As Jimmy Fallon embarks on his tenth season as the host of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” he reflects on the instrumental role that Lorne Michaels, the creator of “Saturday Night Live,” played in revitalizing his career at NBC over a decade ago. This article delves into the intricate details of how Michaels became the linchpin in Fallon’s career trajectory, especially at a time when NBC had reservations about him.
Jimmy Fallon commenced his television career in 1998 as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” After a six-year stint, he opted to leave the show to concentrate on his acting career, thereby forgoing the opportunity to host a late-night talk show.
In 2009, Lorne Michaels envisioned Fallon as the successor to Conan O’Brien for the host of “Late Night” on NBC. However, Fallon revealed in a recent episode of his “Strike Force Five” podcast, featuring co-hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver, that NBC was initially reluctant to hire him. Michaels candidly informed Fallon that he was not even on NBC’s list of potential hosts. Fallon’s career had hit a slump following the commercial failure of two movies, which led to NBC’s waning interest in him. Michaels, however, was resolute in his support for Fallon. He persuaded the network executives to reconsider their stance, stating, “Either you do this with Jimmy or I’m not involved.”
Fallon’s career had suffered due to the underperformance of two films. The first was the 2004 action-comedy “Taxi,” co-starring Queen Latifah, Gisele Bündchen, Jennifer Esposito, and Ann-Margret. The second was the 2005 romantic comedy “Fever Pitch,” featuring Drew Barrymore. Both films failed to make a significant impact at the box office, contributing to NBC’s initial reluctance to hire him.
Fallon’s wife, Nancy Juvonen, whom he married in 2007, was another pivotal figure who encouraged him to accept the “Late Night” hosting gig. She emphasized the significance of the role, pointing out that only a few individuals, including David Letterman and Conan O’Brien, had ever held such a position.
The Journey from Late Night to The Tonight Show
Michaels’ advocacy eventually led to Fallon’s appointment as the host of “Late Night,” a role he held from March 2009 to February 2014. This paved the way for his current position as the host of “The Tonight Show.”
Interestingly, Michaels had initially proposed the idea of hosting a talk show to Fallon back in 2004 when he was departing from SNL. At that time, Fallon was not keen on the idea but told Michaels to revisit the proposal in six years.
Fallon is now gearing up for the new season of “The Tonight Show,” which is set to premiere on October 2, marking his fifteenth consecutive year of hosting shows on NBC.
Lorne Michaels’ unwavering support and advocacy were instrumental in reshaping Jimmy Fallon’s career at NBC, especially at a time when the network had reservations about him. Michaels’ influence, coupled with Fallon’s own resilience and the encouragement from his spouse, contributed to his successful career transition from a struggling actor to a late-night talk show host. This narrative serves as a compelling testament to the power of mentorship, advocacy, and personal resilience in the entertainment industry.
