NBCNow that Jimmy Fallon has had enough time to gush about his adorable new baby girl Winnie, it's time to talk about his other baby: The Tonight Show.
The new dad and Saturday Night Live alum will replace Jay Leno, who will exit the late night NBC series in the Spring of 2014. Fallon sat down with Today's Savannah Guthrie to talk about Leno's blessings and the nerves that come along with filling those Tonight Show shoes.
"Jay Leno has just been awesome to me," Fallon said. "I've talked to him all the time since I started [at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]. Then he just called me one day and was like, ‘I think [my retirement] is coming, and I think you'll be great. ' Which was very nice and made me feel really good."
Guthrie talked to Fallon about his ability to make A-listers (like Michelle Obama and Ryan Reynolds) do some truly silly things on his show, a talent he will no doubt bring over to The Tonight Show. More than anything, Fallon just wants to live up to his predecessor.
"[Leno is] amazing. You gotta respect the guy; he's been number one for almost 30 years. It's unbelievable," Fallon said. "It's a little nerve-wracking but exciting to step into his shoes. He kept the franchise going for a long time, and I hope I make him proud."
For more Late Night talk and a Rock, Paper, Scissors, Pie competition, watch Fallon's full Today interview below.
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