Jimmy Fallon Celebrates 10 Years As Host Of "The Tonight Show"

Jimmy Fallon took over as the host of "The Tonight Show" on February 24, 2014, after his predecessor Jay Leno announced his 2014 retirement the previous year. Since then, Fallon's 10-year run on the coveted late-night television spot, which airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m., has been defined by its youthful vitality and zeal. Unlike his predecessors, Leno and Johnny Carson, and contemporaries like Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Colbert, Fallon is less of a conversationalist and more of what the Los Angeles Times calls a "performer." 

"Fallon is almost 50 now, but he presents younger — he hasn't appreciably aged in the job, and mixes well with guests half his age. He says "rad" without irony and gets away with it," says Robert Lloyd for the LA Times. "As a host, he's a large friendly dog. As an interviewer, he's a percussionist, clapping his hands, and banging his desk in a delight that can seem less than authentic — which is not to say it is. He's a performer, a joiner, coming out from behind his desk as often as possible. He sings, he dances. Unlike Leno, Letterman, or O'Brien, he doesn't leave the studio much — because why would he? All his toys — and the Roots, his nimble house band — are there."

This rings true as Fallon's style for engaging with guests is defined by challenges and games, an opportunity for his guests to show rather than tell. Challenges include the "Whisper Challenge," which involves the guest and host guessing what one is saying while the other is wearing headphones, or the "Wheel of Impressions," which asks guests, mainly musicians, to imitate other celebrities via a song. These challenges, one could assume, aim to reveal a lighter side of the celebrity through play. This method, which Lloyd describes as "a teenage sleepover party with pop stars," may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Fallon maintains a loyal following. Seeing that he's been the face of "The Tonight Show" for a decade and will continue to host the show unless otherwise there's an announcement of his retirement, Fallon's tenure as host has been, so far, a success. 

The bigger question is whether broadcast television will stand the test of time. With more and more youngsters looking to social media for entertainment rather than television, the concept of "The Tonight Show" has to adapt with it. However, there could be an argument that Fallon may stand the test of time and appeal to the younger generation; after all, he is the host who invites celebrities like Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae to the chair. And who can forget his guest appearance on the Nickelodeon classic and Gen Z favorite, iCarly? We'll just have to wait and see if Fallon beats out Leno and Carson with their number of seasons, which is 22 and 30 respectively.