Conan sure enjoys spending NBC's money
Posted on Wed Jan 20 2010
NBC is about to start hemorrhaging money on the Olympic Games in Vancouver ($200 million in losses) and on its late-night debacle (upwards of $50 million in severance to The Tonight Show's star and staff). But they won't get any sympathy or relief from Conan O'Brien. During last night's show, coming back from a commercial break, his house band ripped into a classic Led Zeppelin tune. "It costs the network a fortune every time we play Led Zeppelin," O'Brien said of the famous rock band's licensing fees. Then he looked directly into the camera and laughed so hard that his hair helmet shook like a Jell-O mold. Actor Paul Bettany let loose with some colorful language during his interview, to which O'Brien said, "Go on, go for it, it doesn't matter." FCC fines be damned! O'Brien reportedly has only a few more days left after a seven-month run on the iconic franchise (and third-ranked network). Will Ferrell, who was his first guest in June, is slated for what may be the farewell show on Friday night. Expect an instant classic and a whole lotta Led.
—Posted by T.L. Stanley
