Jimmy Fallon Rumored to Replace Jay Leno on Tonight's Show
JAY LENO, HOST, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO: Doctors in Canada were shocked after pulling a three-inch knife blade from the back of a 32-year-old man. The knife had been in there for three years. Imagine that. Guy had a knife in his back for three years. He must have work at NBC, too. I couldn't believe that.</s>LEMON: Jay Leno firing fresh jabs at his employer. The rumor mill is cranked up with reports about NBC possibly replacing Leno with Jimmy Fallon next year. Fallon's camp is staying very quiet these days. Rumor has it that "the Tonight Show" could even move back to New York if Fallon takes the helm. Fallon has gone a long way. He has gone a long way very fast. Comedian Dean Obeidallah is back. He is the co-host of new CNN.com weekly podcast, "the big three." And you worked with Jimmy Fallon for years on "Saturday Night Live," Dean. So, give us your take on Fallon.</s>OBEIDALLAH: Sure. I remember Jimmy vividly when he was auditioning, he was 23-years-old. That was the first time I met him, the nervous guy in the whole - right before going to 8H studio to audition for "Lauren Michaels." And the producers - I could remember him nervously holding his guitar. We talked for a minute or two. And I saw this whole trajectory of a guy who went from unknown, becoming a star on the show, now to about to take the seat of basically the king of comedy. I mean, you dream as a comedian just to be on "the Tonight Show" let alone to host of "the tonight show." So, it is great. You know what, Jimmy is a truly nice guy and unbelievably talented. And I think it will be a great fit for him. I think it's actually going to work out. I think mid America is going to like it as much as people in the cities which is a rare combination. He's like a young Johnny Carson.</s>LEMON: You can talk more about Fallon. What I don't understand, and correct me if I'm wrong, the ratings for Jay Leno are still very strong. He's number one. He beats all of them. So, why change horses in midstream if he's still doing OK?</s>OBEIDALLAH: He's number one when you see the ratings. But in advertising sales, it's gone down a lot from the last few years because it's not doing as well. He's beating Letterman. They're really concerned about the future. They're concerned a lot about Jimmy Kimmel, frankly. That's the biggest concern from</s>NBC. LEMON: I love Kimmel.</s>OBEIDALLAH: That Jimmy is going to take - Jimmy Kimmel is going to take the young people. So, it's now, you know, you can wait a few more years for Jay or do it now. And I reached out to people, I know at Jimmy Fallon's show and no one would respond to me. But, if it is true, he is going to leave. And then, guess what, they're going to need a replacement for Jimmy Fallon's show.</s>LEMON: Yes. Who is that going to be?</s>OBEIDALLAH: Bingo!</s>LEMON: Seth Myers, may be.</s>OBEIDALLAH: No, I'm ready. Don, I'm ready.</s>LEMON: No, no, seriously. Who's that going to be? Seth Myers.</s>OBEIDALLAH: I'll go to network. You're a basic cable guy. I think Seth Myers. From everything I read because under Lauren Michaels, per view and Seth's had a great job. I worked with Seth for years. There's another guy I met who was unknown and became very famous. Great writer. I think he would do an excellent job. He's a different personality than Jimmy. Jimmy's playful like a little puppy dog. So much enthusiasm. It's contagious. Seth is a little bit more serious but fabulous writer.</s>LEMON: We haven't seen a woman in there since Joan Rivers. And I think Tina Fey would be terrific. And you know, I love Joan Rivers. And I would like to see her come back.</s>OBEIDALLAH: I don't think, but I think Tina would be great or Amy Poehler. But, I'm not sure if they would it this time in her life. They have kids and they're doing movies and stuff. So, it's different.</s>LEMON: I just moved you along because, I mean, come on, it's never going to happen. You're never going to do that.</s>OBEIDALLAH: Don, you never know. I mean, first, I've got a podcast now on CNN. That's step one. Next thing, you tube. After that, you know, basic some public access.</s>LEMON: Don't be downing basic cable if you're working for a basic cable company. That's your gate. Chill out.</s>OBEIDALLAH: I'm not making - this is joke. This is comedy. This is comedy, Don.</s>LEMON: Coming up -- thank you, Dean.</s>OBEIDALLAH: Good bye, Don.</s>LEMON: Coming up.</s>LEMON: What could possibly make me do this on national TV?