The TV Zone

And speaking of parties, NBC held one for the press and advertisers last night over at 30 Rock under a tent; theme was "The NBC Experience," and the whole point was to remind everyone that NBC was still in business even though it was not unveiling a new fall schedule this week along with all the other networks. (NBC took the wraps off its lineup in April ...)

Conan O gave a few remarks to those assembled, and here are some outtakes: Since NBC always liked to be ahead with announcements, he wanted to take the opportunity to say that he would be retiring in 2025 from "The Today Show"; (at that time, he'll be relaxing with his third wife and planned to "audition for [my] second wife right after this speech..."

He mused on NBC's choice of a tent for the party: For previous upfronts, the network had thrown galas in wonderful places: One had been held a few years back at some "historic" venue, then another the following year at the "hallowed" Radio City Music Hall ... "Now we're all sweating under a tent; please join us next year when we're at the falafel stand on 42nd Street."

He gave a nod to his successor, Jimmy Fallon, in the crowd; JF takes over at "Late Night" when CO moves to "The Tonight Show." He then said: "Because of a great negotiation and a very good agent, this show will still be called 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' after I leave ... "

And because there's a YouTube for everything...here's the YouTube...

(Above: MSNBC pix of CO; no monkey suit or mustache last night, though.)