NBC

Josh Elliott was so disgusted with ABC ... he took a pay cut of more than a million dollars ... multiple sources connected with both ABC and NBC tell TMZ.

Our sources say ABC offered Josh between $4 and $5 million to stay, but he chose NBC despite the fact that they offered him just over $3 million.

We're told Josh was at the point of no return when Robin Roberts signed a $14 million a year contract to anchor GMA. He felt slighted by the ABC offer and just wanted out.

Sources say the feeling is mutual. As one source put it, "He's definitely an abrasive guy." Another source says, "People hated him. He was always just rude."

And get this ... we're told just weeks ago Sr. VP of ABC News James Goldston confronted Amy Robach -- Josh's replacement on GMA -- and called her "toxic" because she created tension on the set. Indeed, we're told Amy and Lara Spencer "hate" each other and can't hide their contempt.

Another source says Robin Roberts hasn't helped matters -- one person saying she acts like a "diva" on the set.

As for Josh's future ... our network sources say NBC did NOT promise Josh any role on "Today," but we're told there's no doubt he's got to the top of the heap as the likely successor to Matt Lauer.

Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell came thiiiiiis close to squashing their longstanding beef at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards -- Kel totally thought it was happening ... and then it didn't.

We caught up with Kel in Sherman Oaks Monday, and he told our camera guy he was under the impression during their segment Sunday night ... Kenan would give him a shout out.

For everyone above the age of 12 who missed it -- Nickelodeon gave one of the executive producers of "Kenan & Kel" a Lifetime Achievement award, and Thompson sent in a recorded speech where he never acknowledged working with Kel.

Sources close to Kenan say it wasn't meant to be a diss ... producers didn't tell him to mention Kel until after the piece had been filmed and he was too busy for a re-shoot.

Kel says he's not mad -- and even offers one final plea to Kenan in regard to a reunion.

David Brenner -- who holds the record for number of appearances on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson -- is on his death bed and people close to him say it's just a matter of days.

Sources close to Brenner say the 78-year-old comedian has cancer that has been aggressive ... spreading rapidly.

We're told Brenner slipped into a coma this week ... and doctors don't expect him to pull through.

David sat on Carson's couch 158 times ... and even hosted the "Tonight Show" a few times.

He was also a frequent guest on Howard Stern's radio show.

The personal injury lawyer who just got his ass sued by Judge Judy insists Judy's got her robe in a bunch for no reason -- telling TMZ, he wasn't using her image to promote himself ... he was using it to promote HER.

As we reported, Judy sued attorney John Haymond claiming he stole clips from her show to use in a commercial to promote his law firm -- but Haymond says that's just not the case.

He tells us, the commercial in question is actually for her OWN SHOW.

According to Haymond, the local ABC affiliate in New Haven, CT and NBC affiliate in Springfield recently asked Haymond -- a well-known personal injury lawyer in the area -- and his daughters to appear in the Judge Judy promo ... and he obliged.

Haymond says the promotions actually ran on the station several years ago, but recently stopped, and he's surprised the station isn't owning up. According to Haymond, "If the local affiliates would just release these Judge Judy Show promotions, everyone would see this is much ado about nothing."

Unlike the rest of the universe, Joan Rivers isn't all that curious about seeing how big Johnny Carson's penis really is in that sex tape -- because she says ... she's already seen it up close and personal.

Joan -- who guest hosted on Carson's "Tonight Show" for years -- said she and Carson had a "one night bounce" back in the day ... and he was hung like a horse.

Add Dave Chappelle to the list of people in awe of Johnny Carson's sex tape ... especially after we broke it down -- inch by inch -- for him last night.

Dave was actually in total disbelief when we told him about Carson's videotaped sex romp outside DBA nightclub in West Hollywood.

But you gotta see his face and hear his reaction when we tell him just how #blessed Carson was -- 10 inches by some reports.

Katharine McPhee's back with her hubby ... and their dogs.

It's been nearly 5 months since Katharine publicly sucked face with her married "Smash" director Michael Morris -- and sources close to the actress tell us, Katharine has been working hard to patch things up with her husband Nick Cokas.

Katharine and Nick are currently living apart -- but we're told they've been hanging out together more and more often recently ... Katharine even bought Nick a brand new Rolex as a make-good for the public humiliation.

Must have worked too -- we're told Nick's leaning toward taking her back.

What did the rooster say the morning after his wife cheated? Cuckoldoodledoo.

Jimmy Fallon's crushing his competition -- partially because NBC's making one helluva deal for celebs to come on his show, and stay off all the other networks.

It's the kind of hard bargaining ... expert negotiators can appreciate.

NBC is coming down like a hammer on celebs who want to get on Jimmy Fallon's show ... if they dare do a show on CBS or ABC ... they can forget about "The Tonight Show."

Sources connected to CBS, NBC and ABC tell TMZ ... the Peacock network believes Jimmy Fallon's ratings success gives them extreme bargaining power. They put the word out to celebs, agents and publicists ... if they want to be on Fallon they can't appear on ANY other network ... and not just shows that go head-to-head with Jimmy, but morning shows as well.

We're told NBC is saying the stars who go on Fallon are also allowed to appear on "Today," "Dateline" and any similar shows they air, but that's it.

A GMA source tells TMZ ... they've already gotten fallout from people they were trying to book.

Fallon is dominating late night .... crushing Jimmy Kimmel by bringing in more than twice the number of viewers.

"Biggest Loser" trainer Dolvett Quince still isn't happy with winner Rachel Frederickson's weight -- after she dropped from 260 to a scary 105 pounds -- but he tells TMZ, he's determined to get her healthy.

Rachel won Season 15 earlier this month ... but her dramatic weight loss shocked viewers, who claimed Rachel had lost TOO much weight, bordering on anorexic-looking.

And it appears Quince agrees -- he tells us, "We're going to get her healthy. She's going to be alright ... She's getting healthier every day."

Quince says he's still working with Rachel -- pro bono -- and has a plan to help her get better.

As if the men's USA Men's hockey team wasn't under enough pressure ... now a major porn company is making things worse -- by offering them 10 YEARS of free porn if they win gold.

... and not just any porn, HD PORN!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... Brazzers says each player on the squad will get a month-long membership to the hardcore porn site if they beat Canada today ... and if they win the gold-medal game -- they'll get a full 10-year smut pass!

That's a whooooole lotta smut.

Don't screw it up Oshie.

Bode Miller says he's NOT upset with reporter Christin Cooper ... after she pushed him so hard about the skier's dead brother during a post-race interview yesterday, he broke down in tears.

Instead, it appears Bode is placing the blame on Christin's bosses at NBC.

The interview took place moments after Bode placed 3rd in the Men's Alpine Super G event in Sochi -- when Cooper kept asking questions about Bode's bro Chilly, who passed away recently from a seizure.

Bode broke down and cried -- ending the interview ... and almost instantly, the cyber-backlash began against Cooper.

But last night, Bode went to Twitter and wrote, "I appreciate everyone sticking up for me. Please be gentle w christin cooper, it was crazy emotional and not all her fault. #heatofthemoment."

He continued, "My emotions were very raw, she asked the questions that every interviewer would have, pushing is part of it, she wasn't trying to cause pain."

Here's where it gets interesting ... 'cause a short time later, he re-posted a tweet from a fan who wrote, "Bode. It wasn't her fault. It was the fault of @NBCOlympics producers. She was being told what to ask."

Subtle, but clearly he signs off on the fan's opinion.

Legendary newsman Tom Brokaw has revealed that he's been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer ... but says he's "optimistic about the future."

74-year-old Brokaw -- who's currently a special correspondent for NBC News -- was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

According to a study by the National Cancer Institute, the 10-year survival rate for someone of Brokaw's age is 3%.

Still, Brokaw remains positive ... saying, "With the exceptional support of my family, medical team and friends, I am very optimistic about the future and look forward to continuing my life, my work and adventures still to come.”

He adds, "I remain the luckiest guy I know.”

“I am very grateful for the interest in my condition but I also hope everyone understands I wish to keep this a private matter.”

The eyes have it ... infections, that is ... and now, FINALLY, Bob Costas will take a night off from Olympics coverage so his peepers can heal up.

Costas tapped Matt Lauer to take over the hosting duties from Sochi Tuesday ... saying, "Reluctantly, I was trying to throw a complete game here, but we're going to have to go to the bullpen, and I don't know if you're aware of this tonight, but you're Mariano Rivera, at least tonight."

Bob started his Olympic coverage with what appeared to be pink eye -- it was red and swollen shut -- and after a few days it appeared the other eye came down with the P.E. too.

So, the question remains ... WHO KEEPS FARTING ON BOB'S PILLOW???

Don't expect Jay Leno to hijack "The Tonight Show" back from Jimmy Fallon ... because the ex late-night host swears he's done with TV ... FOREVER.

Jay was in West Palm Beach Florida -- but not to start his retirement. Leno was there to perform stand-up comedy just two days after his exit from "The Tonight Show."

Jay's answer may come as a surprise ... especially since he left the show in 2010 ... then famously wrangled it back from Conan O'Brien.

NBC is already distancing themselves from Jay Leno ... by erasing his name off the side of the building where he shot "The Tonight Show."

The Peacock network sent a team of painters armed with rollers and a forklift to white-out Jay's billboard -- just ONE FRICKIN' DAY after he signed off for good.

Here's what's interesting ... Jimmy Fallon's moving the show to NYC, so the net's not really under a deadline to change the signage before Jimmy takes over the reigns. Guess they just wanted to let Jay know that this "goodbye" is permanent.