O’Brien Challenges NBC’s Zucker to Settle Late-Night Dispute

Conan O’Brien’s refusal to host a later “Tonight Show” forces NBC Universal Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Zucker to negotiate a settlement with the entertainer or risk a legal fight.

O’Brien, 46, hired Hollywood attorney Patricia Glaser of Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro LLP and said yesterday he won’t host “The Tonight Show” at 12:05 a.m., a scheduling move NBC announced Jan. 10 so the network could return Jay Leno to 11:35 p.m. The comedian is challenging Zucker’s plan to stem viewer losses by moving Leno back to late night from prime time. By rejecting the change, O’Brien avoids quitting and pressures NBC. He stands to get $25 million to $50 million if the network replaces him, according to two people with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be identified. NBC maintains it has the right to move “The Tonight Show” without violating its agreement with O’Brien, just as the network does with prime-time programs such as “Heroes,” according to the people, who declined to be identified because the discussions are private.