I'd have to go with option 1. http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/10/conan-obrien-jay-leno-nbc-foc-abc-tonight-show/ Conan O'Brien -- Such a Hard Decision Posted Jan 10th 2010 12:25AM by TMZ Staff Conan O'Brien is sitting on a decision that could be worth as much as $80 million, sources tell TMZ. We broke the story the Jay Leno will be reclaiming his old time slot. There has been speculation that NBC exercised a loophole, which would allow the network to give Conan a portion of his time slot back (12:05-12:35) without having to pay Conan a penalty -- but sources tell us that is not the case. We're told NBC is in breach of it's agreement with Conan by moving the start time of his show. As a result, Conan now has three options. Option 1: Quit the show and spend the next four years at the beach. If Conan does this, our sources say NBC would have to pay him the value of his contract. We're told it's a five-year deal, worth as much as $20 million a year. With four years to go, Conan could conceivably get $80 million. But given his skin pigmentation and, possibly, his ego, the beach is unlikely. Option 2: Go to either FOX or ABC. This is where it gets complicated. If Conan were to strike a deal with either network to do a competing show, any salary Conan pulls in would offset the obligation owed by NBC. So, for example, if Conan made $20 million a year at NBC and ABC were to pay him $15 million a year, NBC would only owe Conan $5 mil a year for the four years remaining in his contract. Option 3: Eat crow and take the 12:05-1:05 time slot. If Conan takes this option, our sources say it's likely NBC would negotiate a new contract with the same salary Conan was getting before. Even though the salary isn't supported by the time period, it's cheaper than paying him off. NBC, we're told, prefers this option, because Conan would not be splintering Leno's rating by going to another network. So, Conan, will it be door #1, 2 or 3?
this move is going to destroy leno, conan should choose option 1 leno will be canned in less than 2 years, conan will return and be the hero that saves nbc's late night
^ Except that leno has owned the rantings for 20 years. If conan could pull the ratings he would still have the spot.
except leno's ratings currently suck. he owned the tonight show time spot ratings, though, true. if conan takes option 2, which i think he should, it would be another competitor to jay's time slot. not that jay might not pull the best ratings of the three - who knows - but if FOX, for example, paid Conan $1 a year for a show, NBC would have to pay the other $19.99999 million, and pay Jay, etc.
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusiv...-finalizing-new-late-show-deal-will-host-2012 Dave Letterman Finalizing New Late Show Deal, Will Host To 2012 Posted on Jan 09, 2010 @ 01:45PM Sex scandal? What sex scandal? David Letterman's indiscretions seem a distant memory at CBS. The eye-net is quietly finalizing its deal with Dave, extending his contract to fall, 2012, and both sides expect the contract to be signed in the next few days.
Anyone watched the shows since this came out? Both have been ripping NBC pretty hard in their monologues.
If Conan goes to FOX, he'd be 3rd in the ratings, maybe even 4th behind Kimmel. Though FOX paying him $1 a year would be great for FOX, if Conan really wanted to stick it to NBC, that would be the best way.
I say put both of them in a cheese-making competition. The one who makes the most delicious and moist cheese, stays. The other leaves the network for good.
Yeah, Leno is a ****ty lead-in for Conan. Letterman has the benefit of CBS's primetime. I doubt Conan will go to Fox and host an hour earlier.
I doubt he does, either...but I don't know what he's going to do. Certainly, the take time off and still make cash scenario works, but once you're out of the spotlight, it's hard to get back in PLUS it's not just his livelihood that is impacted by the decision - something you'd have to think about. I've never ever liked Kimmel, so personally I'd like to see him just take over Jimmy's spot...but then, Conan's never struck me as quite the "snake" that Leno clearly is, so I don't know how he'd feel about "forcing" someone else out. Moving to FOX would make sense in allowing him to do more of his type of humor, not forcing someone else out, still staying in the spotlight, etc. But with 4 shows on at the same time at one point, they will all suffer in the ratings. Comedy Central would be awesome for him as a fan, but I don't really see him doing that either. who knows... something that I think he'd be really really good at would be a quasi American version of what Britain does with Graham Norton. Maybe he could even stretch it to 2 hours. But just once a week, maybe Friday or Saturday and do a really kick-ass hilarious show...maybe even to compete with SNL, which sucks for 90% of the show. He could amp up his video segments, have multiple A-list stars per show, etc, etc.
Conan came out swinging against NBC and Leno the other night... went as far as doing his Leno impersonation and making fun of his bobblehead-like characteristics...
NBC is handling the whole situation very poorly. They should've always kept Leno at 11:30pm/Conan at 12:30am until Leno decided to retire FOR GOOD, not linger around on some 10:00pm show.
The problem is that this is exactly what NBC did. After all the announcements were made and Conan moved to LA, Leno had second thoughts and told NBC he did not want to retire after all. That is when NBC had the crappy idea for the prime time show.
I just want to say F*** Leno. And I hope for my sakes, Conan goes to Fox and compete with Leno in that same time slot. I cannot stand Leno. I mean, I don't really watch Letterman because I don't find his jokes funny. But I literally can't stand the act Leno puts on.
I hope no one goes to Fox. I'd much rather watch Simpsons, Family Guy, and Seinfeld reruns than any of these morons. At least now, I get a choice between cartoons and The Daily Show. Don't take that away from me.
