Jim Bell in Talks to Lead NBC’s ‘Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon’
Former “Today” executive producer currently heads the network’s Olympics coverage
Tim Baysinger | October 23, 2018 @ 2:52 PM
Last Updated: October 23, 2018 @ 2:56 PM
Getty Images/NBC
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” may soon have a new leader.
Jim Bell, who currently helms the network’s Olympics coverage, is in talks to lead the “Tonight Show,” multiple insiders told TheWrap.
Bell, who also previously ran “Today” as an executive producer, would take over as showrunner for the NBC late night franchise, which had been run by a trio of executives for the past two years. Bell has been president of NBC Olympics production & programming since 2017. Bell would still remain involved with the network’s Olympics coverage, which has the 2020 Summer Games from Tokyo up next.
On Monday, Mike DiCenzo, one of the trio of producers overseeing the show, announced his departure after a decade in late night television. DiCenzo’s departure had been long in the works. Following the departure of former showrunner Josh Lieb in 2016, DiCenzo ran the show’s creative team with Gerard Bradford, while Katie Hockmeyer had oversight of production.
Bradford and Hockmeyer will remain in their current roles.
If Bell were takes over, he wouldn’t be the only executive to make the jump from morning to late-night.
Over on CBS, “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” executive producer Chris Licht used to run his network’s morning show, “CBS This Morning.”
Though Bell has news chops from his “Today” tenure, Fallon’s “Tonight Show” will not add a more political slant to the show, a path which has led to success for Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel.
Jimmy Fallon's 9 Most Memorable 'Classroom Instruments' Moments, From Carly Rae Jepsen to the Backstreet Boys (Videos)
Carly Rae Jepsen was featured in the first "Classroom Instruments" segment on June 8, 2012. At the time, the segment was presented as an opportunity for The Roots to showcase their musicianship by playing a stripped-down rendition of the Canadian pop star's hit single "Call Me Maybe."
This is another great take on an instant classic. Maybe it's best that Jimmy never tried to hit Adele's high notes in this one.
The Muppets piled into Jimmy Fallon's green room for the most adorable "Classroom Instruments" yet. Singing the "Sesame Street" theme was one of the segment's most memorable moments.
Metallica are the oldest group of rockers who have ever piled into the show's green room. Keep an eye on The Roots guitarist Captain Kirk Douglas doing overtime as he hammers away chords on his tiny ukulele.
This didn't go as viral as the original version of The Lonely Island's "I'm on a Boat," but this version gets points just for everyone's sailor outfits.
How do you do "All About That Bass" with no actual bass? Somehow Jimmy and Meghan Trainor still made this work.
What made this version of "Bad and Boujee" so different, besides them performing with keyboards, scissors and coffee pots, is that Migos, Fallon and The Roots dressed like characters from "Office Space." That alone makes this worth watching.
Is that Natalie Portman singing along with Jimmy and Sia? You gotta love Sia's monochromatic look that "The Tonight Show" cast went the extra mile to emulate.
For the most recent "Classroom Instruments," Jimmy Fallon performed with the Backstreet Boys for this version of "I Want It That Way."
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“The Tonight Show’s” cutest segment has attracted Adele, the Muppets and Metallica
Carly Rae Jepsen was featured in the first "Classroom Instruments" segment on June 8, 2012. At the time, the segment was presented as an opportunity for The Roots to showcase their musicianship by playing a stripped-down rendition of the Canadian pop star's hit single "Call Me Maybe."
