Hate! Hate! Hate!

According to multiple sources, the current stall between O’Brien and NBC reaching a severance deal is over a provision which prohibits Conan from trashing NBC. You have to remember that if you can’t say something nice, then don’t say nothing at all. After all, Conan should pick on someone his own size.

Let me get this straight. NBC still fears a negative public image? I would have assumed that the mockery of NBC over the last couple of weeks is plenty enough to entirely destroy the reputation of the network. They can’t even get their listing straight!

A mass production of insults have been hurled at one and the other over the past couple of weeks, so it’s tough to say who is acting like the “big baby.” According to one source, Conan is griping about the amount of severance NBC is paying his staff. Conan may lose his job, but he will not lose his Ferrari in the process, as the source tells us that O’Brien will land a cool $32.5 million for his troubles. However, the rest of the staff will only see around $7.5 million, which is just not cool with Conan. 

Conan’s lawyers also want $600,000 added to the staff’s severance pot, but NBC is balking. Network sources say it’s such a small amount that Conan is really just posturing to make himself look good. When was $600,000 ever a small amount? I know we are talking TV figures here, but NBC could use ever penny they can get. This is especially true, given the network believes it can make $40 million in profits off of Leno the first year he’s back, but would lose $5 million if Conan stayed on the air.

Does NBC make a great point or are they a bunch of selfish pencil pushers?

You make the call.

Let me get this straight. It was only a few months ago that NBC made the very smart move (in my opinion) to replace Jay Leno with his follow-up act, the often hilarious Conan O’Brien. Then, NBC decided to keep Leno around with the unprecedented “early late night show.”

Was it merely too much “talk” or just the fact that Jimmy Fallon was dubbed the replacement for Conan’s show? Yes, I thought the Jimmy move was completely idiotic, but it turns out Leno is creating more of the problems than Fallon.

Make that all of the problems.

Leno is unwilling to let go. I’ve always thought he was a funny dude, but when he opted to return to NBC in his new role, he not only destroyed his reputation but the reputation of “The Tonight Show.”

Somewhere…David Letterman is laughing.

‘In an assistant’s snatch?’ Come on now, that was just low.

O’Brien is right, the move to the 12:05 slot will destroy the reputation of “The Tonight Show.” He also has reason to be upset. O’Brien is a truly talented and funny individual, but that Jay Leno keeps getting in his way.

O’Brien just released a candid letter to the “People of Earth,” in which he addresses his “personal disappointment” in losing the show. Conan adds, “The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t The Tonight Show.” Conan also rips NBC, claiming the network promised him the opportunity to build a lasting audience, but “sadly, we were never given that chance.”

He makes a fantastic point. NBC completely left Conan out to dry. They promised him a big promotion after years of doing the dirty work on “late, late night” and now they’re shipping him right back to where he came from. It’s a mail-ordered bride gone bad.

Sadly, O’Brien appears stuck with NBC. In the letter, he admitted that he has yet to receive any other offers from other networks which means he’ll likely stick with NBC.

Thanks Jay.

While the secrets will remain until the show airs, here are the top ten reasons you should tune in tonight. Thanks to Popeater for supplying the top ten list. Thanks to Hulu for the rocking vids.