Team Conan or Team Leno

[Sir Clinksalot]

It was a great show last night, and I found myself being very emotional and sad about the whole thing. And then I started to wonder why. It's not like he died, it's not like he won't be back on the air somewhere else in 8 months.

 

I think the thing with Conan is, he's like my Johnny Carson.

 

I NEVER watched Carson when he was on. NEVER watched Letterman when he was on NBC. I didn't care about The Tonight Show when I was a kid/teenager. When Leno started I would watch him, but quickly discovered that this unknown guy that was coming on after him was MUCH more entertaining, even if he wasn't getting the guests Leno was.

 

Then, due to my work schedule, I would get home just as Jay was signing off. And for 7 or 8 years, I watched Conan EVERY NIGHT. He became a part of my routine, the way Carson did for so many others.

 

When my schedule changed, I still tried to stay up to watch Conan (although I hardly ever made it). Then he went to the Tonight Show and became a part of my routine again.

 

And now he's gone, at least for the next 8 months. And him getting screwed feels like us getting screwed.

 

 

For those who didn't see it, here is Conan's final speech, he lost it a bit a couple of times.

 

Before we end this rodeo, a few things need to be said. There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we're going to go our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.

 

Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for 7 months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I've had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we'll find a way to make it fun.

 

And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.

 

To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

 

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. As proof, let’s make an amazing thing happen right now. Here to close out our show, are a few good friends, led by Mr. Will Ferrell…

 

Went out with class and dignity. Bravo CoCo!!!

[gisco]

I couldn't care less about any of them. I don't think I have ever seen a complete show of any of them. I never stay up past 11. I'm old, I get up at 5:00 A.M. and need my sleep.

[Zack44]

I just noticed this:

thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thatguywiththeglasses/sketches/16158-conan-trailer

 

Anyway, I'm incredibly late on this, but being a huge fan of "The Simpsons", I will always stand behind Conan, who wrote some of the best episodes in the entire series. If Conan moving to another channel is the only thing available for him, than I'll be watching every episode of the new show.

[RCFreak]

^^^

This is a nice video of some of moments from the show and that speech that almost made me cry a little! The Actual Speech starts at about 2:54 with the picture of his staff and crew.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_XgcWAQWNU

[testtrack321]

^ that was a great speech and I have the cynical part as a quote on my physical wall now to remind me on how to behave. when someone can inspire you to be a better person, they deserve my respect.

[KPfreak519]

Im not gonna lie, soloing on Free Bird with Will Ferrell has got to be the best possible way to end the run of a show EVER

[Hercules]

Did anyone see Leno go crying to Oprah, and bash Kimmel for his 10 at 10 skit? Kimmel was rightfully a little ticked off.

[SharkTums]

I haven't been a big follower in all of this, but I did read the transcript of Jay on Oprah and I felt it made Jay sound like even more of a douchebag!!!

[ginzo]

Like most businesses do, NBC took the cheaper way out. Supposedly, Leno's buy out would have cost about $100 million more than Conan's did. Whether this screws them in the long term or not, NBC did have a fire to put out with Leno's horrible lead-in to 11 o'clock.

 

That being said, I can't stand Jay Leno. He's never been anywhere near as good as Johnny Carson was. His voice makes me want to instantly change the channel. NBC should have replaced Jay with the Fruitcake Lady while she was still alive.

 

I think Conan will do just fine though ultimately, even if he doesn't have his dream job.

[X-L-R-8]

How about team I Don't Give a Damn

[ParkTrips]

You don't care yet you bumped a thread that had been dead for a week?

[RCFreak]

^AND a conflict that is already over.

[dandaman]

NBC should have replaced Jay with the Fruitcake Lady while she was still alive.

 

I'd laugh harder in 30 seconds than I ever did in one whole Leno show.

 

[Emiroo]

FYI - Conan is now offically on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ConanOBrien

 

I expect good times.

[testtrack321]

Coming to a city near you this summer...

 

 

 

http://www.teamcoco.com/

[Wes]

Just bought my tickets. I'm a little apprehensive since they didn't release too many details, but I'm hoping it will be worth it.

[disneyfan1313]

^^ Unless you live anywhere in Florida...

 

F.

[ParkTrips]

In ATL 2 days before my birthday... sweet.

[jray21]

He is $10 cheaper than when Leno came here, that's always a plus! I liked Leno before he had his "new" show. I thought the new show sucked. I have always like Conan though. Hope to see him back on in September.