Australian talk show host to UTA

Variety - USA - Australian talkshow host Rove McManus -- often described as Oz's version of Jay Leno -- has said "G'day" to UTA.

Signing comes less than two months after McManus made his U.S. talkshow debut on "The Tonight Show." Tenpercentery will rep McManus in all areas, including acting, hosting and personal appearances.

UTA will also represent McManus' Roving Enterprises production shingle, which produces Oz's version of the Grammys, as well as two scripted comedy series and a localized, McManus-hosted version of the Fox hit "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"

Stateside push for McManus comes as both NBC and Fox are mulling their future latenight options. Peacock needs to find someone to replace Conan O'Brien if, as planned, O'Brien takes over for Leno in 2009. And Fox has said it's exploring the idea of a latenight strip, though no firm plans are in place.

McManus hosts the weekly talker "Rove" on Oz's Ten network. He also tours as a standup comic and hosts a weekly syndicated radio show.