(taken from YouTube video) |
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- More than 100 Conan O'Brien fans rallied in the rain Monday to support their favorite redheaded "Tonight Show" host.
Loyal fans armed with umbrellas gathered outside Universal Studios Hollywood to protest NBC's treatment of Conan.
The so-called "I'm with Coco" rally included a staged fight between O'Brien and Jay Leno impersonators.
O'Brien made an appearance at the rally to thank his fans. "The Tonight Show" also passed out pizzas to the screaming demonstrators.
Similar anti-NBC protests took place Monday in New York and Chicago.
WATCH VIDEO OF THE RALLY
NBC on Monday was continuing negotiations on an exit deal with O'Brien, which apparently involves a large sum of money.
O'Brien is reportedly getting a $32.5 million consolation prize from NBC to leave the Tonight Show and wait until the fall to host another show. In addition, NBC is also paying severance to Conan's "Tonight Show" employees, TMZ is reporting. In all, NBC is said to be shelling out $40 million, the site stated.
Meantime, Jay Leno turned serious Monday and addressed the late-night controversy. Leno told the audience he'd been doubtful about launching a prime-time show but was prevented by NBC from going to another network instead.
Leno said he asked to be released from his contract once he found out his prime-time show was being canceled, but NBC refused, saying he was an asset to the company.
Leno also said he agreed to return to the 11:35 p.m. EST "Tonight Show" slot only after O'Brien rejected the network's plan to put both men on in late night.
Both hosts have traded jabs on their shows while dealing with the controversy. But, Leno said it has not changed his feelings toward Conan.
"Through all of this, Conan O'Brien has been a gentleman. He's a good guy, I have no animosity toward him. This is all business," Leno said. "You know, folks, if you don't get the ratings, they take you off the air."
Leno hosted the Tonight Show for 17 years before handing it over to O'Brien last spring.
Loyal fans armed with umbrellas gathered outside Universal Studios Hollywood to protest NBC's treatment of Conan.
The so-called "I'm with Coco" rally included a staged fight between O'Brien and Jay Leno impersonators.
O'Brien made an appearance at the rally to thank his fans. "The Tonight Show" also passed out pizzas to the screaming demonstrators.
Similar anti-NBC protests took place Monday in New York and Chicago.
WATCH VIDEO OF THE RALLY
NBC on Monday was continuing negotiations on an exit deal with O'Brien, which apparently involves a large sum of money.
O'Brien is reportedly getting a $32.5 million consolation prize from NBC to leave the Tonight Show and wait until the fall to host another show. In addition, NBC is also paying severance to Conan's "Tonight Show" employees, TMZ is reporting. In all, NBC is said to be shelling out $40 million, the site stated.
Meantime, Jay Leno turned serious Monday and addressed the late-night controversy. Leno told the audience he'd been doubtful about launching a prime-time show but was prevented by NBC from going to another network instead.
Leno said he asked to be released from his contract once he found out his prime-time show was being canceled, but NBC refused, saying he was an asset to the company.
Leno also said he agreed to return to the 11:35 p.m. EST "Tonight Show" slot only after O'Brien rejected the network's plan to put both men on in late night.
Both hosts have traded jabs on their shows while dealing with the controversy. But, Leno said it has not changed his feelings toward Conan.
"Through all of this, Conan O'Brien has been a gentleman. He's a good guy, I have no animosity toward him. This is all business," Leno said. "You know, folks, if you don't get the ratings, they take you off the air."
Leno hosted the Tonight Show for 17 years before handing it over to O'Brien last spring.
