Jimmy Fallon, NBC Making ‘The Kids Tonight Show’ Under New Development Deal

Jimmy Fallon, host of “The Tonight Show,” and NBCU are expanding their programming together under a new development deal.

“The Kids Tonight Show,” a late-night program hosted by young people, is among the projects being developed under a new pact struck between NBCUniversal and Fallon’s production outlet, Electric Hot Dog. The late-night host and his brother-in-law, Jim Juvonen, run the company, and will, under terms of the agreement, create series and specials across NBCU’s portfolio. The “Kids Tonight Show,” for example, will appear on Peacock, NBCU’s streaming-video service.

The “Tonight” spin-off is also produced under the auspices of Lorne Michaels, who oversees “Tonight,” “Late Night” and “Saturday Night Live” for NBC. Current plans will have the new program shoot in NBC’s Studio 6A, across from 6B, where Fallon’s “Tonight” is produced. The new program will be run entirely by young people and will feature celebrity interviews and musical performances, though NBC did not release details about talent or when the program might start to run.

“We continue to be in awe of all things Jimmy,” said Susan Rovner, chairman of entertainment content at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, in a prepared statement. “Who else could run ‘The Tonight Show,’ executive produce and host brand new formats, and adapt his own bestselling books? Jimmy does them all with his signature style. We are privileged to call him a longtime member of our broadcast family.”

A primetime unscripted series, “That’s My Jam” is also in development under the new agreement. The show will have Fallon make his primetime hosting debut and executive produce a new hour-long music and comedy variety series that draws its concepts from such popular “Tonight” segments as “Wheel of Musical Impressions,” “Roots Name That Song” and “Slay It Don’t Spray It.” In each episode, two celebrity teams compete for charity in a series of games that involve music, dance, performances and trivia. Adam Blackstone will serve as musical director and will lead the house band throughout each episode. Mike Yurchuk will serve as showrunner. The series is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Fallon will executive produce a new music competition series, “Clash of the Cover Bands,” for E!. In each episode, two bands go head to head to determine which delivers the most impressive cover performance for a chance to win a cash prize. The program is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Fallon will also develop his holiday children’s book, “5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas,” as an animated holiday special. Kelly Powers produces along with ShadowMachine. Jon Foster and James Lamont are the writers. The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Fallon and DreamWorks Animation will develop a new animated preschool series based on the host’s children’s books “Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada” and “Everything is Mama.” The series is executive produced by Fallon and Kelly Powers, developed for television by Johanna Stein  and Noelle Lara and is set in an imaginative world of animals.

Fallon is represented by Eastman and Eastman and CAA.

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