Jay Leno and Tina Fey may be on many TV viewers’ wish lists as replacements for Late Show host David Letterman, but NBCUniversal chief Steve Burke is confident that neither of them would be interested in the job. Both have strong links to the NBC family, so Burke has reasons for wanting them to stay in the fold.
While meeting with reporters on Monday, Burke said that he didn’t think Fey and Leno would want to work for a rival, notes Variety. “I think Tina Fey is very happy with doing TV and film projects for us,” he said. “I could be wrong.”
That last comment may be a reference to a Fey pilot that landed at Fox, but that project is still produced by NBCU. Fey got her big break on Saturday Night Live and starred in the critically acclaimed 30 Rock.
It’s still unclear what Burke has in store for Leno’s post-Tonight Show future. The Associated Press reports that they are talking about having him host specials, but there’s no deal in place.
As for the network’s own late night landscape, Burke said that he is impressed with Jimmy Fallon’s success since taking over The Tonight Show. “He has turned out to be, I think, exactly what America is looking for,” Burke said.
Stephen Colbert and Chelsea Handler have been considered for the Late Show gig, which will be open once Letterman retires next year. Neil Patrick Harris has taken himself out of the running.