NBC is paying Jay Leno a whopping $15 million to step down as host of The Tonight Show, months before his contract ends.

The network wants Leno to step down as host months before his contract expires in September 2014, making way for Jimmy Fallon to step in.

The payout is part of Leno’s deal to leave the show, which he has hosted for 22 years. The New York Daily News reports that the payoff, which is equal to Leno’s annual salary, doesn’t compare to the money he makes doing standup in Las Vegas (I had no idea he did this?).

As the shake-up was confirmed after weeks of speculation, Leno told Fallon he was ‘counting on’ him to keep network ratings high.

In his opening monologue of Wednesday’s show Leno said: ‘I just have one request of Jimmy. We’ve all fought, kicked and scratched to get this network up to fifth place, okay?

‘Now we have to keep it there. Jimmy don’t let it slip into sixth. We’re counting on you.’

The replacement move, which had been anticipated for weeks, was announced yesterday and will officially take place following the network’s broadcast of the Winter Olympics.

Fallon will more than double his multi-million dollar salary when he takes over from outgoing host Jay Leno next year on the top-rated NBC show.

Industry insiders predict that Fallon will see the $5million he gets for fronting ‘The Late Show’ boosted to $12 million when he goes head-to-head with CBS’ David Letterman and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel in February.

Although Fallon’s pay packet will be three million less than the $15million Leno takes home, it still represents a massive show of faith in Fallon, who has been working late night television for less than five years.

I think this is really good news for NBC… I think the shakeup was desperately needed!

FYI: If Jay Leno made anywhere from $10 – $15 million a year – and he’s hosted for 22 years….. He’s easily made over $200,000,000 in his run as host of The Tonight Show. That’s insanity.

Pictured is very pregnant Kim Kardashian heading to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She has around 4 months left before she gives birth.

She sat down with Jay Leno Thursday to discuss baby names, cravings and her fear of telling her younger sister Khloe she was expecting a baby with boyfriend rapper Kanye West.

“We have a list, and some of them are K names some of them aren’t,” she said. “[North] is not on our list. But you know what name I do like — but it probably won’t be on [our list], because it kinda goes with North — I like Easton. Easton West. I think that’s cute.”

Unlike her older sister Kourtney Kardashian, the first-time mom-to-be isn’t sure if she’ll allow E! cameras to capture her baby’s birth for an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

“I don’t even think I’ll have a camcorder. I don’t even know if I would want that as a memory,” she admitted. “Although, there’s always a chance. I don’t know. I might change my mind.”

When Kim first learned she was pregnant, she was hesitant to tell her younger sister, Khloe Kardashian-Odom, who has been struggling to start a family of her own for years.

“I had Kourtney come with me to tell Khloe because I was a little nervous, because I know she really really really wants a baby. So I felt like I’m gonna need some moral support to tell her. And she was so happy!” Kim recalled. “But I was really nervous to tell her. And she kind of got mad that I was nervous — she thought it was ridiculous.”

The 32-year-old Kourtney & Kim Take Miami star also addressed critics who have been mocking her new pregnancy curves. (One internet meme even likened one maternity look to a killer whale.)

“I think it’s a little bully-ish to call a pregnant woman fat. I mean, what do you expect? I hope I gain weight. I’m a little heavy,” Kim said. “There’s just more to love right now. I have the rest of my life to be skinny and to lose weight and I’m not really worrying about it. If I have a craving I’ll go for it.”

I agree with her. If there is anytime to eat and not worry about it, then this is it! She will bounce back into shape in no time like all the other TV stars.

She just makes me nervous walking in those high heels.

Source Photos: Fame/Flynet

Don’t worry, Leno fans! (or worry, Leno enemies!) Jay Leno won’t be going ANYWHERE until his contract runs out!

Though Leno seems to be bashing NBC left and right, the host plans to stay and continue with his duties until the end of the 2014 season.

A source spilled via PerezHilton:

“NBC would probably love it if Jay tried to get out of early because he’s clearly bitter, but Jay wants to stay to the end, and keep peeving everyone at the network off.”

Still, that’s not making anyone feel any better. Many Leno employees so concerned about Jay’s remarks that they’re in the market for other work!

The source continued:

“The environment is bad, people are nervous. Nobody wants to leave because The Tonight Show is such a great gig… But people are worried, to say the least.”

I would be, too.  TEAM CONAN!

Photo: FameFlynet

According to the New York Times, NBC is planning on replacing 62-year-old Jay Leno with Jimmy Fallon as host of The Tonight Show. While it’s not a done deal yet, sources tell the paper that the switch is likely to happen by the fall of 2014, “at the latest.”

Jimmy will bring the show back to New York City, where it filmed from 1954 to 1972. Johnny Carson was the host to bring the Tonight Show to Burbank in the 70′s in order to be closer to Hollywood stars. According to insiders, NBC has already begun working on a new studio in Rockefeller Plaza, where Fallon, 38, got his start on Saturday Night Live.

The passing of the Tonight Show torch from Leno to Fallon would be the second such changing of the guard during Leno’s tenure. Three years ago, execs gave the show to Conan O’Brien, only to reverse their decision seven months later when O’Brien failed to attract a large-enough audience.

Ratings-wise, Leno is still a success for NBC. Though rival host Jimmy Kimmel enjoyed a couple of nights at the top when he moved to an earlier time-slot and began to compete directly with The Tonight Show and The Late Show With David Letterman, the Times reports that Leno recently regained his No. 1 ranking among total viewers.

However, there are other factors to consider besides ratings, including the comedian’s occasionally strained relationship with his NBC bosses, whom he referred to as “snakes” in a recent monologue. Leno also comes with baggage in the form of feuds with both Kimmel and Letterman, whereas Fallon has been relatively drama-free.

“I’m kind of a boring character in that book,” the Late Night host tells GQ in a new interview. “I’m not in a fight with Jay or Conan, or any of them. I don’t have that story.”

Fallon adds that he’s “in no rush” to leave his current post to replace Leno. “I mean, in the nicest way, who really cares,” he says. “In the nicest way. It would be great, sure, I guess. I’d love it, but it’s not on my mind.”

It’s certainly on everyone else’s mind. According to Late Night producer Lorne Michaels, Fallon’s takeover is just a matter of time. “I’m not allowed to say it — yet,” he tells GQ. “But I think there’s an inevitability to it. He’s the closest to Carson that I’ve seen of this generation.”

I think this could spell trouble for David Letterman, who films the Late Show from NYC. I have NEVER watched Leno, I’ve always been a Letterman person. But if I had the choice between Letterman and Fallon, I’d probably go with Fallon.

Are you excited about Jimmy coming to the Tonight Show??

Source

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan are the proud parents of their first son, Exton Elias Downey. He was born just eight weeks ago, and now we’re getting our first look at the little guy!

Robert, how already has an 18-year-old son named Indio, is out promoting his new movie ‘The Avengers’. Last night he stopped by the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and ended up showing off the first photos of his son.

Very cute!

Robert’s about to get very busy. As soon as promotions wrap up for ‘The Avengers’, the actor will suit up once again for ‘Iron Man 3′.

Last night, Lindsay Lohan stopped by The Tonight Show for a huge heart-to-heart with Jay. The two discuss her past experience in jail, family, fans, current trial, and upcoming movie!

Part 1: Lohan talks about meeting John Gotti, making a lot of mistakes and wanting to change.

Part 2: Lindsay talks about her lawyer, being sentenced to 120 days and her parents.

Part 3: Lindsay talks about her supportive fans, what she’ll be doing at 30, her love life and the paparazzi.

Will you stay up to watch it tonight?