• by Wayne Friedman , July 31, 2007

Jimmy Fallon could be taking over Conan O'Brien's NBC late-night period in 2009, according to published reports.

With O'Brien looking to move up to host "The Tonight Show"--which will be vacated by Jay Leno in 2009--NBC has said that Fallon, formerly of "Saturday Night Live," is high on its list to replace O'Brien on the "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" show, according to a story in the trade publication Broadcasting & Cable.

NBC wants to make an announcement of the Fallon hire at next year's upfront advertising presentations in May.

The musical chairs could be contingent on some major decisions still to be made. NBC could reverse its decision to replace Leno, which means paying some $45 million in penalty fees to O'Brien.

Right now, NBC executives have stated their desire to keep Leno in some capacity--perhaps with a new show in prime time, but not in his current spot. If NBC doesn't re-up Leno, speculation suggests that he could move to ABC.

NBC is considering the idea of moving "The Tonight Show" back to New York--where it would compete head-on with CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman." "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" is already based in New York.