The NBC Shuffle

[Teuthida]

http://www.thrfeed.com/2010/01/nbc-t...ting-bear.html

NBC is keeping the copyrighted and trademarked elements of O'Brien's shows as part of the deal. That means the bits and characters will likely never be seen after O'Brien's "Tonight" ends its run Jan 22.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/16/conan-...t-tonight-show -jay-leno/

Conan O'Brien can get a whole lot of money from NBC as a parting gift, but there will be strings attached -- not the least of which ... Conan cannot trash the network.

Sources tell us NBC wants a liquidated damages clause if Conan says anything disparaging about the network once he leaves. Essentially that means there is a clause in the contract that says Conan will automatically pay a predetermined amount of money if he says bad things about NBC.

And, as we have previously reported, NBC will demand that Conan not take another hosting job for a certain period of time.

Sources say NBC will be paying Conan a hefty sum, but that will be offset by any amount Conan makes for his next hosting gig. So if Conan makes a deal with FOX, NBC can reduce the amount it pays Conan by the amount FOX forks over.

We've learned Conan's existing contract already has an offset clause in the event he leaves NBC and takes another job.

[The Germanator]

Originally Posted by Teuthida

http://www.thrfeed.com/2010/01/nbc-t...ting-bear.html



http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/16/conan-...t-tonight-show -jay-leno/

Sounds lame. I'd love to think that Conan would just say "BS" to all these stipulations no matter what the contract says and just hammer NBC, but I understand he's worked hard not to lose that money. It's such a shitty position for him if that's how the contract really puts it. Either way, I'm sure he'll be fine and making plenty of money.