Bell recently supervised the Spanish-language World Cup broadcasts on TelemundoROXXE IRELAND
NBC Olympics President of Production & Programming JIM BELL and the network have begun negotiations to bring him "on board to help run" "THE TONIGHT SHOW," according to sources cited by Brian Steinberg of VARIETY. A source said that Bell is the "leading candidate" for the position and that he "might be able to maintain some ties to sports if he takes the 'Tonight' role." Bell over the years has "supervised everything" from NBC’s 'TODAY' to its recent" Spanish-language World Cup broadcasts on Telemundo. His move to work with late-night host JIMMY FALLON "could lend 'Tonight' new expertise in live programming and newsy content." Bell and Fallon have "worked together in the recent past." NBC’s broadcast of the Pyeongchang Games included "five-minute versions of 'Tonight' sandwiched between primetime broadcasts and late-night coverage." The move to enlist Bell "comes after two new executives rose to the top of NBC Entertainment" as PAUL TELEGDY and GEORGE CHEEKS were named co-Chairs last month (VARIETY.com, 10/23). In L.A., Stephen Battaglio reports Bell is "not expected to force Fallon to change his act, which still appeals to the vast swath of viewers across the country who want a break" from the media’s coverage of PRESIDENT TRUMP. But NBC will be "looking for some fresh ideas from Bell, who has spent years successfully running one of the network’s most lucrative franchises in 'Today'" (L.A. TIMES, 10/24).
