Mike DiCenzo, one of the trio of producers overseeing “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” announced his departure from the NBC late-night series on Monday.
“Today is my last day at the ‘Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.’ It is also the exact 10-year anniversary of my first day at Late Night. What a dream decade at my dream job,” said DiCenzo on Twitter, at the beginning of the lengthy thread on Monday.
Today is my last day at the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. It is also the exact 10-year anniversary of my first day at Late Night. What a dream decade at my dream job. (Yeah, this is gonna be a thread).
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
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DiCenzo was part of a team of three producers who led “Tonight Show,” following the departure of former showrunner Josh Lieb in 2016. DiCenzo ran the show creative with Gerard Bradford, while Katie Hockmeyer had oversight of production.
“I’m planning to take the rest of the year off to take a breath and mentally decompress from a decade in late-night,” DiCenzo continued. “And then, who knows? Maybe a new show. Maybe moving to the woods and writing poetry. Maybe I’ll write a Pixar movie about lost luggage trying to find its way home.”
According to Deadline, former “Today” executive producer Jim Bell is being eyed to take over as showrunner. Bell has been president of NBC Olympics production & programming since 2017. NBC declined to comment, but an insider with knowledge of production told TheWrap that Bradford and Hockmeyer will remain in their current roles.
If Bell were to take over, he wouldn’t be the only executive to make the jump from morning to late-night. Over on CBS, “Late Show” executive producer Chris Licht used to run his network’s morning show, “CBS This Morning.”
Leaving this show, this staff, and crew, and Jimmy – it's one of the toughest decisions I've ever made, and one I've been grappling with this year. Ultimately, I just felt it was time. And thankfully, Jimmy couldn't have been more supportive or understanding.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
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I'm planning to take the rest of the year off to take a breath and mentally decompress from a decade in late-night. And then, who knows? Maybe a new show. Maybe moving to the woods and writing poetry. Maybe I'll write a Pixar movie about lost luggage trying to find its way home.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
For now, I am going to savor my last day at the show that I've poured my heart and soul into for 10 years. Everyone on the #FallonTonight staff and crew are geniuses in their fields. But more than that, they're good people. And that's what makes the show so special.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
Probably 90% of the people who I love in this world work for this show, or have worked for it in the past. Some were already my friends and I brought them on. Many I met here and we became friends for life.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
The halls of Studio 6B are bursting with kindness, joy, support, and love. I couldn't have asked for a better home. These people are my family.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
And as for @jimmyfallon, what can I say? You're like a brother to me. You gave me a shot 10 years ago, and I hope I made you proud. Having you as a muse is a writers' dream. I could think of an idea like "Neil Young sings the Fresh Prince theme," and you turn it into art.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
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Or I could say, "Let's reunite the cast of Saved By The Bell," and even though it took us 6 years, we did it. Writing and producing that bit was easily the best day of my life. And it wouldn't have happened without you.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
You've been so wonderful to my family, especially my grandma. Not many people can say their grandma has been featured on the Tonight Show. Man, she loves you. I guess I do too. pic.twitter.com/nhi4matQsu
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
Thank you for always trusting my ideas, thank you for being the only performer in the world that could bring them to life, thank you for 10 crazy, amazing, magical, anything-you-want-is-possible years.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
Thank you @jimmyfallon, for making my dreams come true.
— Mike DiCenzo (@mikedicenzo) October 22, 2018
