The Tonight Show showrunner Jim Bell is exiting, leaving NBC after three decades

The Hollywood Reporter

Bell, who joined The Tonight Show as showrunner last fall, will be replaced on an interim basis by Gavin Purcell. A former Late Night producer, Purcell helped launch Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show and most recently served as showrunner on Sarah Silverman's I Love You, America. Bell said in a statement that he had only committed to serve as showrunner for a year. "The past year with Jimmy and the terrific team at the show has been a blast, and I will always be grateful for this opportunity," Bell said. "But after serious contemplation, I realized I did not want to extend my time at the show. Those thoughts are part of larger ones I have been having about my career, and what has emerged for me is a strong desire to delve into something new — to build on my experience in news, sports, and entertainment so I can broaden and deepen my leadership role in the content universe."