Kimmel on Leno

Report: NBC to pay Conan $30 million Jan. 15, 2010, 7:27 PM EST

NBC has its way out of the Conan Crisis.

The network has agreed to pay O'Brien $30 million to vacate the 11:35 p.m. "Tonight Show," individuals involved in the negotiations have told TheWrap. The deal, which still has to be formally signed, could be announced as early as Friday. Individuals in O'Brien's camp declined to comment.

As TheWrap previously reported, Team Conan was insisting that NBC has breached O'Brien's contract because, it argued, the deal had a timeslot guarantee. NBC's response: No, there is no such guarantee of a specific timeslot for "Tonight." So as long as we keep something called "The Tonight Show" on the air, there is no breach. If NBC had been in breach, it would have owed Conan around $40 million (and as much as $50 million, according to some reports, as a penalty. People close to NBC insisted the network would not yield on this point-- it wouldn't admit it had breached O'Brien's deal.

Under this proposal, the sooner O'Brien starts a new gig -- if he starts one -- the less money it would have to pay. So if Conan managed to land a new job at Fox within a year, the Peacock might shell out less than the full $30 million.

In spite of how he was treated, I can't feel to badly for anyone who walks away with 30 mil.


I saw part of a movie on HBO last night with Edward Norton. It was called Pride & Glory. I always catch it late at night (twice now) and have never seen it all the way thru. Anyone hear of it?

TIS

Man Stern was psychic!

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- Fatties welcome.

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- NOTE: If you want me to perform after midnight, it'll cost you!



http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cas/1558679241.html

I saw it. I thought it was a worthwhile cop drama. Colin Farrell comes very close to stealing every scene he's in. Rick Gonzalez does a great cameo. It's DEFINITELY not a new story by any stretch of the imagination but it was well done.

There's a movie with Edward Norton and Ben Stiller. They play two boyhood best friends. Norton grows up to be a priest and Stiller a rabbi. They become known in the neighborhood as "The God Squad" and try to bring youth and energy to their respective congregations. All goes well until their third childhood buddy Anna, played by Jenna Elfman, comes back into their lives. Naturally, they both fall in love with her.

The movie is cute and light-hearted. It was nice to see Norton in such a role. I can't remember the name of it, but try to catch it if I'm flipping channels and it's on. Ann Bancroft is very good as Stiller's mom.

That was a good movie. I believe it was called Keeping The Faith.

Lilo,

For some reason, I'm not destined to see the entire movie. It was on HBO and I caught it twice and fell asleep midway. The other night, I watched it at my convenience, using "on demand". I was able to fast forward to the spot I left off. It was later at night and once again I fell asleep.

A very disturbing scene was the one with the baby and the iron. Horrible! I cringe.

Anyway, I may just give up.

TIS

It's Finalized: Conan, NBC reach $45 million Divorce

Conan O'Brien and NBC worked out their final conflict hours ago and have reached a $45 million settlement ... and we've learned it's a sweeter deal for Conan than anyone thought.

Network sources tell TMZ the "mitigation" clause was taken off the table. Translation -- Conan will get a severance of $32.5 million, regardless of whether he gets another hosting gig. Not bad for seven months work.

As we first reported, NBC will pay $7.5 million to Conan's "Tonight Show" staff -- and our sources believe the network added several thousand more to the pot at the last minute.

In addition, NBC will pay a whopping $4.5 million to the executive producer.

Conan's last show is Friday. We're told NBC hasn't decided who will replace Conan for the period between Monday and the Winter Olympics.

http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0dGJ8RNm6

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I like all the support Conan got from the other late night talk show hosts (minus Leno) and comedians. Last night at the TV Hall of Fame banquet, where Gene Roddenberry (creator of STAR TREK) got inducted by Seth McFarlane (FAMILY GUY). Ole Seth's comment about TREK's cancellation:

"NBC, not known for its good programming decisions even back then..."

It's personal... very personal

"Letterman has been hammering me every night," Leno said on Wednesday's show. "You know the best way to get Letterman to ignore you? Marry him. He will not bother you. He won't look you in the eye."

Last week, Leno said Letterman's attacks surprised him because "usually he's just taking shots at the interns."

Letterman vs. Leno

Tonight is Conan's last show.

Jay, I hope you're happy.

Although I do believe that Conan got the raw deal, I don't hate Leno. He has always been described as a real nice down to earth guy. Now that he "won" the spot back, it seems everyone hates him, I don't. I like O'Brien too though. It's very hard to feel badly for him when he got so much cash.


TIS

That's true, Tis, BUT . . . while Conan got 32 million to walk away, Jay will continue to make 30 million PER YEAR.

I think Leno comes out of this deal looking like a f'n bum. Just my stupid opinion, but I hope he fails in every way. While Jay always won in the ratings, Letterman has always been more popular with the critics, because his brand of humor is just smarter. And Leno has always been very bitter about that.

But who cares about the critics? It would be nice if Dave can finally catch Leno in the ratings.

I'm surprised at some of my fellow Board members posts about this subject. NBC has made a business decision about late night broadcasting. What is the problem with that? What does it have to do with whether or not Jay or Conan are nice guys or not.

Well, only speaking for myself, I'm not a huge fan of any of them if only because I'm usually not up that late. But it appears that NBC made a promise to Conan, which they are now reneging upon and it's not necessarily Conan's fault.

I do think that Conan took his reaction too far and I don't feel sorry for any multi-millionaire.

What about poor old Dick Cheney?

The reason why I bought up the fact that many times I've heard what a nice "down to earth guy" Leno was, IS because (if true) it seems out of character that he'd be so malicious. I heard his explanation the other night and he presented it in a "business" way I guess.

Again, I'm on Conan's side as far as him getting the shaft, BUT It seems NBC is the true culprit. They could have booted Leno if they wanted to which makes me wonder if THEY think Leno will bring more viewers/money???

TIS

Conan didn't get the shaft. He got, what, $33 MILLION? PLUS he made sure his crew was taken care of, for another $10M or so -- a good guy.

I don't dislike him, nor Leno -- I don't regularly watch late-night TV (ironically lol) -- but according to ratings, he's destroyed The Tonight Show. Fact. He'll do fine in another show (next Fall). And Jay will bring it back and do it 'til he retires....

He got the shaft. He got only 7 months when Leno had 2-3 years to get his stupid act together in the ratings.

Yeah I know its an easy kneejerk copout to say anyone is fine and happy because he's got a ton of money...but you know what geoff?

Between $35 million upfront and hosting the Tonight Show a real longterm run (5-10 years), I think Conando would have picked the Tonight Show. The guy 17 something years at 12:30, improved from shitty host to an outright comedy hero of my generation, and basically get bent over after 7 months on a job he was promised for 5 years.



Yeah because ratings are still in 2009 what they were 30, 20, or even 5 years ago. You're like those oldtimers who still think Americans give a shit about network news at 6:30 and not cable news or the Internet.

Besides, using your precious ratings, who tanked at 10 when there is a bigger audience available? Who of the late show hosts was the only one to NOT get a bump from this NBC fiasco? I mean last I checked, Coco didn't fail at primetime. He didn't get rewarded for failure like a certain someone.

Here's a clue: He's got several cars.

LMAO. Nuff said.

I'm not getting tangled into some troll who thinks I'm outdated -- I did this, and have been doing this, since you were a wish in your daddy's balls.

I hear what you're saying; but disagreeing, respectfully.

Quote anything I've said disrespectfully to your BFF Conan! EVERYONE on the BB (and via Google and beyond) will easily and quickly see thru you with such a reply.

RR, I don't from where you get your information, but some of your statements don't add up. For one, a network news show at 6:30 PM EST is typically viewed by between 6 million and 10 million depending on which network newscast one watches. The largest audience among cable news shows closest to the 6:30 EST timeslot is about 3.5 million that tune in to watch Bret Baier on Fox. From then on through the evening Fox and the other cable networks program opinion shows.

I for one have never seen any TV host's contract, so I don't know the terms of those contracts. Perhaps you are privy to them. As I posted elsewhere, NBC and probably GE made a business decision in its equity holders interests in order to maximize the return of their investment.

I've been loyal to Conan for about 15 years. He's everything I wish I could be. He's the Carson/Leno of my generation. For those of you who bring up the money he is getting to walk away and saying "I don't feel bad for him"... Conan himself has said repeatedly "Don't feel sorry for me!". He admits he has the best job in the world and he has no regrets.

Did anyone watch the final episode tonight? I just finished watching it. While he has ripped NBC the past two weeks, making him a sudden legend, his final words were nothing but respect for NBC, his home for the past twenty years (SNL, Late Night, and the Tonight Show). I do think he got the shaft by not getting the chance to establish himself with a new audience like Leno did, but I also think FOX or whoever is licking their chops at the opportunity to get this guy after what he just went through. He is (has been) the next generation for late night programming and he'll still be around when Leno and Letterman are done.

I thought his final remarks on the show were interesting after he gave his speech about NBC. I agree 100%.

"To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism — it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

I love Conan O'Brien.

I didn't see his last show but heard parts of his remarks. I am not a constant late night show watcher but know all of the late night hosts and actually like all of them. I agree that Conan's audience is maybe a younger/newer generation but personally, in spite of being old, I too really think he's funny.

YET, I still find Leno good and, like Johnny Carson, in a certain way. It was always nice to know, when you came home late at night, that you could tune in to Leno. He was "always there". I remember after Carson passed away talking with some co-workers. A few said how sometimes Johnny wasn't even funny, but they still felt like seeing him because he was Johnny and would make fun of himself if he bombed. Go figure. I think Leno, who was a guest on the Tonight Show many times, for many years, to my generation, was maybe getting to that "comfort" point. Maybe people my age can relate to that logic, I don't know.

Anyway, I hope (and believe) we'll be seeing Conan soon on another network and his fans will surely follow him because he too is good.

TIS

One of the many reasons you rock TIS

By James Desborough, 24/01/2010

HOLLYWOOD golden pair Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have seen DIVORCE lawyers and signed a £205 million split deal, we can reveal. The world's most famous couple legally agreed how to divide their fortune and who gets custody of their six kids.

The megastars have agreed to equally divide their vast fortune - and to SHARE their six children. Dynamite legal papers secretly signed by the couple this month detail how all their homes and assets will be carved up.
The agreement gives them joint custody of the kids - but all six will actually live full-time with their mum.

Preparations for a split began in early December when "Brangelina" visited a top Los Angeles divorce firm to begin thrashing out the deal. An announcement of their separation is expected to be made soon - ending months of speculation that the five-year relationship is on the rocks.

Marlon Brando Ex Sues for Wrongful Death

http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/22/marlon-brando-christian-brando-wrongful-death/

"Keeping the Faith," Babe.

I LOVE that film. I actually listed in in my New York City film thread last week. The location shooting on the Upper West Side is AMAZING. You know that I worked in funeral service for many years. Well, I can pretty much name you every Manhattan Church and Temple that was used in that film. Great stuff!

The film was actually based on a much older Priest and Rabbi out in the Five Towns (Hewlett, I think). They're in their 60s now, maybe even their 70s, and they do a local Long Island tv show together. It's called . . . "The God Squad."

Isn't there also a scene filmed at The Cloisters? I haven't been there since I was a kid, but would love to take the girls.