RIALTO CHATTER UPDATE: Conan O'Brien and Tony Awards
By: Rialto Chatter Mar. 29, 2010
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Nikki Finke at Deadline.com revealed yesterday that "Sources tell me tonight CBS tried to hire Conan O'Brien to host this year's Tony Awards on June 13th. But he had to turn down the offer because of the restrictions NBC put on his activities until September 1st in exchange for that giant $40 million payout for himself and his Tonight Show staff."
It seems theater lovers and Conan enthusiasts may have to wait until Tony Awards 2011 for a possible Conan appearance, as he is, in fact prohibited from appearing on television until September as part of his severance deal with NBC. Kinke posts today on Deadline.com that according to "team Conan sources": "he can't do that kind of thing until September. And you should ask what they are afraid of his saying that they have to gag him anyway? Seems like a lot to spend to keep someone quiet, if that is their intent. If he did the Tony's and didn't make jokes about The Situation, it would be lame. He won't take any job if he doesn't think he'll be great."
The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards will air on CBS on Sunday, June 13th from 8:00 - 11:00 PM (ET/PT time delay). The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing.
Following is a list of this year's official Tony events:
Thursday, April 29th
OFFICIAL CUT-OFF FOR 2009-2010 TONY ELIGIBILITY
Tuesday, May 4th
2010 TONY AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT live. A complete list of the 2010 nominees will be available at www.TonyAwards.com on May 4th.
Wednesday, May 5th
The annual MEET THE NOMINEES PRESS RECEPTION
Thursday, May 20th
The exclusive TONY NOMINEES LUNCHEON is a chance for the nominees to celebrate each other's achievements and receive their nomination certificates. This event is closed to the media.
Sunday, June 13th
THE 64th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS take place at Radio City Music Hall. The three-hour ceremony will be broadcast live (ET/PT time delay) on the CBS Television Network from 8:00 - 11:00 PM.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
Videos