Fallon Warms Up 'Late Night' Online

Doug Mohney — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:20:31 -0400

New NBC "Late Night" host Jimmy Fallon will break into his show this fall as a nightly 5 to 10 minute show on the Internet before taking over the evening broadcast from Conan O'Brien.

Executive producer Lorne Michaels--also Fallon's boss over at "Saturday Night Live"--wants Fallon to work out "rough spots" in presentation through website performances. The online broadcasts are likely to start in the fall, be on every night, and will likely be posted at 12:30 a.m., so people will begin to look for Fallon at that time.

Using an online medium is expected to allow Fallon more freedom to experiment and for him to clock some time to "find his own show." Michaels pointed to O'Brien's experience of assuming the "Late Night" show and having to spend time finding his own way. Unsaid was the potential for Fallon to attract online viewers/fans before he launches his broadcast show.

For more:
- New York Times reports on Fallon's "Late Night" online start

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Fallon Warms Up 'Late Night' Online