Jimmy Fallon’s much-publicized decision to move “The Tonight Show” to New York City has Broadway producers and press agents salivating at the prospect of late-night exposure.
Fallon, who grew up in Saugerties, NY, is a Broadway fan. Over the years, he’s even spoken with producers about appearing in plays and musicals.
So now that “The Tonight Show” is back in Rockefeller Center, how much longer could it be before the cast of “Motown” or “Beautiful” is on the set performing a number?
Don’t hold your breath, theater sources say.
“Tonight Show” producers have told press agents not to expect much at first, as Fallon establishes himself in the hosting chair.
“They’re going to stick to big-time celebrities, especially during sweeps,” one publicist says.
Another adds: “It’s our understanding that Fallon is going to make a very big commitment to Broadway, but he’s got to get his sea legs first.”
The producers of “After Midnight” are aggressively offering past (Fantasia), present (k.d. lang) and possible future (Shirley Bassey) guest stars to “The Tonight Show.”
And don’t be surprised if Carole King, who’s been MIA for her show “Beautiful,” stops by Fallon’s studio with Jessie Mueller, who plays her in the musical, to do a “Tapestry” medley.
As for “Motown,” you can’t do better than an appearance by the real Berry Gordy and his alter ego in the show, the excellent Brandon Victor Dixon, who brought down the house Monday night at “Imus on Broadway” with the song “Can I Close the Door (on Love).”
“Whichever Broadway show gets there first will reap rewards,” says a producer. “And we hope a precedent will be established. ‘The Tonight Show’ is setting itself up as part of the New York landscape, and you don’t get any more New York than Broadway.”
While everybody covets exposure on the late-night circuit — Kimmel, O’Brien, Letterman — it doesn’t always mean a big bump at the box office.
Letterman tends to put on numbers at the very end of his show, and Kimmel usually incorporates Broadway players into skits and gags.
“It’s good exposure, and you tend to see ticket sales increase over the course of a week or so,” a source says.
But every now and then, something catches fire. When the cast of the Tony-winning revival of “Hair” appeared on Letterman, ticket sales skyrocketed.
On the whole, though, the late-night shows don’t have the impact of the daytime shows, which reach the sweet spot of the Broadway audience — middle-age women.
Ever since Rosie O’Donnell gave up her talk show, the reigning queens for Broadway exposure have been Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb in the 10 a.m. hour of “Today.”
They often take in a Wednesday matinee and “are treated like royalty by the mature crowd,” says a publicist. When they talk up the play or musical the next day, the box office goes up.
As for “The View,” it’s all about Whoopi Goldberg.
“Her endorsement is very, very meaningful,” a producer says.