Jimmy Fallon appears to be inching closer to Conan O'Brien's "Late Night" chair.

For months, Fallon has been widely considered the top choice to succeed O'Brien when he steps down next year. On Thursday, published reports said Fallon has signed, or soon will sign, a deal with NBC.

NBC had no comment Thursday on the stories by The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. The network had been expected to announce its choice of host within the next few weeks, possibly at its May 12 presentation for advertisers.

A former regular on "Saturday Night Live," Fallon, 33, would take over sometime next year as host of the 12:30 a.m. talk show. O'Brien is to replace Jay Leno on NBC's "Tonight" show, aired at 11:30 p.m. each weeknight.

Fallon taking over "Late Night" is the only part of this talk-show turnover that remained in any doubt. The succession plan at the "Tonight" show, including Leno's departure, was announced by NBC in 2004.

But as long ago as last summer, NBC late-night boss Rick Ludwin was quoted as saying that Fallon "is at the top of our short list."

(Frazier Moore, Associated Press)

Now we know why Jim Lehrer didn't make it to Pittsburgh with "The NewsHour" this week. A publicist for the PBS staple announced yesterday that Lehrer underwent a heart valve procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

"It was a complete success," according to Anne Bell, public relations manager for "The NewsHour." "Jim plans to be back at full speed and on the program within a few weeks."

Lehrer was expected to anchor "The NewsHour" from WQED in Oakland Monday and Tuesday night, but last Friday plans changed when after a routine checkup Lehrer's doctor wanted to conduct more tests. Gwen Ifill anchored "The NewsHour" from Pittsburgh in Lehrer's place.

(Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor)