You may have noticed I did not title this thread "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", that's because the 12:30 AM talk show ends its fifteen and a half year long run tonight, only to be replaced a week and a half later by "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon", which will tape in the adjacent 30 Rock studio 6B. Conan O'Brien takes over "The Tonight Show" in three months on June 1st, which then a thread title change is necessary.

Now, late night talk shows aren't usually appointment viewing for a lot of people, but I'll make an exception for three men: Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and finally Conan O'Brien. Conan takes my top spot not because he's funnier (Colbert usually makes me laugh a bit harder), but because I've enjoyed him for nearly ten years, and have great fondness for his comedy and his easygoing and lighthearted manner to pretty much everything. Not only that, but "Late Night" isn't your usual network talk show. Many are straightforward, have their monologue and deal out the same stand-up shtick through a bit of the show, then proceed with the guests in a fairly serious manner (just with a sprinkling of humor from the host). Conan O'Brien's took Letterman's initial reverse on the formula and twisted it even further. The show is almost never serious, and always has a sense of fun and whimsy with a mature twist, which is why it kills in the 18-24 demographic. There's an emphasis on gags, sketches, recurring oddball characters and Conan's ability to make anything that bombs into a joke, especially on his often hysterical remotes. It was so nonsensical yet hilarious at the same time, lacking that pompous "let's take a stand" edge that Letterman has. Conan and his show never takes a stand on an issue or supports a certain political party, but just mocks everything in the most ridiculously funny way possible. That's what I've always loved about it, it's all in good fun; even the celebs do comedy bits during their interviews sometimes.

Of course, some people just don't get the show and the host. It's the farthest thing from sophisticated, but it's certainly not dumb. It's just fun, pure and simple. And who doesn't like that? Sure it's silly and over-the-top, but that's the point. There's never a dull, serious moment and Conan is always going for the laughs. That's why it's sort-of bittersweet that the "Late Night" portion of Conan's talk show career is ending tonight. There's many questions that "Late Night" fans have been asking for the past two months that haven't been truly answered yet. Is the style going to remain the same? Who's going? Who's leaving? Is Conan going to have to serious-it-up? Is there going to be a larger emphasis on the guests rather than the comedy? Conan has been, in all interviews, a bit vague. The band and the writers are moving, but much of the rest is up in the air.

Others, of course, fear the 11:30 curse might strike Conan. Now, this is a ridiculous theory since it can only be applied to two hosts, but here it is: many feel that Leno is horribly lame (I kind of, sort of agree) and lacks that edge to make a talk show truly great, and many feel that when Letterman moved to 11:30 on CBS, he lost that edge rather quickly (which I will 100% agree on). The theory goes from there and says that the earlier shows are seen by executives as a ratings hotspot compared to the later shows (makes sense), and thus are subjected to a lot of executive meddling to cater to all audiences that drives the show down in quality. Although history has proven that executives interfering usually creates an inferior product whether it film or television (James could definetly attest to that), but I can't see that theory working. My guess is that (and Conan has said this in regards to concerns) in the talk show world, the show reflects the host. What really happened was that Leno was a lame-duck candidate who has nothing more to offer than his stand-up skills and Letterman got older, more conservative (in relation to his humor, not political bias) and got obsessed with making a point. Conan doesn't seem like that kind of guy, and providing that the suits let him do what he wants to do, I think "The Tonight Show" could indeed turn into "Late Night 2.0", which is the ultimate win-win solution. My co-worker today put it perfectly: with Leno moving to 10 PM, he should appease his viewers and the younger demographic who enjoys Conan will simply reap the benefits of the timeslot change, and NBC will be happy enough to leave Conan to do his regular, wacky thing.

So, those who enjoy Conan, what are your thoughts on this transition?

Hi Ryan,

Really good post.

Heres my 2 cents.

I don't watch Leno because he's sanitized to the point of banal and boring. Just smiles, does his stuff and collects his checks. I actually think he's probably a great guy. I agree with your observations about meddling.

I watch Letterman rarely. I think that the format kills him. Basically he's a glorified ad man. each guess is there to promote this and that and to be honest i just became sick of the format. I like him alot.

I used to watch Conan most of all, but have not really been there for a couple of years. The reason is time as I evolved.

Two years ago I "discovered" these guys and now I religiously watch John Stewart and Stephen Colbert. It's edgier, more topical entertainment and I'm never quite sure what will happen next. Neither is locked into making it all about the guest. It's about them. I love the political tirades and the apparent freer nature allowed by not being on network.

British TV - I watch Jonathan Ross each week on the BBC iplayer. Anyone who's band is called "4 puffs and a piano" and features 4 gay guys is good by me.... he had Mickey Rourke on today. An interesting and honest interview that you'd just never see on the late night chat shows.

I wish Conan well, but fear that his wings will be clipped and his shows will be even safer. i just don't need to be force fed product under the guise of a talk show.

Rob

PS - I'd rather be here posting and talking with you guys than watching Leno, Letterman and Conan.

I feel that Conan is exactly this without the political theme, but more geared towards goofy fun. (don't get me wrong, I love Stewart and Colbert) Not to mention that Conan is a very likable and funny guy. Nostalgia could have a part in my love for Late Night, as I started watch in my early teen years. Middle school was atrocious (isn't it always?), but reruns of last night's Conan would often cheer me up. Hoping for another appearance of the "Walker Texas Ranger" lever everyday still remains the fondest memory I have from those times. Though high school was much better and kept me busy writing and memorizing monologues, I still found time to enjoy Conan. The show's always been there, and it always makes me laugh, so this move is very bittersweet to me. I think the best case scenario will be a Tonight Show version that mimics Late Night greatly in terms of humor, sketches and pushing the envelope every now and then, but it will never be the same. Worst case scenario? Like you says, the Tonight Show remains what it is now: product disguised as a talk show, which is how I never felt about Conan.

Ryan

I really hope you are right re the new Conan, because he is inspired. My worry for him is that he needs to generate bigger ratings in the new time slot. His whole edgy style is appealing to a niche and the niche is not big enough. I fear we will get dumbed down Conan.

Stewart and Colbert don't have that requirement on their cable channel.

My viewing habits are ultimately governed by time. I can manage one, maybe two of these shows a day. Definitely not three. I'll check out his new show in June. I certainly won't watch his replacement. In the meantime i'll be watching John Stewart and Stephen Colbert and laughing away my economic issues.

Rob

Well, it's over. Conan admitted that he will "not grow up", and I'm willing to believe him.

Excited for June 1st!

I don't think the Cone Zone will change much if at all. And as far as I am concerned, Joel McHale should be behind Conan's desk, not Jimmy Fallon. What has he done? He wasn't to me funny at all on SNL and what has he done since?

NBC horse is why he got the job, not talent. But oh well, Conan is still on!! Just a different title in the show!

Been watching since the Andy Richter days. Conan has been my favorite talk show host at least a decade now. I think after the first week of obvious skits that show he's "grown up," I'm sure he'll find his groove quick. He really can do no wrong.

By the way, his final monologue at the desk was quite emotional. He kept stammering and stumbling over words. His tributes to David Letterman and Jeff Ross were also great.

Can't wait til June 1st!

Conan has always been my favorite late night talk show host.

I think in the last decade he got a little stuck in a rut in the format though. He stopped being at the cutting edge, while the Daily Show sped ahead.

Conan's still a fantastic writer though, and that's what really counts (see the early Simpsons years). I was happy to hear that he was taking over the big job (although I'd love him to branch out more and do a series or a web series or something).

I totally agree, Jimmy Fallon is incredibly unfunny and is only getting the job because stupid Lorne Michaels thinks he's funny. To think that there has only ever been two hosts of Late Night; O'Brien and Letterman, and now we have to add Fallon to that list. Who in their right mind would include Fallon in the same league as O'Brien, Letterman, Leno, Stewart, and Colbert?

Even Joel McHale would be have been a better choice over Fallon, I watch almost none of the shows he talks about on The Soup, yet I still find it funny, all his appearances on Late Night have been funny also and he would have had no problem fitting into the format.

Late Night with Conan O'Brien is defiantly the late night show I watch the most and I will be following him to the earlier timeslot. Because alot of viewers are fickle and don't like change having Conan on after Leno despite the different timeslots and shows should help keep the ratings for Conan pretty strong, although Letterman might get his first rating wins for about 5 years.

Joel McHale is not funny.

Just because there are people laughing in the background as part of the format of his show does not make him funny.

My parents force me to watch Graham Norton every time I come home to visit. He's on in the UK, and seems to pretty popular. Some of the bits are funny, but some of it seems downright mean. At least the Daily Show picks on public figures, not just some poor schmuck trying to get a date. They love it because of how "edgy" it is, but I prefer Stewart, Colbert, and Conan.

Conan has always been my generations network television representative, so I love him for that. Some of his stuff is hysterical, the Walker Texas Ranger clips, the Masturbating Bear, and he's the only Talk Show host that can hold his own with Norm Macdonald.

Speaking of Norm, I read somewhere that his "show" should just be him appearing on other people's shows, which I think would work brilliantly for him.

Andy Richter is stepping in as announcer for Conan's turn on The Tonight Show. Happy day.




http://www.pajiba.com/trade_news/andy-richter-tonight-show-announcer.php

Well, tonight's the night. I'm excited to see Conan again.

Bill Hicks said what I would say about Jay Leno, so I'll leave that rock unturned. I don't have a very high opinion of Letterman, for that matter.


Conan deserves a spot in any talk show because he is entirely charming and incredibly talented. He might allow for some exorbitantly goofy bits that undermine his comic abilities, but overall he is genuinely talented. He also contributed to my favorite scene from the South Park film. Well, in a way.


Jon Stewart is still the class of late night syndication. He has amply withstood the test of time and has achieved an ironic respectability that no other contemporary in his field may boast.

So did anyone watch? I missed it and forgot to record...

i only caught the interview with ferrell but that part was pretty good. Fallon seemed better but still not good from what i saw of him last night.

Huh? I don't follow.

Anyways, what a great premiere. I loved the Tram Tour segment ("Circle" chanting was hilarious), and the Taurus bit had me rolling, even though it would probably confuse new viewers.

Ferrel, despite his efforts, was a little cringeworthy. It also seems that while Conan's premiere is getting mostly raves, Pearl Jam is nearly unanimously being trashed. Good, because they weren't not on their A-game last night at all.

Honestly, I can't wait to see a normal show, which should air tonight.

Let me add my voice to the choir of positive reviews.

As the classic "The following program is brought to you in living color on NBC" opening began, I was giddy.

The show was excellent, the studio is gorgeous, the taped bits hilarious, and Ferrell was his usual witty self. Drive onto the tarmac at LAX, indeed.

Pearl Jam rocked the house, though the sound mix wasn't balanced properly. I can't wait to pick up their new album, Backspacer, in September.

And finally...

CIRCLE! CIRCLE! CIRCLE!

After seventeen years, The Tonight Show is watchable once again, and I will be viewing it regularly.

(And I hope that Conan and the writers break out some classic bits this week.)

the tweeter segment tonight was golden hahah

That was really funny. I also really liked the In the year 3000 bit they did on Wednesday.