Conan moving to FOX? Not so fast. Network boss Rupert Murdoch says he’s not sold on that idea that a late night variety show, featuring NBC refugee Conan O’Brien, would be a profitable investment for the network — which already hosts ratings juggernauts like American Idol and The Simpsons. The media titan told reporters Tuesday that FOX executives are divided about whether it makes financial sense to launch a late night show, TV Guide reports.
Last month, Conan ended his nearly 20 year relationship with NBC when he opted to depart his post as host The Tonight Show rather than move the franchise to a half-hour later and clear the way for Jay Leno’s return to 11:35 PM.
Speaking of Leno: In an all-new interview, airing on The Oprah Winfrey Show this Thursday, the late night veteran says there are no hard feelings between him and the guy most Americans believe Leno helped NBC send to the unemployment line, Conan O’Brien.
Now here’s something we’d pay to see: Tilda Swinton says she would be thrilled to play Conan O’Brien in a TV movie about the comic’s messy departure from NBC. During Conan’s final appearance as host on The Tonight Show last Friday, the funnyman made a joke saying that if HBO were to make a movie about the late night drama at The Peacock he would “like to be played by Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton.”
Well MovieLine.com caught up with the actress while she was promoting her new feature I Am Love at the Sundance Film Festival over the weekend, and in what will likely be music to Conan’s ears, Tilda is up for the challenge.
“I’ve heard about Conan!” Tilda squealed. “I’m so thrilled. I would just be only too happy. Yes, yes, yes, absolutely.”
In this clip from Thursday’s Tonight Show, Pee-wee Herman explains the Conan, Leno, Tonight Show mess as only he can. After reaching a $45 million deal with NBC this week, Conan will host the long-running late night program for a final time on Friday. Jay Leno will return to his post as host of The Tonight Show on March 1.
From the people who brought you “I’m F-king Ben Affleck,” comes the latest viral smash — a Ken Burns-style “documentary” on the late night battle brewing between Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel presented the new mockumentary, Late Night War, to audiences on Thursday night’s Kimmel Live.
