Former Today executive producer Jim Bell formally named Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show showrunner

Deadline

Bell, who is currently in charge (and will remain in charge) of NBC Olympics programming, will helm The Tonight Show, working with fellow executive producers Katie Hockmeyer and Gerard Bradford. His appointment was announced following longtime Fallon staffer Mike DiCenzo’s decision to exit Fallon's show after working with Fallon for the past 10 years, helping him launch his Late Night show. Bell's hiring mirrors CBS' decision to have CBS This Morning executive producer Chris Licht serve as showrunner of Stephen Colbert's Late Show. While Colbert has been beating Fallon in total viewers, The Tonight Show has been slightly edging out The Late Show in the key 18-49 demo. ALSO: NBC officials insist Bell's appointment won't mean Fallon will begin putting an emphasis on the news like Colbert.