"The Tonight Show" to Return to NYC

by Jeff Coltin | 04/03/2013 | 5:28pm

"The Tonight Show" to Return to NYC

Fallon to replace Leno in city that never sleeps

NBC's "The Tonight Show" hasn't been filmed in New York City since 1972, When Johnny Carson was hosting and John Wayne was a guest.  But the network confirms the long-running late-night talk show will be returning to the Big Apple next year.

They're also replacing long-time host Jay Leno with New York's own Jimmy Fallon, who grew up in the Hudson Valley. 

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg released a statement praising the city's TV and film industry.  He said, "The Tonight Show’ will bring even more jobs and economic activity to our city – and we couldn’t be happier that one of New York’s own is bringing the show back to where it started – and where it belongs.”

Governor Cuomo also released a statement welcoming home "The Tonight Show."  He said the announcement "builds on the recent surge of television and film production happening here in New York that has restored our state as a global film production capital and driven the creation of new jobs and business growth throughout the state."

Some point to Albany for helping the show return. The state budget released last week includes a tax credit for talk or variety programs filming outside the state that relocate to New York.

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