Report: Brian Williams Wanted to Host "The Tonight Show"

Brian Williams allegedly wanted to take over "The Tonight Show" as host when Jay Leno left.

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Complex Original

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Brian Williams will have at least six months to practice his comedy, since that's what he allegedly wanted to do anyway, according to a report in New York

The Nightly News anchor, who's suspended from the newscast following his admission that a story he told about the Iraq invasion wasn't true, told the network very seriously that he wanted to host The Tonight Show when Jay Leno departed, two sources told the magazine. 

“Brian wants to be a late-night comedian,” one source reportedly said. 

Williams has been a frequent guest on late-night talk shows such as The Tonight Show and The Daily Showbut while he may have actually been funnier than Jay Leno (not difficult), it's kind of insane to think he could have won the job over a multitalented performer like Jimmy Fallon, especially with the success Fallon has had. 

Many are speculating that Williams won't be back after his six month suspension. 

1.

As of Wednesday night, Williams' name had been scrubbed from the NBC News website and his name wasn't included in the opening narration of the Nightly News broadcast (anchored by Lester Holt). Before the suspension, Williams' name was mentioned during a Michael Douglas voiceover at the opening of the show, even when Williams had the night off. 

[Via Daily Mail]

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