Conan O’Brien Reportedly Leaving NBC This Week
PopEaters.com
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 this 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.
SNL JAY LENO AND CONAN OBRIEN PARODY
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.”













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