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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Talk has Leno out, Fallon, New York in

From Wire Reports

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

NBC is finalizing its succession plans at “The Tonight Show.” Jay Leno, the longtime host, is expected to be replaced by Jimmy Fallon in 2014, people with knowledge of the plans confirmed.

This isn’t the first time NBC has tried to replace Leno. In 2009, Conan O’Brien succeeded Leno as host only to have Leno reclaim the job several months later. O’Brien now hosts a show on the TBS cable channel.

But NBC is hoping history doesn’t repeat itself this time. A person close to Leno said he is on board with the plan.

The exact timing is still being worked out. Leno’s contract with NBC is not up until September 2014. However, there has been talk about having Fallon move from his current time slot of 12:30 a.m. to Leno’s 11:30 p.m. slot next summer or perhaps earlier.

Unlike O’Brien, who moved from New York to Los Angeles when he landed the “Tonight Show” gig, Fallon is expected to remain in New York. An NBC spokeswoman confirmed that a new studio is being built for Fallon, a fact first reported by the New York Times.

Danson will stay on scene with ‘CSI’

CBS is giving cheers to Ted Danson, the star of the network’s landmark “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” The former “Cheers” star has been awarded a contract extension, while the series has been renewed for the 2013-14 season.

Danson joined “CSI” in 2011 following the exit of Laurence Fishburne, who never really connected with fans of the show.

Gaga on the mend after hip surgery

Lady Gaga’s manager says the pop star is “doing unbelievable” a month after she had hip surgery that caused her to cancel her U.S. tour. Vincent Herbert said in an interview Tuesday the 26-year-old Grammy winner is “doing wonderful, doing great.”

Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, canceled her “Born This Way Ball” tour last month. She’d hurt herself while performing some time ago. Herbert said Gaga is finishing her new album, “ARTPOP.”

Bobby Brown gets jail time for DUI

Bobby Brown has surrendered to authorities and will begin a 55-day jail sentence for a driving under the influence conviction. Brown’s attorney said the R&B singer turned himself in at a Los Angeles courthouse Wednesday.

Brown pleaded no contest to DUI and driving on a suspended license in February. He will also be required to serve four years on informal probation and complete an 18-month alcohol treatment program after he is released.

The birthday bunch

Actor Timothy Dalton is 67. Singer Eddie Money is 64. Actor Gary Oldman is 55. Actor Matthew Broderick is 51. Comedian-talk show host Rosie O’Donnell is 51.