Conan Slams 'Incompetent Morons' at NBC

'Tonight Show' deal appears close for O'Brien
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 19, 2010 8:17 AM CST

Conan O’Brien came out swinging on last night’s Tonight Show, saying that while it's rumored he's “legally prohibited” from saying anything negative about NBC, "luckily they're not saying I can't sing anything." He then, naturally, took to song, crooning about the network’s “incompetent morons” during his monologue...and he didn't stop there (watch clips, including a bit on the Craigslist offers that have been pouring in for the show, and David Letterman's take, in the gallery).

Despite O’Brien’s anger, a deal appears to be close—TMZ reports the host will receive $32.5 million from NBC and can’t host another show until at least September. Conan’s Tonight Show employees will also receive severance packages, bringing NBC’s total payout to around $40 million—but any money O’Brien makes during the remainder of his contractual period from, say, Fox, will be deducted from his $32.5 million. Meanwhile, Jay Leno’s Las Vegas comedy show was forced to offer buy-one-get-one-free ticket prices—none of the other Mirage Hotel headliners have had to do so, Gawker notes. (More Jay Leno stories.)

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