Top News:
TMZ.com:
Conan O'Brien, NBC Reach $45Mil Settlement — 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.
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Bill Carter / New York Times:
Conan O'Brien and NBC to Part Ways — Say farewell to Conan O'Brien. — After a last long night of negotiations, the deal to end Mr. O'Brien's short term as host of “The Tonight Show” was concluded with an agreement that will pay him about $32 million and free him up to return to television in eight months.
Discussion:
Dlisted, Wall Street Journal, Guardian, Gothamist, Socialite Life, New York Magazine and hollywoodbackwash.com
PopEater:
Now It's Personal: Jay Leno Jokes About Dave Letterman's Marriage — Dave Letterman teed off on Jay Leno earlier this week in relation to the NBC ‘Tonight’ mess, and now Leno is fighting back directly at his nemesis — only this time, it's personal instead of business.
Adalian / The Wrap:
Exclusive: Conan, NBC Officially Splitsville — From an NBC spokeswoman: — “NBC confirms a deal is signed and an official announcement will be made this morning.” — ORIGINAL POST 3 AM CDT/ 1 AM PST — Our long national late-night nightmare is over.
Stephen M. Silverman / People.com:
Conan O'Brien, NBC Seal the Deal for His Exit — Amid unconfirmed reports that Conan O'Brien will pocket upwards of $40 million to leave his 7-month gig as Tonight Show star, NBC on Thursday morning confirmed that it and the red-haired host have reached an agreement for him to exit the late-night franchise …
Discussion:
The Superficial
People.com:
Tara Reid Is Engaged! — Tara Reid and boyfriend Michael Axtmann were having dinner at The Little Door restaurant in Los Angeles on Monday night when Axtmann asked for something not on the menu: Reid's hand in marriage. — “Michael surprised Tara with a beautiful round brilliant cut ring,” the actress's rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Us Weekly:
Heidi Montag Album Sells Less Than 1,000 Copies — Heidi Montag's debut album may have set a record — just not a good one. — In its first week of release, The Hills star's album, Superficial, has sold less than 1,000 copies, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
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Us Weekly:
BREAKING NEWS: Survivor Contestant Jennifer Lyon Dies at Age 37 — Jennifer Lyon, a contestant on Survivor Palau, has died at age 37, UsMagazine.com has confirmed. Lyon finished in fourth place in the reality competition's tenth season, which aired in 2005.
Discussion:
From Inside the Box, The Hollywood Gossip, ImNotObsessed.com, Extra, Celebrity Smack!, Right Celebrity, Fancast News and omg!
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msnbc.com:
Edwards admits fathering child with mistress — Former presidential candidate promises to support his 2-year-old daughter — John Edwards' attorneys say he's been providing financial support for 2-year-old Quinn for about a year, and just signed a child support agreement with Rielle Hunter.
Roger Friedman / The Hollywood Reporter:
‘We Are the World’ Sequel Set to Aid Haiti — EXCLUSIVE: This column has learned that Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie are planning a massive 25th anniversary re-recording of “We Are the World.” — The timing couldn't be better, sadly enough. — The duo is summoning lots and lots of talent …
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Michael Ausiello / The Ausiello Files:
Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on ‘Lost,’ ‘Glee,’ ‘True Blood,’ ‘Gossip Girl,’ and more! — Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you're dying to share? Just want to say hi? You can send any/all of the above to ausielloscoop@ew.com — Question: How about you try something new in Ask Ausiello this week and talk about Lost.
TMZ.com:
Jon Cryer - FBI Investigating Alleged Death Threat — Jon Cryer — who stars with Charlie Sheen in “Two and a Half Men” — told authorities his life was in danger — possibly by a hitman — and TMZ has learned the FBI is investigating. — Cryer sounded the alarm last Friday.
Kristin Dos Santos / E! Online:
Gossip Girl Catastrophe: The Spoiler That Will Break Your Heart — Do not under any circumstances read this item if you love Gossip Girl and you don't want to be spoiled for a huge/major/giant tragic plot twist that's coming toward the end of the season. — No one is getting killed off …
Cajun Boy / ANIMAL:
Here's a Better Look at the Goods Possessed by Scott Brown's ‘Available’ Daughters — A tipster who is friends with Scott Brown's daughter Ayla was nice enough to send us this photo of her and her sister Arianna posing with their now-Senator Dad while clad in sexy bikinis.
Kendra Wilkinson:
HOW CUTE?!? — OMG he's just so cute while he sleeps I couldn't help myself!!! All I want to do is sit around and look at him all day long lolol. Love my lil jock
Michael Schneider / Variety:
Adult Swim orders lots of ‘Chicken’ — Cabler renews ‘Robot’ for 40 more episodes — Adult Swim has locked in its top-rated franchise for another two seasons, handing a whopping 40-episode order to “Robot Chicken.” — The mega-renewal keeps “Chicken” on the channel for a fifth and sixth season.
Dave McNary / Variety:
Epstein, Friedman to direct ‘Lovelace’ — Pic is based on iconic porn star from 1972's ‘Deep Throat’ — Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman have lined up indie biopic “Lovelace” as their second directing gig, just before the premiere of “Howl” — which the duo wrote and directed — at Sundance.
Rob Shuter / PopEater:
No Haiti Telethon Invite for Kanye West — Kanye West sadly will not be helping George Clooney and his pals raise funds for the earthquake victims in Haiti, as the foot-in-mouth rapper's reputation has kept him from getting an invite to the event, according to my sources. Who can blame the producers for the snub?
Discussion:
New York Magazine
Us Weekly:
Rosie O'Donnell Snaps: Jay Leno is a “Bully” Who Can't “Let Go” — Rosie O'Donnell is definitely not on Team Leno — and she has elaborate comparisons to explain why. — At Tuesday's Manhattan screening of A Family is a Family is a Family: A Rosie O'Donnell Celebration, O'Donnell tore into Jay Leno …
Michelle Tauber / People.com:
Brittany Murphy's Husband: Prescription Meds Were Mine — The husband of Brittany Murphy says the late actress had “laryngitis and flu-like symptoms” at the time of her sudden death on Dec. 20 - but was not suffering from seizures, as has been reported. — In his first interview since …
Kristin Dos Santos / E! Online:
Insiders Reveal Why Rob Estes and Jennie Garth Are Leaving 90210 — Jaimie Trueblood/The CW; Patrick Ecclesine/The CW — He's a goner. — The CW confirms that Rob Estes will no longer be a part of 90210 as of next season. — Though widespread reports have it that Rob Estes has …
TMZ.com:
‘American Idol’ Hooligan — Cuffed and Released — The guy who was led out of “American Idol” in handcuffs on last night's show got a lucky break after the cameras stopped rolling — producers let the guy off the hook. — TMZ has learned 28-year-old Jarrod Norrell …
Will Welch / GQ Magazine: GQ:
Victoria's (Best Kept) Secret — Miranda Kerr was the first Australian model to join that superhot clique, the Victoria's Secret Angels. (Why her? See photos.) Yes, she dates the wimpy Orlando Bloom. But we'll try not to hold that against her — Before I interview 26-year-old model Miranda Kerr …