Here is the full text of the statement released by Tonight Show Conan O'Brien this afternoon, confirming that he would not accept a 12:05 a.m. time slot for his show and would not follow Jay Leno at 11:35 p.m.

People of Earth: In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision. (more...)

Team Conan.

Conan O'Brien's kiss-off letter to NBC is going to make him a hero, not only to people who started off loving him (and watching him!) and not only to creative types sick of being pushed around by The Man. It's because he's been cast as the underdog here, unfairly subject to the failings of Jay Leno both as a stand-alone 10 p.m. show and as a crappy lead-in for the Tonight Show.

Conan's statement is funny, but principled and resolute, and this will only add to the popular support he's received as this story has unfolded. It will also add to the Leno backlash. (more...)

video The news yesterday was that Conan O'Brien was not happy about NBC's shenanigans. On his own show, he joked about it, zinging NBC with a much lighter touch than Leno, but still. "Welcome to the show everybody," he greeted the crowd, which seemed to cheer for him extra-long at the start. "We've got a great show tonight - I have no idea what time it will air, but it's gonna be a great show." (more...)

Who: Dick Wolf, Rene Balcer, S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston (Law & Order), moderated by Pat Mitchell What: The Inside Media series’ “Law & Order: Twenty Years and Counting” Where: The Paley Center for Media When: November 16, 2009 Thumbs: Up (more...)