O'Brien and NBC Halts Talks Over Staff Payments

If you scratch Conan O’Brien’s back, he’ll scratch, and possibly massage, yours. Talks between O’Brien and NBC have halted because of disagreements over The Tonight Show’s staff receiving severance compensation.

O’Brien and his soon-to-be former network practically had a done deal as of last week, with O’Brien reportedly walking away with roughly $40 million to leave his Tonight Show gig.

Now O’Brien is watching the backs of his nearly 200 staffers. According to MTV, O’Brien’s manager told TheWrap the comedian is determined to see his staff receive proper severance compensation from the peacock network.

But NBC is playing dirty. MTV reports the network released a statement to The Associated Press calling O’Brien’s efforts for his staff “a PR ploy.”

Lately, O’Brien’s ratings have been rising, and the comedian isn’t afraid to address the late-night debacle. He often comments on the situation during his Tonight Show opening monologue.

For now, the exit deal is frozen until a proper settlement is reached between NBC and O'Brien's staff.

It appears being on Team Coco has its advantages.