While NBC negotiates with Conan O'Brien over his fate with the network and beyond,
TMZ is reporting that the network has struck a deal with Jay Leno for his return to the
helm of the "Tonight Show":
Jay Leno has made a new deal with NBC, which gives him "The Tonight Show" from
11:35 - 12:35 ... sources tell TMZ.
NBC sources deny the deal to the Hollywood Reporter's Nellie Andreeva.
TMZ reported earlier this week that Leno's contract for "The Jay Leno Show" specified
the 10PM time slot, while Conan O'Brien's "Tonight Show" contract did not specify
11:35. TMZ now reports that "Conan O'Brien is out, and Jay is restored."
Nikki Finke reported earlier Thursday that NBC honcho Jeff Zucker had threatened to
keep Conan off the air for the remaining 3.5 years of his contract after he rejected the
network's offer to host the "Tonight Show" at 12:05 AM.
