The party's over for Pearl-grilled Pat O'Brien. An Insider, um, insider confirms to Radar a report in the New York Daily News that the mustachioed host will leave the show following Paramount's decision not to renew his three-year, $4 million contract. The source adds that focus groups played a part in O'Brien's demise. After he was caught on voicemail in 2005 trying to convince a lady friend to "go crazy, get some coke," and do other things with him and a prostitute, "people just didn't like Pat anymore," says the source. "They were creeped out." What's more, the source adds, "It was harder to get female stars to do interviews with him."
To fill the vacuum created by O'Brien's departure, Paramount plans to move Lara Spencer from New York to Los Angeles and make her the show's primary host, claims the source. The News reported earlier this week that she is also a candidate to join NBC's Today when it adds a fourth hour later this year. An Insider spokesperson declined to comment on the Spencer move, and said of O'Brien, "Pat O'Brien has been with The Insider since day one. He is currently under contract to us. We are in discussions to continue his deal."