Sam Champion Me and My Hubby Want Kids ... and I Want Some POWER!!

Sam Champion is leaving ABC's "Good Morning America" partly because he and his hubby want to start a family and partly because of his thirst to become a honcho ... ABC sources tell TMZ.

Our sources ... who are extremely familiar with the situation ... say Sam has been chronically unhappy at GMA. We're told he wanted his own show -- badly-- but ABC execs weren't biting.

So, Sam jumped to the Weather Channel (which is co-owned by NBC), where he will anchor the network's new flagship morning show and also serve as managing editor.

Our sources say Sam wanted to be the one who replaced Larry King at CNN and he was shocked when he wasn't tapped. As one source put it, "Sam loves power, and becoming managing editor (of the Weather Channel) gives him that."

Oh, by the way, our NBC sources say Al Roker -- NOT a Sam fan -- is "pissed" his Weather Channel show will be Sam's lead-in.

Another reason Sam bailed from GMA is that he and his husband want kids and the hubby refuses to leave Florida (GMA is in NYC).

We're told Sam will be spending about half his time in Miami so the kids will know his face in person and not just on the tube. As for moolah, we're told its a lateral move. Our sources say Sam was pulling in around $2.5 mil at GMA and he'll be making around the same at the Weather Channel.

$2.5 mil for weather ... now THAT'S making it rain!!!

'The Office' Auction NBC Selling Show's Old Crap

In the market for some cool "Office" supplies? Well you're in luck, 'cause some of the most iconic props from the sitcom have hit the auction block ... from hats, to business cards and even a DUNDIE AWARD!!

It's all going down on eBay -- where stuff like Dwight Schrute's famous Dundie Award, the kettle drum Michael Scott used to annoy "Office" staff and Phyllis Vance's knitting set are all up for grabs.

What you won't see -- the shark that the show jumped over when Steve Carell left in 2011.

'Office' Star Sorry Jim, Pam, Dwight ... I Didn't Watch the Finale

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He was the CEO of Dunder Mifflin ... he terrorized Andy Bernard ... but former "Office" star James Spader tells TMZ he just didn't care enough about the show to watch the series finale back in May.

A well-dressed Spader -- who played Robert California on the NBC sitcom -- was hanging out at Comic-Con yesterday when he asked if he enjoyed the way the show wrapped up after 9 seasons on the air.

"I didn't see it," Spader revealed ... which is kinda shocking considering he was a major character on the show for all of Season 8. He was essentially hired to replace Steve Carell.

So why didn't he watch the finale? Was it a diss? Was he just really busy? Or, like the rest of America, did he just get bored with the storyline?

The U.K. finale was better anyway.

'Today' Show Anchor We Won't Let Knife Attack Change Our Show

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The "Today" show will NOT STOP shooting segments outside the studio ... despite this morning's frightening incident with a knife-wielding man ... this according to co-anchor Natalie Morales.

Morales was leaving the studio after the show today (which happens to be her birthday) ... when she told us why she believes the show MUST continue to feature outdoor segments.

"It's part of our identity as the show," Morales said ... "We'll still be out there."

Morales also gave credit to the show's security team -- which took down the man when he started cutting himself in front of the crowd.

'Today' Show Man Slashes Wrists During Live Broadcast

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A man slashed his wrists Thursday during a live broadcast of the "Today" show.

It happened as Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie were outside in Rockefeller Plaza. The man -- who is in his 50s -- slashed both his wrists and his forearms. NBC's cameras didn't show the incident, but several people in the crowd captured photos and video.

The New York Daily News obtained a photo of the man as he attempted to cut himself.

Immediately afterward, the show moved inside the studio. Matt talked about the incident on the air ... saying the man only wanted to harm himself and no one else.

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As for the man ... he was taken to the hospital and he's in stable condition.

Kathie Lee Gifford If Matt Leaves 'Today' ... We'll Revolt!

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Kathie Lee Gifford says there will be a "revolt" at NBC if the powers that be allow Matt Lauer to leave the "Today" show, telling TMZ ... she'll do whatever it takes to keep him around.

Kathie Lee was leaving Rockefeller Center in NYC Monday morning when she made it clear -- she thinks Matt has been unfairly demonized in the media in the wake of Ann Curry's firing.

Kathie tells us, she wanted to buy a full page ad in an NYC newspaper defending her longtime co-worker, but Matt talked her out of it.

Bottom line, if Lauer ever gets ousted ... Kathie no happy.

'Good Morning America' Throws 'Today'-Crushing Gloat Party

For the first time in 16 years, ABC's "Good Morning America" edged out NBC's "Today" in the morning show ratings last week -- and this morning, ABC News rubbed it in NBC's face ... throwing a champagne-popping victory party.

All the big swinging chicks at ABC were present ... including Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer, and Lara Spencer -- in addition to ABC News President Ben Sherwood, Senior EP Tom Cibrowski, former "GMA" host Charlie Gibson, George Stephanopoulos, Sam Champion ... pretty much the whole crew.

We're told Robin Roberts toasted the entire "GMA" team, saying, "We're the face of it, but it's all you. Everyone in this building is a team."

We're guessing the "Today" staff got bagels.

Matt Lauer Jockeying for $25 MILLION Payday

Matt Lauer is not seriously interested in leaving NBC -- unlike his co-host Meredith Vieira -- but he is bucking for a massive raise to $25 million dollars per year.

Sources connected with NBC tell us all the talk about Matt leaving NBC's "Today" is nothing more than a well-timed negotiating ploy. Remember, the Matt buzz started right after reports surfaced Meredith will leave in September.

"Today" has been the #1 morning news show for 15 years -- a virtual cash register for the Peacock -- and we're told Matt wants his slice of the pie ... in other words ... $25 mil.

Lauer currently gets by on $17 million per year.

UPDATE: A rep for NBC says they are "NOT in any negotiations with Matt ... as he is under contract for a long time."

Lindsay Lohan Is 'Today' the One for Her?

TMZ has learned ... Lindsay Lohan has "multiple offers" for her first television interview since getting out of jail/rehab -- and one of her biggest suitors is "Today."

Sources tell TMZ the NBC show has definite interest in landing the coveted sit-down with LiLo -- a source at the Peacock says they are "actively" trying to sign her.

We're told Lindsay is strongly considering Matt Lauer & Co. -- among several other outlets -- which is ironic considering Dina Lohan's "Today" appearance didn't go over so well.

Maybe now she can clear up once and for all just how many times she went to rehab.

UPDATE: Dina Lohan tells TMZ "no final decision has been made" on Lindsay's first TV appearance.

Grand Theft at 'The Tonight Show'

How's this for news ... Jay Leno is the victim! Law enforcement sources tell TMZ someone allegedly committed grand theft against "The Tonight Show."

Someone allegedly stole thousands of dollars of wardrobe at an office facility for the show. We're told the clothes were for the band. We're told band members were supposed to go to the facility -- in Hollywood -- for a fitting, but before they arrived someone noticed lots of stuff was missing.

A "Tonight Show" insider told us the threads were for the new band, fronted by Rickey Minor.

The LAPD is investigating. No word if it's an inside job. So far, no suspects.

Another 'Idol' Player Jumps Ship for Jay

Simon Cowell wasn't the only one who bid sayonara to "American Idol" last night.

Dorian Holley -- the Vocal Coach and Associate Musical Director -- said farewell last night as well, and he's heading for "The Tonight Show."

Holley was also the Vocal Director for Michael Jackson and was a key player in the London tour that never happened. He was with Jackson hours before he died.

Holley will become the lead singer in "The Tonight Show" band. And he's not the only "A.I." musical guru who's jumping ship -- Rickey Minor will take over Jay's band.

Need a job? There are openings at "Idol."

Conan to Fans: 'They Kinda Tried to Kill Me'

Conan O'Brien made his triumphant return to the stage last night -- for his new comedy tour -- where he busted out a version of "I Will Survive" with some lyrics aimed directly at NBC.

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Andy Richter, Jack McBrayer and Masturbating Bear all made cameos during the show in Eugene, Oregon -- though, for legal reasons, the bear's name had be to changed to "Self Pleasuring Panda."

Conan's 32 city tour continues through June.

Slash Sneaks Conan O'Brien Onto Leno Show

Slash pulled off the ultimate act of defiance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" last night -- dude rocked a Team Coco pin on the air during his performance at the end of the show!

Though it appears NBC tried to edit around the Conan O'Brien support symbol, a few shots of the pin still managed to make air.

No word if Jay even noticed.

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'Curb' Star Rips Jay Leno: He's Got No Character

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" star Jeff Garlin says he wouldn't be caught dead on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" ... because he says Conan's nemesis "has no character."

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During an interview with Jimmy Baron from 92.9 Dave-FM Atlanta this weekend, Garlin -- a long time friend and former roommate of Conan O'Brien -- claims NBC was "stupid" to replace Leno with Conan in the first place ... but says Leno derailed Conan's chances for success by doing the 10 o'clock show.

Garlin goes on to rip Leno by saying he has "no character" -- and says he won't be caught dead on "The Tonight Show" now that Jay is hosting it again.

You Gotta Hand It to Conan O'Brien Fans ...

Team Coco strikes again.

A Conan O'Brien fan posed for a photo with Jay Leno last night with the letters "Coco FTW" written on his hand -- which means "for the win."

Leno got the "Tonight Show" back and Conan got $32.5 million from NBC -- they're both winners.

Conan's Sidekick Still Ticked at Jay, NBC

Andy Richter says he's still an employee of NBC -- but that's not stopping him from dissing the network and Jay Leno for pulling the plug on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."

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Richter was on "Live! With Regis and Kelly" today, where ripped into NBC by saying, "Everybody said they were going to do something and they didn't" -- adding that the network was mired by bad planning.

As for Jay, Richter joked "You know how multimillionaires are always being forced to do things they don't want to do ... I've calmed down about it."

Richter also teased a stage tour could happen -- calling it a "distinct possibility."

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