TBS promos are happily touting the Nov. 8 arrival of Conan O'Brien to the network's late-night lineup, but, according to a story in the New York Post, not everyone in Conanland is happy about the new show.

Or, rather, the new pay. The Post reports that writers on the new TBS show are unhappy that their boss' move from network to cable TV will mean a pay cut. "This is no surprise," an insider told the Post. "One show was broadcast network; the other is basic cable. It's a different pay scale. It's not just writers; it's everybody."

The Writers Guild of America is still negotiating the exact salary for O'Brien's writing staff, the Post's source says, but the writers apparently didn't consider taking a steep cut in pay since O'Brien made sure they were taken care of when he and NBC parted ways earlier this year and his short stint as 'The Tonight Show' leader ended with Jay Leno returning as host.

Since O'Brien's TBS pay is on par with his NBC salary, the writers might have thought they wouldn't have to take a hit to their salaries, either. In fact, Conan's TBS deal may turn out to be even sweeter, money-wise, than his NBC gig.

When O'Brien signed on with TBS in April to host his still-untitled series, he was given a reported $10 million per year salary. Potentially more importantly, O'Brien will own his show and pocket syndication dollars by selling the series internationally. At NBC, he was an employee with no ownership stake in his show.

On the other hand, the New York Times reported after the deal was signed that the budget for the TBS show, while still allowing O'Brien and staff to create the quality of show they want, is lower than it was at NBC, meaning, obviously, that cuts will have to come from somewhere.


Perhaps the writers were hoping the reductions wouldn't come from their paychecks, or maybe they're hoping their boss will pony up to make sure their salaries match the ones they were earning at NBC.

What do you think: Should Conan use his ownership windfall to ensure that his writers won't take a pay cut for following him to cable? Or should the writing staff accept whatever salary the Writers Guild deems fair, and be grateful they still have staff jobs on a high profile late-night series?