• Variety, Monday, July 23, 2007 10:30 AM

It is still a couple years before Conan O'Brien takes over "The Tonight Show," but NBC is trying to figure out how to keep departing host Jay Leno in the fold after he steps down. Indeed, apart from its problems in prime time, the biggest challenge facing the network is how to make sure Leno does not stray to ABC or Fox. We want him to stay at NBC for life," says co-chairman Ben Silverman. "And [we] are aggressively trying to come up with ideas that would make Jay happy."

Although ad sales in the late night day part have been sluggish, "Tonight" generated $250 million last year, and generates about 15% of the network's profit. Leno will be just 59 when the change-over happens, and he likes to work, doing corporate and stand-up gigs in addition to the show.

"Anyone who assumes he will be playing golf would have to be completely removed from reason," says one source close to him. Leno declines to talk about his future plans, unusual for someone so press-friendly.

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