5 Things Conan Could Do Next

(NEWSER) - After months of promoting Jay Leno's move to 10pm, NBC may shake up its prime-time schedule again, moving its late local news to 10 and Leno to 10:30, the network's onetime programming head speculates. Garth Ancier, now chief of BBC America, shared his speculation with critics at the summer press tour this week in Los Angeles, Washington Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes reports. More»

O'Brien contract talks delayed; late night trashing continues

(NEWSER) - As the late night hosts’ jabs at each other and NBC go on…and on…and on, the severance deal between Conan O’Brien and NBC continues to be delayed. TMZ reports the hold-up is over how long O’Brien will be barred from slamming the network—which he did last night...in Spanish. He also wants $600,000 added to the severance pot for his staff, which currently stands at $12 million. Still, sources say a deal should be finalized today. More»

Network starts replacing Jay Leno Show as Conan weighs options

(NEWSER) - As NBC hustles to fill Jay Leno’s 10pm time slot with a new series, rumors are flying that Conan O’Brien is ready to ditch the peacock for another network. “This level of shittiness was not expected,” a source tells the New York Post . “He moved his entire staff, he moved his family to LA. And five months later, they repay him like this? Conan would be happier somewhere else.” Insiders tell the Wall Street Journal —Fox’s sister company under News Corp.—O’Brien has already had early talks with Fox. More»

Tonight Show ad implies Conan O'Brien never belonged there

(NEWSER) - NBC aired the first promo for Jay Leno’s return to the Tonight Show last night, and it seems to include an underhanded dig at Conan O’Brien. The ad, a sequel to last year’s Super Bowl promo for the Jay Leno Show, shows a “10” decal flying off Leno’s sports car to reveal a new one: “11:35.” The mean part? The Beatles sing, “Get back to where you once belonged” in the background. More»

Buys Kentucky Derby winner and sticks NBC with the bill

(NEWSER) - Conan O'brien upped the ante last night in his war with NBC, following his $1.5 million sketch Wednesday night with one he said cost $4.8 million. He spent that amount, he said, buying Mine That Bird, the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner, putting him in a horse-sized mink snuggie, and having him watching restricted NFL Superbowl footage. Conan gleefully called the escalating bits "not so much funny as they are crazy expensive." More»