TVGuide reports that O'Brien's decision may be due to his NBC exit deal, which "restricts him from certain activities until Sept. 1." O'Brien is allowed to appear on television beginning May 1, but he is not allowed to speak negatively about NBC.
O'Brien will also be busy with his Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour, which is scheduled to play cities around the country April 12-June 14; his schedule would also conflict with a Tony hosting gig.
As previously reported, the 64th Annual Tony Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway, will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall June 13. CBS will telecast the three-hour evening beginning at 8 PM ET.
The events leading up to that celebration follow:
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The 2010 Tonys are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Paul Libin is chairman and Charlotte St. Martin is executive director. At the American Theatre Wing, Theodore S. Chapin is chairman and Howard Sherman is executive director. For Tony Award Productions, Alan Wasser and Allan Williams of Alan Wasser Associates are the general managers.
Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are executive producers of the 2010 Tony Awards. Weiss will also serve as director of the 2010 Tony Awards.