The hunt for a new "Late Night" host has been on since it was confirmed that Jimmy Fallon's moving on up to "The Tonight Show" and now, there are some new names in the running. According to TV Guide, "Watch What Happens Live" host Andy Cohen and "America's Got Talent" host Nick Cannon are reportedly the alternatives should "Saturday Night Live" co-head writer Seth Meyers not pan out as the new "Late Night" host.
Meyers has been the frontrunner for the "Late Night" hosting gig since Fallon's deal was first rumored, as the New York Post first reported. "It will be Seth unless something goes awry," an unnamed source told The Hollywood Reporter in early April. Another insider told TV Guide that Meyers "is such a smart guy and knows he'll need to distinguish his show from the others ... His writing and improv background are hugely important. He's the most ready to host a show, particularly with this relatively short timeline."
The "Weekend Update" host certainly seems to fit the bill: He would be the third "Late Night" host in a row (behind Fallon and Conan O'Brien) to come from "SNL." Plus, because Lorne Michaels produces both shows, the transition would be pretty seamless.
With both "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night" set in New York in 2014, TV Guide reports, "'Late Night' is expected to de-emphasize multiple celebrity guests in order to prevent booking wars with its 'Tonight Show' sibling." According to the website, that could translate to Meyers adapting "Weekend Update" into a nightly version for "Late Night," only with more actual politicians, athletes and newsmakers and fewer spoofs of them. (Sorry, Nasim Pedrad.)
"Late Night" could also see a smaller set without a band in order to cut costs, according to TV Guide.
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" airs weekdays at 12:35 ET on NBC.
