Conan O'Brien Reportedly Leaving NBC Next Week

By PopEater Staff Posted Jan 14th 2010 03:45PM

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."

Tags: conan obrien, ConanObrien, nbc, the tonight show with conan obrien, TheTonightShowWithConanObrien

Comments

(497)

Thursday 14 January

By gobluespartyon

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Jay Leno didn't back stab David Letterman that is a lie David Letterman was bitter Jay Leno was one that was going to get Tonight Show back in 92 that is a fact. NBC screwed this up big time and didn't give Conan a chance. I like both Conan & Jay there both classy people unlike Letterman who Jay never back stab so get it right.

By tie

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started disliking Jay when screwed over Letterman and now he is doing it again to Conan. Not that I even like Conan taht much but what Jay is doing is utter BS. Its like quitting your job to go elsewhere and then deciding you want your old job back so the poor slob that repaced you gets screwed. I have no respect for Leno.

By richie

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jay was let go the first time by the original backstabber- conan the cry baby

Friday 15 January

By marc

Letterman's problem is his pinko agenda. When GW was in office it was the same tired old jokes about him over and over again. I tried to watch him once a couple of years ago. Unless you believe all the liberal crap and that 9/11 was an inside job you wouldn't have found him funny. Now he can't do those jokes finally. That's more like the reason Jay got the job over him years ago. And he can't seem to keep it in his pants either like most liberals.

MARC

By bud

Leno stabs people in the back all the time. Carson, Letterman, Conan, you name it. He has no loyalty to friends or to anyone else in his chosen business. Jay is a worthless human being, and hopefully one day he will get the same treatment he has given everyone else in his life!

Jay Leno never back stab Carson or Letterman that is a lie Bud it was Letterman that back stab Leno that is a fact so get your facts right next time you claim something that isn't true. NBC is to blame for this whole mess Conan has every right to be mad at what NBC is doing to him.

By linda

I totally agree.

Gee...goblueparton what are you jays personal ass kisser feeling the need to defend him so much..truth..Leno is a piece of crap....he screwed over Letterman and now he is doing it Conan....the man will never change...

By AntBee

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"Leno stabs people in the back all the time. Carson, Letterman, Conan, you name it. He has no loyalty to friends or to anyone else in his chosen business. Jay is a worthless human being, and hopefully one day he will get the same treatment he has given everyone else in his life!"

Do you know what you are talking about or do you just enjoy ragging on others?

For you to even write the words that Jay Leno stabed Johnny Carson in the back shows me that you have no real knowledge and you are just a jerk spreading crap you know nothing about.

Go and sit down!

By Debbie

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ALL of you people who think Jay is backstabbing anyone better get your facts right. Jay is NOT the one who wanted out of the Tonight Show. NBC thought Conan would bring in higher ratings so they MOVED Jay. It was NOT jays idea. And Conan knew this...So really its Conan that screwed Jay out of his show 6 years ago when Conan signed that contract. Turn around is fair play. Letterman is just jealous because Jay gets higher ratings than he does. BRING BACK LENO....he will AGAIN be the highest watched late night king.

By Robbie L

There should be room for all of them. I like Leno the best, the smartest political and guests.

By Sherry

Jay sucks! Dave rules! Conan was screwed!

Well said!

By Jim R.

Good for Conan, he is a class act regardless of whether you like him on the show. I for one was a great fan of Leno while he was host of the late show but never watched him on his presents show because of better shows in that time slot. Hope Conan finds the right place on another network.

By rob

NBC makes all these decisions.

By San Diegan

Thanks for the heads up. Now I know when to schedule my DVR to stop recording the show. Can't wait for Conan's next endeavor. Remember Leno/NBC, Karma is a biotch. TEAM CONAN!!!

By SUE

I think this will taint the Tonight Show for Jay Leno and he will not be #1.

NBC and Leno are deperate losers to do this. I never liked Leno. Why is he so desperate? He's always travelling doing his stand up. Let him do that. He has no life but his work. Conan and Letterman are so much better with children for a reason. They're dads and have a life outside of work. Leno doesn't. He'll do whatever it takes for the money without a thought to loyalty or the feelings of others. Leno is so low, what a snake. What a shame that NBC continues to bow to a jerk and lowlife like Leno.

By sarah

man..this sucks!!..i really like conan...when he made the move to the tonight show...i think it was the first time in like 10 years i even watched it....i hope the decision to keep him is made, but if he goes to another network, so will i....team conan!!!

By ken

Don't care about either of them since I will NEVER watch the National Barack Channel (NBC) again

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