It appears that NBC is going to hold Conan O'Brien to his word and allow him to leave the network, now that Jay Leno will move back to 11:30 p.m. barring some unforeseen hiccup like a global apocalypse or Jesus becoming Conan's new agent.

The Daily Beast reports that "knowledegable sources" said that if Conan leaves the network, he will be free to appear on other networks under his NBC contract and interested parties are negotiating a payout.

Apparently, the whole mess started by NBC, beyond their going back on their word that Conan could keep The Tonight Show, was over the size of the payout for Conan. The sources don't say the size or even the range of the payout, but rest assured that the actual amount could totally cover the tab you racked up at your local Hooters. You know who you are.

It was big news this week about Charlie Gibson retiring. Later on, when the headline flashed that Charlie was "livid" that Diane Sawyer was chosen to succeed him at the ABC World News anchor desk, I have to admit I was stunned. Why on earth would Charlie Gibson be so vexed by his former Good Morning America partner taking on the job he had chosen to give up?

The Daily Beast story claimed that his reaction came from a unnamed source, and that's what Variety's BLTV was writing about today. He suggested that perhaps the reporter, Rebecca Dana, had relied too much on scuttlebutt and chose to believe that Gibson was ticked off and, thus, went with the story.

Meet the Press, NBC's venerable (six decades!) political affairs news program and a staple of Sunday morning TV, has been in flux ever since the untimely death of Tim Russert. Tom Brokaw has been sitting in the big chair, brought out of semi-retirement and keeping the show together in Tim's stead. But NBC has confirmed that Brokaw is leaving on December 7. They have not confirmed who will become the new face of Meet the Press.

Last week, Bob speculated about Ted Koppel joining NBC to anchor the show, and he was certainly be a credible choice. Tina Brown at The Daily Beast web site has another idea; she says that Rachel Maddow should take over Meet the Press.

My first reaction to Brown's idea was, "No, not Rachel." But that was just because I wouldn't want Rachel to give up The Rachel Maddow Show, her prime time MSNBC show. I enjoy her daily take on the world of politics. She's smart, insightful, a good interviewer, and despite her liberal leanings, surprisingly critical of the left. She could bring all the critical thinking to MTP.

I love seeing celebrities dressed up for Halloween. Some of them go all out and look rather crazy. A lot of celebs don't wear anything because they don't want to mess up their hair or be caught dead in anything but Prada. Once in a while a celeb that doesn't go the costume route will put on a mask, like Elvis Presley in this photo. It's one of many photos that The Daily Beast has in a new Halloween gallery.

Alfred Hitchcock doesn't really have a costume, more like a prop. You can almost hear what he said to the crew. Look, I'll stand behind this atrocious pumpkin structure and hold a broom, but I am not going to wear a costume.

Looks like it was shot on the set of Alfred Hitchcock Presents maybe (it was 1958)?