Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
So Albany: Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon Would Get NY Tax Credit
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 22, 2013
Modified Mar 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 22, 2013
Modified Mar 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After the NY Times revealed NBC's plan to move the Tonight Show to New York City and install Jimmy Fallon as host, some language in New York's tentative state budget stuck out. Like how tax credits would be available for a "a talk or variety program that filmed at least five seasons outside the state prior to its first relocated season in New York."
The Daily News reported the details, like how it says that the episodes "'must be filmed before a studio audience of' at least 200 people. And the program must have an annual production budget of at least $30 million or incur at least $10 million a year in capital expenses. In other words, a program exactly like 'The Tonight Show.'"
Governor Cuomo's aides said that this credit provision wasn't intended specifically for the Tonight Show, "It’s meant to attract shows to New York that are currently in other states that can generate economic revenue and tourism," but that's little comfort to Assemblyman James Tedisco. The upstate Republican issued a press release, slamming the credits:
Tedisco is calling on the state to allocate the $5 million the budget has set aside to bring Jimmy Fallon and the "Tonight Show” to New York toward restoring services for people with developmental disabilities. The Governor’s initial budget cuts funding for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities by $120 million.
“The role of state government is to have spending priorities and protect our most vulnerable citizens in the state budget. Our priority should be looking out for families and people with developmental disabilities in communities like Ballston Spa, not giving taxpayer-funded handouts to support the lifestyles of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills,” said Tedisco.
Anything to win business from California, though, right? At least Jay Leno is laughing:
Tagged
Albany
governor cuomo
jay leno
jimmy fallon
nbc
tax credit
tonight show
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
Spoiler alert: It's still 26.2 miles.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 2:36 p.m. ET
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .