Conan O'Brien Signs With TBS

[romantico]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:19pm

WOW! Who saw this coming and what happened to FOX?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/12/conan-obrien-sign-with-tb_n_534222.html

[romantico]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:34pm

Damn, Conan really is a cool guy! He asked George Lopez if he was OK with Conan before signing. Who in the business has that kind of courtesy? Smart move on Lopez's part.

Sources tell TMZ the idea of bringing Conan to TBS was hatched by Turner's entertainment chief Steve Koonin. We're told Koonin went to George Lopez and said he would only approach Conan if George gave his blessing. We're told George immediately figured out that having Conan as an 11:00 PM lead-in would be nothing short of amazing for a midnight show.

With Lopez on board, we're told Koonin then approached Conan with the idea. Conan's first reaction -- he didn't want to do to someone else what was done to him, referring to NBC's decision to blindside Conan. Koonin told Conan that George had signed off, but Conan wanted to make sure. George then called Conan to reassure him he was on board and thought they would be great partners.

We're told Koonin then began negotiations last week and the deal was in days, even though the Fox deal was still alive.

As for why Conan chose TBS .... the average age of a "Lopez Tonight" viewer is 33, decades younger than the other late-night shows. TBS is the future ... so thought Conan.

And there's this ... George Lopez is saying, "I totally support Conan's decision ... We'll have the best hair in late night."

http://www.tmz.com/2010/04/12/conan-obrien-george-lopez-tbs-steve-koonin-fox-late-night/

[strummergirl]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:34pm

I think Fox probably got push-back from affiliates. Fox may have thought a lead-in show for 10 pm was necessary for a late night program rather than local news. But of all the Time Warner companies, I would have guessed HBO as the destination. Not TBS.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:51pm

Sweet - this means that I should get this in real time with the HD feed! Conan at 8pm would be a whole lotta fun!

[Luscious]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:35pm

And he'll be able to say "****". Yippee!

[Luscious]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:36pm

And he'll be able to say "s#!t". Yippee!

[Jon]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 11:06am

Fox affiliates did not want to give up their 11 PM sitcom reruns, which bring in good ratings for a small cost.