The next time you see Conan O’Brien on television, he could be flanked by Ryan Seacrest instead of Andy Richter. Fox and O’Brien have resumed talks about the host getting his own show on the network, The Hollywood Reporter says tonight, after a two-week stall. However, a new development in the discussions is that O’Brien has been asked to appear on Fox’s Idol Gives Back special April 21, though this apparently is completely unrelated to the negotiations about his show.
“Sources close to both camps stress that the offer is not related to the ongoing late-night discussions and in no way means the two sides expect to have a deal by April 21. In fact, the invitation to O’Brien came not from Fox but from American Idol producer 19 Entertainment, which is reaching out to several celebrities for the charity special.â€
Of course, NBC would have to approve the Idol appearance, as O’Brien’s contract with NBC restricts him from appearing on air through May 1. But we’re not going to let that destroy our dreams of a quippy Conan vs. Cowell showdown.
Conan-Fox talks resume amid ‘Idol’ offer [Live Feed/HR]