Jimmy Fallon Debuts As Host On The Tonight Show.


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Okay – I have to admit. This news is very bittersweet for me.

I was and still am a huge Jay Leno fan and, in a perfect world, I wish there were two Tonight shows. I just was not ready to give up Jay Leno on The Tonight Show and neither, I suspect, was Jay Leno.

However, if anyone is ready to seize the reins and win the hearts of America, I believe that Jimmy Fallon is the perfect successor to Jay.

Like Jay, he seems like a team player, embedded with a deeply refined work ethic. I can sense this and I think everyone associated with both performers will agree wholeheartedly.

I just finished reading Bill Carter’s The War For Late Night. It was a fascinating and extensive read; I came away realizing why Conan O’Brien was the absolute wrong choice back in 2009 and, thinking further back, why Jay Leno won The Tonight Show chair from David Letterman after Johnny Carson retired.

The Tonight Show is more than a dream job – it is a responsibility and a privilege. An institution that was established 60 years ago and deserves respect and ongoing commitment from everyone, but especially, the host.

Jay learned early on the importance of working with ease and transparency with the affiliates, the producers and the writers and to display flexibility and resilience during turbulent times.

During the past few days, the promos for Jimmy Fallon’s debut have been fast and fierce and this is quite normal of course.

However, what has impressed me the most are the televised ads with Jimmy interacting with the NBC affiliates – picking up where Jay left off. Those affiliates are key and you need them on your side.

Jimmy watched and learned from Jay and I suspect he will work tremendously hard to embrace a wide demographic. But, he will do so by being Jimmy and work at establishing his own identity.

I wish him well. I really do. He deserves a shot at this but his longevity will be determined by how far he will go and how hard he will work to keep The Tonight Show in the number one position.

And what about Jay? CNN? Possibly. Fox? Less possibly. Whatever he decides to do, he has legions of fans ready to embrace him.

But, for now, all eyes will be on Jimmy Fallon. He is starting out strong with a great guest lineup this first week which includes First Lady Michelle Obama, U2, Jerry Seinfeld, Will Smith among others.

This week, because of the Olympic coverage, The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon will air at 12 Midnight on NBC and then return to its regular time at 11:35 PM the following week.

How do you feel about the JayJimmy transition?

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici

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