Conan: Not Possible Show Lost Money On My Watch

(CBS)  Conan O'Brien refutes NBC's contention that "The Tonight Show" he briefly hosted was losing money and also says the six months he had the show were not long enough to declare it a failure with viewers.

O'Brien appears in his first interview since being forced from his Tonight Show role in a "60 Minutes" segment to be broadcast this Sunday, May 2, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Photos: Conan O'Brien

Reminded by correspondent Steve Kroft that NBC Universal Chairman Jeff Zucker said that after six months, ratings indicated viewers did not want him on the show, O'Brien says, "In my opinion, I don't think that's fair or accurate. But he's entitled to his opinion. I think for anyone to say that the results were in after six months that doesn't ring true to me," he tells Kroft.

Also reminded that NBC said The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien was losing money, Conan refutes it. "I honestly don't see how that's possible. It's really not possible. It isn't possible."

Following are excerpts from O'Brien's "60 Minutes" interview:

Regrets?

"I don't regret anything. I don't regret one decision I made in that week and a half period," says the late night television comedian. "I wish it had ended differently. But, I'm fine. I do believe, and this might be my Catholic upbringing or Irish magical thinking, but I think things happen for a reason. I really do. And I think that this all happened for a reason," he tells Kroft.

Was He Screwed?

"The biggest thing people come up and say to me in gas stations and restaurants, I have so many people say this to me. 'Hey partner, you got screwed.' I don't, and I always tell them, 'No, I didn't. I didn't get screwed. I'm fine. It just didn't work out.' But I don't want people thinking, you know, that I got screwed. Because it just didn't work out."

Resolved His Issues?

"No, I have not resolved all my issues. I am mostly very happy. I love this tour it's the most thrilling thing I've done in my career. And so I'm in a really great place in a lot of ways. But I'd be lying if I said I don't have my moments of everything, you know, anger, disappointment, frustration and just confusion."

Speaking to Kroft about Jay Leno and his exit from the network, O'Brien says he would have left NBC rather than do what Leno did to him.

"He went and took that show back and I think in a similar situation, if roles had been reversed, I know...I know me, I wouldn't have done that," O'Brien says. "If I had surrendered The Tonight Show and handed it over to somebody publicly and wished them well and then…six months later. But that's me, you know. Everyone's got their own, you know, way of doing things," he tells Kroft.

Asked by Kroft what he would have done, O'Brien says, "Done something else, go someplace else. I mean, that's just me."

O'Brien eventually left NBC, deciding not to play second-fiddle to Leno. He says he didn't see the point in giving his all in a relationship that seemed to have no future. "I think this relationship is going be toxic and maybe we just need to go our separate ways," he says. "That's really how it felt to me…and I started to feel that I'm not sure these- people even really want me here….I can't do it [anymore]."
Produced by Deirdre Naphin

[aistanto]

You people obviously either didn't watch the interview or you just don't know what whining is. You want to see whining go check out Jay's 60 minute long pity party of an interview on Oprah.
"Nobody was sending me guests" "Jimmy Kimmel Sucker punched me." "I think to myself am I a good guy?"
At least Conan said he was fine. When did Jay ever say that he was OK in his interview?

[jeniabqcall]

What a whiner! For someone as unfunny as Conant I think over 32 million dollars is amazing. He should thank his lucky stars that we wanted Jay back. And as for your liberal take on illegals drowning....if you don't try and enter illegally you won't drown, and you won't die in the desert if you don't try and cross it.Over 70% of Arizonans approve of their new immigration bill. I think we should adopt the same type bill here in New Mexico. Go to the Emergency room at UNMH anytime and spot the illegals getting free medical care at our expense, it's ridiculous. This state has the most corrupt state government, and of course they (the Democrats)
want them here because the illegals get drivers licenses and vote in our elections, and they vote Democratic. Furthermore had it not been for ACORN and their spurious voter registration practices, Obama would have never got in. He is the most radical President we have ever had and will prove to be the worst president ever. Even worse than Carter.

[JC810]

Gee, do you think Steve showed a little bias? Come on! That interview was NOT fair to Jay Leno! Stop whining, Conan! You're $32,000,000 richer! And the show was owned by NBC, they called the shots, not Jay Leno. Plus, you took it from Jay and now you're stealing George's time slot. Hypocrite!

[pianotex]

I can't believe we are still hearing about this. Get over it already! This is show biz, and you have to have thick skin and roll with the punches. NBC might or might not have made the right decision; only time will tell. But it is their decision, and they are the ones with the money.

[star44dust]

I just watched the interview with Conan. I see him having had his heartbroken by the decision of NBC and yet he has been gracious in his comments. He is a true gentleman and a better man than the others involved in that situation. True he came out with an excess off $30,000,000. For Conan, it was not the money issue. It was the principal of the issue. It appears to me that just because Leno's 10:00 Show was crashing and NBC could not afford to fire him due to his contract of millions above Conan's contact, it was 'cheaper' to get rid of Conan. A simple fact of money. Sure Conan got the $30,000,000 but Leno would have gotten more. However, what has attracted me to Conan over Leno is how Conan has dealt with the issue....as a man with honor. Congratulations Conan. You ARE the over all winner!!!

[bogeyguy]

Still not funny. Still no talent.

[timchev]

Conan wasn't funny in the "post late night" time slot...he was even less funny in the traditional late night slot... he'll crash and burn on cable for one simple reason...he isn't amusing in the least!

[MarkTyme]

Connan says the Tonight show didn't lose money on his watch. If that's true why did NBC get rid of him? We all know the bottom line (M=O=N=E=y) drives a business. I know I didn't watch until Leno came back. Now I watch every week night. Most of my friends report the same. Connan was way too silly....he got on our nerves. Sorry his feelings are hurt, but there it is. Things don't always go your way.

[Wendyl59]

I was just wondering when was the last time I have even watched 60 Minutes. Then it came to me...when I was a wee lass still living at home. Now that was many many years ago! The best part was always the old guy at the end! is he still alive? So, you are going to have to take in that these comments come from people who were in their prime during the Ford Administration! Its the only conculsion I can come up with why its so Pro Leno here.Crybaby and whiner? He was silenced by NBC! Now he can talk and he did. I get it, its not the money. Its how we are treated.

[twinkie2007]

Wow- reading many of these other comments reminds me of how rude people can truly be. It is amazing how upset someone can get over late night television. I agree with another poster, we all have remotes, change the channel, or if you don't get up out of your chair and change the channel. We all like different things thats what makes the world go around.