Jay Leno told Oprah what he already told TMZ -- that he and Conan O'Brien haven't said a word to each other since the beginning of the NBC mess.


In a preview of his big one-on-one with Oprah, Jay says he wanted to have a convo with Conan -- but thought "it didn't seem appropriate."

NBC may have defanged Conan O'Brien by getting back in bed with him.

The network just picked up an hour-long pilot produced by Conan O'Brien's company, Conaco, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The pilot -- "Justice" -- is centered around a Supreme Court justice who resigns from the Court to open a private law practice.

So Conan -- who would have put NBC on the no-fly list if he could -- apparently isn't that bothered about doing business with the network he says screwed him.

Interesting.

Conan O'Brien delivered his last monologue as host of "The Tonight Show" -- and it was full of the usual self-deprecating humor ... and a few shots at his now former employer.



And Conan delivered this touching thank you to his fans before performing "Free Bird" with Will Ferrell.

Conan O'Brien just finished taping his final episode of "The Tonight Show" -- and between the jokes, audience members described the scene as "somber."

We're told that during the commercial breaks, crew members were saying goodbye to each other. Conan closed the show by playing guitar with Will Ferrell -- they performed "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

There was a surprise guest -- we won't ruin it for you, but he's on an NBC show that's really very funny.

So that narrows it down to like three.

Conan O'Brien is a total fraud -- and so is the horse he rode in on.



On last night's show, Conan claimed he blew $4.8 million dollars on a gag in which he trotted out Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird -- problem is, Conan's horse wasn't the REAL Derby winning horse ... of course, of course.

TMZ spoke with Mine That Bird's trainer, Chip Woolley, who told us, "That was not the real Mine that Bird last night, it was an imposter."

Woolley added, "The real Mine That Bird is up at the ranch in New Mexico resting up before he gets back to racing in the summer."

One thing is definitely real -- NBC really will seriously have to pay up after Conan played a long clip of a Rolling Stones song in a similar attempt to blow NBC's budget.

Conan O'Brien signed a deal promising to lay off ripping NBC -- but judging from last night's show, it probably hasn't taken effect yet.


Last night, the exiting late night host said he was "determined to make the best of the situation" and "tonight and tomorrow we're gonna have a lot of fun on television."

He also went over some secret terms of his parting deal -- one which says he stay at least 500 yards of 11:30 at all times.

Tonight is Conan's last night. Sad face.

NBC has finally announced what TMZ has been reporting for days -- Conan O'Brien will be a free man on September 1.

NBC released a statement moments ago, officially announcing Conan's last appearance on "The Tonight Show" will be tomorrow.

NBC noted that the deal -- struck today -- will free Conan to "pursue other opportunities after September 1, 2010."

NBC will run Conan O'Brien reruns beginning Monday ... sources tell TMZ.



As we first reported, NBC execs like the idea of "Tonight Show" reruns because they fill the time before the Olympics and they won't have a problem with Conan trashing the network.

The reruns will begin Monday and go through February 11.

NBC execs are seriously considering keeping Conan O'Brien on the air after Friday -- in reruns.



Sources tell us the Network doesn't want to introduce a new host for the few weeks leading up to the Olympics. So NBC's plan A -- cherry picking shows from Conan's vault.

Here's the "screw you" part of the equation -- NBC can pick shows in which Conan does not trash the network and does not appear bitter. NBC is hoping the animosity between Conan and NBC will fade a bit.

Conan O'Brien and NBC worked out their final conflict hours ago and have reached a $45 million settlement ... and we've learned it's a sweeter deal for Conan than anyone thought.

Network sources tell TMZ the "mitigation" clause was taken off the table. Translation -- Conan will get a severance of $32.5 million, regardless of whether he gets another hosting gig. Not bad for seven months work.

As we first reported, NBC will pay $7.5 million to Conan's "Tonight Show" staff -- and our sources believe the network added several thousand more to the pot at the last minute.

In addition, NBC will pay a whopping $4.5 million to the executive producer.

Conan has agreed he will not take another hosting gig 'till September at the earliest.

Conan's last show is Friday. We're told NBC hasn't decided who will replace Conan for the period between Monday and the Winter Olympics.

Conan O'Brien's negotiations with NBC are dragging on ....

Sources say they thought the deal would be wrapped up Wednesday night, but it didn't happen. As we reported, the outstanding issue involves an additional $600,000 in severance Conan wants NBC to pay his staff.

We're told NBC has made it clear to Conan -- if he agrees not to raise other issues, NBC will capitulate on giving the staff more money.

Sources now say they think a deal can be struck Thursday morning. We'll see.

NBC has already agreed to pay Conan $32.5 million. His executive producer will get $4.5 million and the rest of the staff will get a total of $7.5 million.

NBC, we're told, still views the deal as a bargain, because in the 55-year history of "The Tonight Show," a full year with Conan would have been the first year NBC did not score a profit off the show.