Conan And NBC Sign Departure Deal

Finally, Conan O'Brien — with just two more nights behind his Tonight Show desk — has reached an agreement with NBC. According to the NY Times, negotiations went into the night and resulted in a deal that will pay him about $32 million and allow him back on the small screen in 8 months time. The deal was signed around 1 a.m. PCT, and the Wall Street Journal reports that he also secured about $12 million for his staff.

Other details are still unclear, but it's rumored to include a nondisparagment clause, for both parties involved (hopefully this means O'Brien gets to keep Triumph). His manager said, "In the end, Conan was appreciative of the steps NBC made to take care of his staff and crew, and decided to supplement the severance they were getting out of his own pocket. Now he just wants to get back on the air as quickly as possible." (Yesterday the network said the late night host vying for money for his crew was a "PR ploy.")

O'Brien will host his final farewell show Friday, joined by guests Will Ferrell, Tom Hanks, and musical guest Neil Young.

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on January 21, 2010 9:33 AM

Comments [rss]

Ryan

Here is a song from a fan in response to the debacle.

Conan Rally Song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeKMyhFf4bE

Såkandulæredet

I found this funny vid clip on huffpo, apparently Conan's new bit is to just blow NBC money. Scroll down for the video.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/21/conan-blowing-nbcs-money_n_430883.html

babyhitler

Here's hoping Neal Young does the Fresh Prince of Belair song.

Avaz383

it was gonna be 4 mil for the staff until Conan took 8 mil out of his severance. very classy, and yes, very nice, since my severance was only 2 weeks of pay...

Avaz383

weird, that shouldn't have been a reply to the neil young comment...

NannyState

How long before COCO is waist-deep in COCA?

Rocknrope

Hmmm, so 12 Million for a staff of roughly 200 is an average of 60K per staffer for 8 months of lounging before he's back on the air. Not bad, but certainly not a golden parachute for the minions.

EastRiver

I assume when/if Conan signs a new deal the staff will be hired to start putting together the new show. They could be back on a payroll by late spring if he were to start broadcasting in the fall.

Spirit of 76

That gives his writers eight months to come up with some funny material. Think they can deliver?

Who knows, maybe they'll be able to think up a way around this non-disparagement clause. Hey, it says Conan can't talk trash about NBC, but they can't control and censor the guests, right?