Broadcastingcable.com is reporting that Jimmy Fallon, who because famous as a member of the Saturday Night Live troupe, may be in line to replace Conan O'Brien when (and if) Conan takes over General Electric Company's (NYSE:GE) NBC's Tonight show in 2009.

Fallon pulled time behind the desk during the faux-news segment on SNL. He has also launched a film career, with parts in Taxi, Fever Pitch, and I Dream of Jeannie. O'Brien's 12:30 p.m. slot on NBC will be available after the already announced transition takes place when Jay Leno retires in 2009.

However, keep in mind this is television, where nothing is set in stone except that rating determines everything. If I were O'Brien, I wouldn't order any business cards until I saw the graphics hit the screen with my name on it.

What works for a smaller audience at 12:30 p.m. may not transition to the 11:30 slot. The audience is notably fickle; ask Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall. Despite their commitment, NBC would be foolish to not consider other candidates that may bring more potential for audience (and ad sales). My dark horse candidate? Jon Stewart. Great audience appeal, smaller network, ergo smaller salary. He might be interested in advancement. Or Ellen Degeneres, who has proven herself in her daytime gig.

In the next two years, other stars will also wax and wane, and the other networks won't sit quietly by. When Leno signs off, look for ABC, CBS and perhaps Fox to go after his audience like dogs to a pork chop.

Conan might note that no Vice-president has successfully run for President in over 40 years.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

Ryland Group Inc. (NYSE: RYL) is the favorite conservative pick from John Stewart, editor of The Leverage Alert. He notes, "The company, which builds homes and finances mortgages, is seeing its stock start to display positive price action, although many experts are calling for a broader and deeper housing correction.

"Much of the doom and gloom toward the sector seems to have already been priced into these housing stocks as even negative news seems to be shrugged off. RYL's technical picture now looks quite strong as it is trading well above key moving averages, such as its 80-day. Meanwhile, shorter-term moving averages such as its 10-day trendline have provided support for the security during its recent run higher.

"Despite the stock's strength, ample skepticism exists from the Street. Ample pessimism is evident in our quantitative sentiment indicators as well. Options players are quite heavily skewed toward the bearish side of the spectrum.

"A number of traders are betting against the stock by shorting the shares as well. The total number of shares sold short amounts to nearly 20% of the stock's float. As the shares continue their advance, these short sellers may be forced to buy back their pessimistic positions. This could further exacerbate the magnitude of the homebuilder's upside potential as the bears unwind their short positions."

To see John's top speculative pick for 2007, click here.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is the favorite speculative play for 2007 from John Stewart, editor of The Leverage Alert. He explains, "The stock has made a strong positive move off its July lows, and the fundamental, technical, and sentiment outlook for the stock appear to suggest that the shares could continue to perform extremely well into 2007.

"From a fundamental perspective, the company is slated to earn a profit in the current quarter after several quarters of net losses. This development has not been overlooked by investors as the shares are up more than 40% from their July lows.

"What's more, Martha Stewart Omnimedia now trades well above its key short-term moving averages and has broken above former resistance around the 20 level on the monthly chart. This level now appears to be acting as support, which is an important bullish characteristic from a technical perspective.