Good night, and good luck to Jay Leno?
It looks like the J's (Jay, Jimmy and Jimmy) could be gearing up for another battle over late night television. Reports say that NBC may be getting ready to move Jay Leno out of his coveted 11:35 p.m. time slot in a move to catch up with Jimmy Kimmel's younger audience.
NBC has firmly denied the report, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, inside sources say that NBC may make a statement that the 2013-14 season could be the last for Leno's "The Tonight Show." And they may move the younger-skewing Jimmy Fallon into his spot with an informal launch in the summer of 2014 before the fall season.
While Leno still does well for the network, often winning in the late-night ratings, he falls behind in the competitive, advertiser friendly 18-49 demographic -- an area where Fallon andABC's Kimmel have more success.
"Kimmel has done extremely well," a network vet told The Hollywood Reporter. "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.]"
A rep for Leno was tight-lipped, saying, "We do not speculate on rumor." But if anyone knows Leno, it's doubtful that he will go gently into that good night. The hard-working comic, who still does regular stand-up performances in his free time, will unlikely give up his much-desired spot. Especially before CBS' David Letterman retires. The late-night rivals both have contracts through 2014.
Regardless of how the late-night wars play out in the next fall season, it will be interesting to see how things turn out for the late-night hosts. And we know one fiery redhead who will be watching with bated breath (hi, Conan).
Tell us: Are you ready to see Leno move on? Would you be in favor of watching funnyman Fallon take over the "The Tonight Show"?