Conan O'Brien Reportedly Leaving NBC Next Week
Conan O'Brien's last night as host of 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien' will likely be next Friday, January 22, a source close to O'Brien tells
PEOPLE. "Conan does not currently plan on doing any more new shows after next week," says the source. To add to rumbles, NBC released its post-Winter Olympics schedule -- which did not include the 'Tonight Show.' Though his departure is looking increasingly likely, NBC is insisting a departure date is not yet set.
But if Jan. 22 is indeed O'Brien's final broadcast, the show will have ended two weeks before NBC's scheduled preemption for its 2010 Winter Olympics coverage. Meanwhile,
TMZ is reporting that Jay Leno has made a new deal with NBC, which gives him 'The Tonight Show' from 11:35 - 12:35.
On Tuesday, the host
released a statement saying that he would not go along with NBC's plan for him to host a relocated Tonight Show at 12:05 a.m., following The Jay Leno Show at 11:35 p.m.
"I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is [The Tonight Show's] destruction," said O'Brien.
In his statement, O'Brien expresses deep respect for the 'Tonight Show' legacy, which includes such icons as Johnny Carson and Jack Paar, and flatly states he cannot participate in what he believes is the franchise's systematic dismantling.
"My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction."
Comments
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Thursday 14 January
By David
Good, I could not stand his show anyway.
Reply
Thursday 14 January
By linda
The other night Ringo was on Fallon. Great show. Last night, Fallon's show w/ Freddie Prinze Jr. was also excellent. Their dancing and paintball shooting was so funny.
Thursday 14 January
By m.s.
a man,,, he sucks
Thursday 14 January
By Al Schrader
The Winter Olympics are better than any of the late shows...alfred-
Thursday 14 January
By what the...
I think its pathertic of Jay to move on to this new show that tanked, and then think he should get his old job right back. Conan may not be everyones fav, but I have not heard anything terrible about his ratings, unlike Jay. Its Jays own fault for leaving. He thought he would get something better. He didn't. He made his bed, he should lie in it.
Thursday 14 January
By marcus
Well, actually Conan's ratings are about half of what Jay's were on the Tonight Show.
Thursday 14 January
By Cappy
David, David Letterman is highly entertaining. You should check him out on CBS. He's the king of late night and always will be.
Thursday 14 January
By James
Conan's departure is a good thing for the Tonight Show. Hell, cancel the whole thing and show cartoons.
Thursday 14 January
By H20rider
Give us Barabbus!
Friday 15 January
By Le Rena
I second that!
Friday 15 January
By marc
Amen to that. The main problem is that the Tonight Show is for adults. You don't put Conan the clown on a show like that. All he needed were the big shoes and a red nose. Maybe they can put him on in the afternoon for the kids to watch. He should bring a squeeze horn with him. Anyone with half a brain should have realized the show's viewers would never stand for him. But I guess tv execs don't have even that much. Just got to put something new in there no matter how dumb the idea is.
MARC
Friday 15 January
By citation1947
I think the infomercials are better than these late night shows.
Friday 15 January
By Deb
I agree. Conan is just not funny.
Friday 15 January
By rwa325
Jay Leno did NOT "make his own bed!" He never wanted to leave the 11:02-12:05 slot. NBC didn't want to lose O'Brien to FOX and promised him the Tonight Show at the end of Leno's then current contract, and pressured Leno into taking the 10:00 show.
Friday 15 January
By Michelle
Me either whew! Gald it's gone
Thursday 14 January
By pam voss
i have not watched conan once since jay was taken off the late show- i can not even stand to look at that man- it is really sad to think with all the great talent there is that he can even be on t.v.
Reply
Thursday 14 January
By GOOD LOOKING
I haven't watch Conan as well and what is this "he won't have a part of it's destruction"? What a sore loser. Bottom line, he sucked and everyone wants Leno back to late night.
Thursday 14 January
By James
Conan is a tool. A big RED tool.
Thursday 14 January
By Emily
I have to agree with the people who think Leno should lie in the bed he made for himself. Extremely unfair to have that red headed guy move his family out here then do this to him. Count me as one of the people who will not be watching the return of Leno. Looks like Letterman will be my late night choice when I have a hard time getting to sleep.
Friday 15 January
By jansimply
Hopefully they will tank David Letterman on CBS also. Neither Conan or Letterman are entertainers. They are insulting and rude. They act like filthy pedophiles. Both should go melt away somewhere hopefully in another country. They are sickening and so not funny. It is so awarding to see both of them get the lowest of ratings and taken down after the crap they have pulled on others.