Despite NBC and Conan O'Brien's Team Coco throwing barbs at one another, it appears that there may be a defector in the Team Coco camp, according to Movieline.

Movieline reports that Conan O'Brien bandleader Max Weinberg, who is also the longtime primary drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, has been making some rumblings about taking the "Tonight Show" bandleader position after Kevin Eubanks exits.

Eubanks announced his plans to depart from "Tonight" in February. NBC wouldn't comment on the Weinberg-"Tonight Show" rumors.

Conan is in the midst of planning his summer comedy tour, bringing along some of the Max Weinberg 7 bandmates. But, Weinberg himself isn't part of the tour. No word on what the E-Street Band will be doing this summer. .

http://www.movieline.com/2010/04/exclusive-does-max-weinberg-want-to-be-jay-lenos-new-bandleader.php

1) This item might be a rumor.
2) If not, then why would Max want to become musical director for the man who helped drive Conan off NBC in the first place? Money? Stock in NBC/Universal? A tentative side deal with "Old Scratch"?
3) Now that Conan is definitely returning to TV this November (on TBS), don't you think he'd want faithful, loyal Max back behind the drums in some permutation of the "Max Weinberg 7" for the new show?
4) Isn't it time for you to be in bed?


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