Conan Signs Deal; Leno Gets His Way

I'm torn about this. On one side, I'm glad Conan is getting away from NBC so he can go elsewhere and have more freedom, but on the other side, I am so f-ing pissed that frigface Leno is getting exactly what he wants. I sincerely hope he tanks in ratings when he gets his spot back. I, for one, won't be watching him. I hope others follow suit.

In a testy meeting Jan. 12, NBC threatened to prevent Mr. O'Brien from working at another network for 2½ years, the remaining term of his contract, said people familiar with the matter. Mr. Graboff asked if Mr. O'Brien would show up for work if NBC carried out plans to move "The Tonight Show." Hollywood litigator Patricia Glaser, newly added to Mr. O'Brien's team, replied that he would, but Mr. O'Brien's allies added a threat. "As they say, 'We'll see you in court,'" the comedian's manager lobbed. Mr. O'Brien's representatives marched out of the meeting. Messrs. Gaspin and Zucker then asked Universal Studios boss Ron Meyer, a former Hollywood agent, to step in as a more neutral negotiator. Working closely with Mr. O'Brien's agent, Rick Rosen, and after hours of shuttle negotiations, the two sides agreed on broad-brush terms for Mr. O'Brien's exit, including a settlement of roughly $40 million, which includes a payout for Mr. O'Brien's staff, and a provision that he can appear on a competing network after less than a year." [wsj]

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