NBC Confirms Jay Leno To 'Retire' Next Spring

UPDATE 04/032013 1:30p: On Wednesday, Jay Leno confirmed the rampant reports that he's once again departing "The Tonight Show," presumably for good this time. He'll wrap up his 22-year run as host in spring 2014, with Jimmy Fallon officially signing on as his replacement.

Earlier Posting....

Jimmy Fallon's march to inherit The Tonight Show is nearly complete. The Late Night host has closed a new deal with NBC that will pave the way for him to replace Jay Leno in the 11:35 p.m. slot, a well-placed source says.

It is understood the deal will include that he will succeed Jay Leno as host of the “Tonight” show at some point.

The Hollywood Reporter says the timing and nature of the Fallon announcement is said to be in flux, with some at NBC said to believe that the network should wait to confirm the Tonight transition until it can close a deal with Fallon's replacement.

The strong frontrunner for that 12:35 a.m. job is said to be Saturday Night Live stalwart Seth Meyers.

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