'Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon': NBC Names Jim Bell as Showrunner

Heidi Gutman/NBCUniversal

Jim Bell has joined “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” as executive in charge and showrunner, NBC announced Wednesday.

Bell, who also previously ran “Today” as an executive producer from 2005-2012, has been president of NBC Olympics production and programming since 2017.

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. Hockmeyer and Bradford will continue on in their producing roles.

Also Read: Jim Bell in Talks to Lead NBC's 'Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon'

Bell isn’t 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.

'America's Got Talent': 10 Best Golden Buzzer Performances (Videos)

Mandy Harvey The deaf singer inspired fans and the judges, and earned Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer when she performed an original song on the show in the summer of 2017.
Darci Lynne The 12-year-old ventriloquist got Mel B.'s Golden Buzzer when she sang a song with her puppet. At the beginning of her performance, she said her goal was to "keep ventriloquism alive."
Courtney Hadwin The nervous 13-year-old went on stage but quickly wowed audiences when she started singing "Hard to Handle," with many likening her to Janis Joplin. Simon Cowell's reaction was priceless, and she ended up scoring Howie Mandel's Golden Buzzer.
Dorothy Williams The 90-year-old lady treated the judges and "AGT" fans to a little dance that took many by surprise. In the end, Nick Cannon ran over the judges table to give her the Golden Buzzer.
Angelica Hale The 9-year-old Angelica Hale stunned the audiences with her own rendition of Alicia Keys' "Girl On Fire." The judges couldn't stop smiling and in the end, guest judge Chris Hardwick pressed the Golden Buzzer.
Craig Lewis Band The singing duo sang a cover of Mary J. Blige's "I'm Goin' Down," scoring the Golden Buzzer from guest judge Michael Bublé.
Light Balance One of the most epic performances to ever hit the "AGT" stage, Light Balance performed a stunning dance and light show to amazing songs -- to the point where Tyra Banks couldn't stop herself from hitting the Golden Buzzer.
Grace VanderWaal Then 12-year-old Grace VanderWaal scored the Golden Buzzer in 2016 when she wowed everyone with her ukulele and singing skills. She even performed an original song. She has since released her own EP and has performed at Madison Square Garden and various other benefit concerts.
Angel City Chorale We dare you to watch this performance and try not to get goosebumps. Olivia Munn hit the Golden Buzzer after barely getting through the act without tearing up.
Christian Guardino The 16-year-old got a standing ovation after his singing performance, and was awarded the Golden Buzzer by Howie Mandel.

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From epic light shows to singing sensations, the NBC talent show has seen some stellar performances over the years

Mandy Harvey The deaf singer inspired fans and the judges, and earned Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer when she performed an original song on the show in the summer of 2017.

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