After months of rumors, NBC confirmed that “Late Night” host Jimmy Fallon will take over “The Tonight Show” after the Winter Olympics in February.

This marks the end of Jay Leno’s 22-year reign as host of “The Tonight Show.” He previously stepped down in 2009 to let Conan O’Brien host, but due to bad ratings Leno regained his seat behind the late night show’s desk.

The transition from Leno to Fallon will not be like the previous one—it will be permanent. Fallon is a more “mainstream” comedian than O’Brien, whose humor worked when he was at “Late Night,” but fell flat at “Tonight.”

Fallon is consistantly funny. His bits, such as the recent skit with First Lady Michelle Obama called “the Evolution of Mom Dancing,” often go viral.

“Saturday Night Live” creator and “Late Night” executive producer Lorne Michaels said that Fallon is “the closest to [Johnny] Carson that I’ve seen of this generation.”

Michaels is right; Fallon is this generation’s Carson.

Fallon does not do a “Las Vegas” style show. Instead, he does a show that incorporates music, the Internet, SNL-like skits, and games with his guests. He breaks the show up so that viewers do not have to watch the entire show live, but can watch clips of the best moments.

Like Carson, Fallon has a side kick who is also the show’s announcer, Steve Higgins. When Fallon’s jokes fall flat, Higgins usually turns it around and makes the audience laugh.

Fallon’s best asset is The Roots. They are in the show’s skits, and at times are even funnier than Fallon. The Roots will stay with Fallon when he moves to “The Tonight Show.”

For the past 40 years, “The Tonight Show” has been filmed in California, but NBC executives have decided to move the show back to its home in New York City. This is a move that ensures Jimmy Fallon as the host of “The Tonight Show” for many years to come.

With Fallon replacing Leno, people are wondering who will take over “Late Night.” The rumored front runner to be the newest addition to late night is SNL’s Seth Meyers.

While Meyers would be a good pick, the time has come for a woman to host a late night show on a major network. 

Chelsea Handler would be a great choice to replace Fallon because she already hosts a talk show on E!, has a studio, and is in California.

Tina Fey would be another great pick for “Late Night,” but reports have said that she has turned it down because she is too busy.

Alec Baldwin is in talks to host a new late night show on NBC, according to the New York Times. It not known what time his show would air.

Fallon will become this generation’s Carson when he begins his new job as host of “The Tonight Show.”