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NBC and Conan O’Brien Reach $45 million deal; Jay Leno returns in March

Truth rating: 10

12:30 pm, January 21st, 2010

BREAKING NEWS

(GettyImages.com)

UPDATE: 12:30PM -

NBC plans to air reruns of “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” between the host’s departure tomorrow and the start of the Winter Olympics, according to reports.

Jay Leno takes back the chair on March 1.

We’re guessing NBC won’t choose to air episodes like last night’s.

ORIGINAL POST – 7:56 AM

After a couple of weeks of wrangling, NBC just announced it has struck a $45 million deal with Conan O’Brien to leave “The Tonight Show.”

Under the agreement, O’Brien will receive more than $33 million, with the balance going to his staff as severance.

Conan’s last show will be this Friday, and Jay Leno will return to “The Tonight Show” on March 1.

The deal ends a two-week battle of barbs between hosts and the network. Among the many memorable lines from O’Brien was his advice to kids about fulfilling their dreams: “You can do anything you want in life. Unless Jay Leno wants to do it, too.”

Late night rivals David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel entered the fray, too, often targeting Leno and NBC.

“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,” his manager Gavin Polone said, adding, “Now he just wants to get back on the air as quickly as possible.”

According to the settlement, O’Brien can begin a new TV hosting gig as early as September. Fox has made it known that it would be interested in possibly doing a late night show with O’Brien.

Gossip Cop will update when more information emerges…

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Funkadellic/627003464 Michael Funkadellic

    33 million dollars… people have built massive empires and company’s off far less than that.
    however to a giant such as the network paying it, its a mere drop in the bucket.
    economy’s of scale etc etc… funny ol world.
    why do i get the distinct feeling Conan is going to come away from this smelling of roses ? hahaha.
    a suggestion to Conan, use this as a gift and build something that gives to and from your soul and create a legacy that will out shine petty squabbling over millions.
    how about a media school for kids from low income state schools running with complete scholarships. ?

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