Whoops: Conan's Lawyers Never Specified Time Slot

When Conan O'Brien took on hosting duties of The Tonight Show, he had a team of lawyers negotiating his terms. Unfortunately, they neglected to specify a time slot, meaning NBC could put Conan on at whatever time they wanted, as long as he was still hosting The Tonight Show.

According to Business Insider this means Conan can't switch to another network without "voiding his contract and passing on the tens of millions of dollars he would otherwise be owed." If he sticks it out for two more years at NBC, he can go to whatever network he wants, $45 million richer.

NBC is currently trying to hold on to all of their late night talent — Leno, Conan and Fallon — but Ben Grossman of Broadcasting and Cable trade publication told CNN, "That's very expensive and a very questionable strategy."

Meanwhile, Jay Leno addressed the shuffle on his show last night, saying, "Supposedly we're moving to 11:30. Even this is not for sure. My people are upset. Conan's people are upset. Hey, NBC said it wanted drama at 10:00 — now they've got it! Everyone's mad." Conan used his monologue to burn the network, however, addressing his audience with quips like: "Good evening, everybody. I'm Conan O'Brien, the new host of Last Call with Carson Daly" and "NBC announced they plan to lose $200 million on the Winter Olympics next month. Folks, is it just me, or is that story hilarious?"

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on January 12, 2010 9:15 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Conan just fired off a letter to NBC saying "I cannot participate in the Tonight Show and contribute to its destruction."

Spirit of 76

But if Conan gets pushed back to 12:30, it wouldn't be the Tonight Show anymore, would it? It would be the Tomorrow Morning Show.

eyekantspel

If Conan really wanted to litigate, I think there would still be a live issue as to what the parties meant by "The Tonight Show." Arguably the time slot is inexorable from the show.

JMH

I'm pretty sure the word you were looking for was "inseparable" or maybe "inextricable" but I'm with you on your general premise. (I can't imagine it'd be worth it to litigate, as it'd probably take the better part of those two years to get things resolved, though.)

Tien

What about the "talent" that is Carson Daly? I read somewhere that his show would get cut if Conan was moved back because of affiliate programing agreements. Not that this is a tragedy or anything.

jchez

Craig Ferguson was the first to point this out. On the day before the principals had time to comment on the mess, Ferguson quipped, "Won't somebody think of Carson Daly?"

The audience roared with laughter.

Manitoba

I wish I could bitch and moan and make $45 mil. Given that he was an overrated Simpsons' writer, I think he should shut up and collect his undeserved paycheck.

glen glenn

urge to kill ... rising

ProcedureTurn

Conan.... your lawyer done fk'ed up.

Go back to 12:05/12:30 where you belong...

GOP

Genius move by NBC, in my opinion. Conan's show is gonna rock now because he's not gonna give a shit anymore. So he's gonna push the envelope like he did with his 12:30am show.

Kojak

They should ditch Fallon. The man is not funny.

NannyState

He's not even a man.

ProcedureTurn

Yep.

Fallon sucks.

GalBklyn

It's a rare breed of lawyer who can hone in on what issue is truly important to their client and insure that there are no loopholes which would imperial said issue. Most lawyers just nod their head at what ever is thrown at them, delay returning the opposing sides calls, and then finally making a few adjustments here or there to make it look like they did something. Then they get paid.

Big law does it again.

Sorry for your loss Conan. NBC - well, we can post for days as to the dangers of thinking you are a peacock.