Bob Iger is apparently not liking the idea of giving such an important venue to Fallon, who competes nightly with ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel.

There is a precedent, however. Johnny Carson, while at the height of his Tonight Show dominion, helmed five Oscar presentations on ABC.

Billy Crystal, recognized by many as the best all-time Oscar host, had a return engagement in 2012, his first time since 2004, but ninth overall.

The Oscars are set for February 24, 2013.

Photo credit: laughstub.com

And so at 11:35 last night, New York’s all-time great anchor team ceased to exist. “Chuck and Sue” became a test pattern of TV history.

Sue Simmons concluded a 32-year run at WNBC, sitting next to her “TV husband” Chuck Scarborough for a final time.

It was a moment inevitable for three months, since the New York Post broke the story that Simmons would not be offered a new contract.

In analyzing the Simmons farewell, praise is given to the station for devoting the closing 15 minutes to everything Sue.

Sprinkled in before commercial breaks, earlier in the newscast, were taped tributes from late night host Jimmy Fallon, who pointed out that his show originates from WNBC’s former home– studio 6B. In front his studio audience, Fallon showed a miniature version of a vintage Chuck and Sue photo displayed on the wall outside the studio.

Jay Leno also had brief, kind words for his NBC Universal colleague 3,000 miles away.

Back live at 30 Rock, the most touching moment of the night went to sports anchor Bruce Beck, who switched his schedule to work the special occasion, saying, “Thirty-two years, 32 roses. I love you dear,” as he handed her the bouquet and they shared a kiss.

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Honorees Matt Lauer and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with Time managing editor Rick Stengel.

They come from all walks of life. They are actors, musicians, world leaders, and sports figures–and that just scratches the surface. Time Magazine held its annual 100 Most Influential People in the World gala last night at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle.

While more than half of the honorees were unable to attend, there was still no shortage of stars lighting the red carpet.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was on the guest list, and although she failed to take the stroll, a Homeland Security officer complete with a sniffing dog canvassed the confines.

Pres. Barack Obama was chosen in the magazine’s Leaders category, along with the presumptive Republican nominee, Mitt Rommey. Both were, not surprisingly, no shows. Romney was winning primaries in the Northeast, while Obama was appearing on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” from North Carolina.

NBC’s Matt Lauer was listed among a group of Icons. Lauer recently signed a contract extension with the Today show at a reported $25 million per year.

FishbowlNY chatted with “Today” show third hour co-host Savannah Guthrie who praised her friend and colleague.

More video clips from the red carpet after the jump…

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There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the Oscars. Some aren’t too happy with the nominations. What else is new?

For those interested in honors to the writers behind various media productions, the 2012 Writers Guild Awards is approaching.

This year’s New York ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at B.B. King Blues Club. Check out the nominees.

Rachel Dratch of Saturday Night Live fame, has been tapped to host. A number of celebrities and renowned writers will serve as presenters including: Bored to Death creator Jonathan Ames; Late Night host Jimmy Fallon; Precious screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher; 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft; and SNL head writer Seth Meyers.

The award ceremony will also be held simultaneously at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

In the upcoming issue of Fortune, Conan O’Brien talks about his departure from NBC (because he hasn’t talked about it enough – sorry, feuding millionaires don’t interest FishbowlNY) and how he’s moved from TV to being a multimedia brand.

In the piece by Douglas Alden Warshaw, O’Brien says that when he initially signed up for Twitter, NBC wasn’t happy, and he thought that was fantastic news. “Tell them I would be thrilled if they shut down my Twitter account,” he recalled saying. “I’d love it if that got out. You think PR’s been bad up till now? Wait till you take away my Twitter account.”

O’Brien also explains how he decided to start a second company, called Team Coco, to help spread his influence online. TBS funds part of the expenses and shares any profits received. The company, consisting of eight people, attempts to get O’Brien’s content to as many people as possible. O’Brien says this is the way TV shows can be successful:

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The Ad Council held its 57^th Annual Public Service Award Dinner last night at the Waldorf-Astoria.

Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of the Comcast Corporation, was given the distinguished honor this year.

Jimmy Fallon, fresh off taping his Late Night show, and NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, following his NBC Nightly News duties, were co-emcees for the evening’s gala event, the largest Ad Council fundraiser each year.

Of course, the NBC connection is no accident.

In December 2009, Comcast acquired 51 percent of NBC Universal from General Electric, which maintains minority ownership at 49 percent.   

Among the other speakers during the ceremony: 

• Tim Armstrong, chairman and CEO of AOL, and chair of the Ad Council’s Board of Directors
• Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council
• Andrew Robertson, president and CEO, BBDO Worldwide

More than 1,200 prominent members of the media, advertising, and corporate walks of life were on hand for the dinner, which raised $2.8 million for the Ad Council.

Photo: Honoree Roberts (left) with Fallon

Since last week, NBC‘s plans to shuffle its late night line-up has relied on Conan O’Brien, the current host of the “Tonight Show.” If he agreed to quietly accept the move — basically a demotion — from 11:35 p.m. to 12:05 p.m., then NBC could seemingly keep all its late night hosts, Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon and O’Brien.

But he wasn’t going to go so quietly. On his show, O’Brien has been tough on the network in the last few days, so it came as no surprise when he issued a statement today stating he did not intend to move to 12:05 a.m. That means NBC can either agree to keep the “Tonight Show” with O’Brien as host at 11:35 p.m., or see him walk away from the network. However, O’Brien says he has no offer from another network, yet:

“There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.”

O’Brien has given NBC an ultimatum: uphold the contract the net offered him six years ago and keep him as host of the “Tonight Show,” or bring Leno back to his old slot. Bringing Leno back isn’t a sure-thing ratings wise. Either way, NBC is taking a gamble. So which host does the network want to keep the most, and which one will they kick to the curb? If we were O’Brien, we’d start getting those other offers fleshed out.

Conan’s full statement, after the jump

Conan O’Brien Says He Won’s Host ‘Tonight Show’ Following Leno –New York Times

Previously: Conan Discusses His Options

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Yesterday, when we met Kathie Lee Gifford on the “Today” show’s fourth hour, she informed us she wasn’t shaking hands because of the threat of swine flu. Apparently, this rule only pertains to “Today” show guests because the outspoken talk show anchor had no trouble showing Jimmy Fallon some love.

Last night, Gifford appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and not only shook the host’s hand but also hugged and kissed him.

“You were going for the double high five, he went in for the kiss,” Gifford’s co-host Hoda Kotb said this morning as the women rehashed the appearance on the “Today” show.

“Well he hasn’t heard about our ‘heinie’ that’s why,” Gifford said, referring to the “heinie bumping” she told us about yesterday.

Well, we see how it is Kathie Lee.

Video after the jump

Related: What It’s Like To Go On The “Today” Show

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