Then in April, he hits the road for a cross-country comedy tour that's scheduled to last two months.

And by mid-May, he just might be anointed by Fox as its late-night leading man, when the network's program lineup for next season is officially unveiled. Rumors and reports that O'Brien was likely headed for Fox were almost instantly set swirling in January with his abrupt departure from NBC.

Since his "Tonight Show" finale Jan. 22, O'Brien has been out of sight. But next season he could be back on the air with a new late night show on Fox.

"They are definitely talking," said O'Brien representative Leslee Dart on Thursday, but added that Fox "is by no means the only place he's talking right now."

The logical moment to have a deal in place would be Fox's upfront presentation May 17. But that's two whole months from now and, lately, things have been moving very fast for O'Brien.