NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Fallon reportedly replacing Jay Leno

los angeles

As Jay Leno lobs potshots at ratings-challenged NBC in his “Tonight” monologues, speculation is swirling the network is taking steps to replace the host with Jimmy Fallon next year and move the show from Burbank to New York.

NBC confirmed Wednesday it’s creating a new studio for Fallon in New York, where he hosts “Late Night.” But the network did not comment on a report that the digs at its Rockefeller Plaza headquarters may become home to a transplanted, Fallon-hosted “Tonight.”

The New York Times reported the plan in a Wednesday story, citing unidentified network executives. The Hollywood Reporter had a March 1 report about a Fallon-Leno switch, which was denied by the network.

David Allen Coe injured in Fla. crash

OCALA, Fla.

Police in north Florida cited country music singer David Allen Coe for running a red light before being struck by a tractor-trailer near downtown Ocala.

The Ocala Star-Banner reports the crash occurred early Tuesday. A message on his website says 73-year-old Coe is “recuperating from his accident and will be ok.” His agent told the newspaper that Coe’s concerts in St. Louis and Louisville, Ky., have been canceled.

Authorities say the truck’s driver, 50-year-old Robert Johnson and 49-year-old Lisa Meade, also were injured.

Ocala police say Coe was driving a 2011 Suburban when he ran the red light. The truck hit the SUV broadside, pushing it into a nearby parking lot. The truck flipped on its side, wrapped around a pole and spilled the radishes and corn it was hauling.

Gaga recovering after hip surgery

NEW YORK

Lady Gaga’s manager says the pop star is “doing unbelievable” a month after she had hip surgery that caused her to cancel her U.S. tour.

Vincent Herbert said in an interview Tuesday the 26-year-old Grammy winner is “doing wonderful, doing great.”

Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, canceled her “Born This Way Ball” tour last month. She’d hurt herself while performing some time ago.

Herbert says Gaga is finishing her new album, “ARTPOP,” and is “ready to get back to work.”

He calls the new album “very, very refreshing” and says the “Born This Way” singer continues to “push the envelope.”

Herbert adds: “I can’t wait for the world to hear her new music and see her come back healthy, strong and better than ever.”

Vindicator wire services