Chelsea Handler, comedienne and talk show host of Chelsea Lately, has been accused of attempting to usurp Jimmy Fallon's spot as host of the Tonight Show. The rumor started cropping up when reports started flooding in that Fallon has a drinking problem. This is all, of course, despite the fact that Handler already has a contract lined up with Netflix for a new talk show of her own. But who needs facts when you have rumors?
Radar reminds us of when Jay Leno was grooming Handler to take over The Tonight Show and how "disappointed" they both were when the gig went to Fallon. Now, Radar has an inside source that says, "Chelsea's informed NBC she's available to take over any time." Of the 40-year-old comedienne, the same source also said, "She is rubbing her hands together with glee over Jimmy Fallon's fall from grace
All of this gleeful hand rubbing is apparently because 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."
This may or may not have been the case at one point, but since Radar's leak, Chelsea has taken to Twitter in an attempt to put these rumors to bed, "Um...I have a job. And a contract."
Um...I have a job. And a contract.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) December 4, 2015
The contract to which Chelsea refers is with Netflix. Not only will the she be getting her own Netflix show, but making four documentaries that will also be available to Netflix subscribers.
Variety had the pleasure of attending the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills earlier this year in July where the ex-Chelsea Lately host was promoting her new Netflix show. They quote her as saying, "Netflix, they're very well known for letting talent drive its own car. They give you the structure that you need and they let you drive... it's such a pleasure to work with people that have faith in you and let you blossom."
It certainly appears that Chelsea has let go of any ambitions she may, or may not, have for taking over The Tonight Show. Plus, it looks like despite his drinking problem -- supposed or otherwise -- Fallon is still hitting it big with his audience. Deadline attributes The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with beating The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in weekly ratings for the five weeks running.
