Chelsea Handler Responds to Jimmy Fallon 'Tonight Show' Rumors; Says She 'Has A Job' With Netflix
Chelsea Handler is perfectly happy with her job and is preparing to host a show on Netflix in 2016. However, rumors started circulating this week that Handler was gunning for Jimmy Fallon's job as host of "The Tonight Show" on NBC. The 40-year-old comedian took to Twitter to respond to the speculation.
Radar Online reported Handler was trying to convince executives to consider her for the job if the network decided to go in a different direction because of Fallon's rumored drinking habits. Sources said Jay Leno was grooming Handler to take over the show when he was leaving, but instead the show went to Fallon.
"Now his drunken antics are starting to cast a shadow over the show, Chelsea’s informed NBC she’s available to take over any time,” the source said. "She’s convinced it’s only a matter of time before the network starts preparing for a back-up plan should Jimmy fail to rein in his boozing."
In November, the New York Post said Fallon's partying was getting out of control and that he was "a mess." The host has had several injuries this year, including three in four months. NBC is reportedly "worried" the drinking has become too much, a source said.
"It’s gone from being a whisper to a chatter,” the source said about the network's concerns.
Handler hosted a late show called "Chelsea Lately" from 2007-2014. The show came to a close in summer 2014, but she recently signed a deal with Netflix, which is developing a new show for her and also putting out four documentaries the comedian created.
The 40-year-old told Variety at the Television Critics Association that her new talk show will be "broader" than "Chelsea Lately." She also expects the show to air on the streaming service twice a week and will be "in your face." No premiere date has been announced yet, but it's expected to be available in 2016.
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