LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Jay Leno's final episode of the "Tonight Show" will be the night before the start of the Winter Olympics, executive producer Debbie Vickers announced.
The late-night show's staff of about 170 people will be paid through the end of September 2014, when Leno's contract with NBC expires, she said Friday, as reported by Variety.
The announcement to end Leno's run Feb. 6 is not entirely unexpected as NBC had previously announced his departure would take place in the week leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Deadline Hollywood reported Friday.
Jimmy Fallon is set to take over the "Tonight Show" the day after the Olympics end, Feb. 24 to give him "the best chance of succeeding," said NBC Entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt.
"We really believe in Jimmy Fallon," he added.
