6/2: Conan O’Brien debuts on “The Tonight Show”
Loading ...And now onto No. 5. The fifth host of “The Tonight Show,” that is.
Conan O’Brien seemed naturally nervous, with the monologue and interplay with Andy Richter (he’s back after a decade-long absence) a bit awkward, especially a not-so-funny off-the-cuff Choco Taco bit. But the program itself wouldn’t seem terribly foreign to fans of the 12:35 a.m. show he did for 16 years. (No masturbating bear — yet.)
He relied a bit more on taped bits than normal, bits he has stocked up over the past three months since he ended his last show in New York in March. And that also meant he needed only one celebrity guest — the reliably amusing Will Ferrell — and one of Conan’s favorite bands Pearl Jam.
The set itself, in light blue, captures more of that West Coast ouvre than his old set at 30 Rock, but Conan’s gravity defying red hair remains the same.
The opening sketch, to the tune of Cheap Trick’s “Surrender,” had Conan mock-running (in a suit) across the country from New York to Los Angeles. He makes random stops in Amish country, Wrigley Field, the St. Louis Arch, a Victorian Doll Museum, Vegas and finally Universal Studios in Hollywood, home to the new show.
This was followed by an even jazzier version of his original theme song when he was 12:35 a.m. He introduced Richter and band leader Max Weinberg. “It’s like a Backstreet Boys reunion,” he noted, “just not as good.”
Then onto his first monologue joke: “I have to admit, I think I’ve timed this moment perfectly: I’m on a last-place network in a state that’s bankrupt and tonight is sponsored by General Motors.”
The studio, he noted, holds 380 people. “It’s like being at a Clippers game,” he said. This led to a shot of him at a Lakers game — except while Jack Nicholson and Greg Kinnear sit in the front row, he is seen in the back, scarfing popcorn.
His best bit was a Universal Studios tram tour he commandeered, allowing him to show sparks of his off-the-cuff humor we’ve learned to love. While a burst of water came barreling toward the tram, he noted, “That was a flash flood or octomom’s water just broke.” Then he drove the tram in circles. “If we go fast enough, we can go back in time. We can save Abraham Lincoln!”
The first 23 minutes went without commercials, which meant far more commercials for the choppier final 37. During that period, he did a bit mocking L.A.’s obsession with great cars but instead of a Lamborghini or Corvette, he drives a beat-up old Ford Taurus, pseudo-impressing Fabio and many, many hot women.
Ferrell, during his brief appearance, threw off a few random jokes, calling his Tony Award nominee competitor Liza Minnelli a “commie” multiple times for no particular reason and singing a song in honor of Conan: “Never Can Say Goodbye.”
“This is not,” Conan helpfully explained, “a goodbye show.”
Nope, Conan should be around a long, long time to come.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
106 comments Add your comment
JASon
June 2nd, 2009
5:29 am
I am a cynical jerk about most things, but I happened to catch this show and I’ve got to say, I laughed really hard at times. Conan’s a funny dude. He seems like he’d be cool in person too- not afraid to jab at himself or act crazy for no reason.
Zup
June 2nd, 2009
5:56 am
I like it. He’s a different type of variety show guy. I hope the old stuffies don’t bail on him.
Bruce
June 2nd, 2009
6:36 am
Nervous? Yes, but this is a huge break for him and one that he’s waited for (and earned) for a long time. I think it’s great that you saw genuine nervous excitement like a little kid on Christmas morning. I’m sure it will wear off. You’ve got to admit, some of his bits are so “off the cuff” that they make you laugh out loud.
Gary
June 2nd, 2009
7:32 am
Never had been a huge fan of his, but I am sure he will do just fine in that chair. No one has failed yet hosting the Tonight Show. Well with Jay moving to 10pm I guess I can finally get to bed early.
Sara
June 2nd, 2009
7:46 am
I have a hard time watching him…..I know how bad this may sound; he’s too weird looking for me to watch. The hair is too much, the head is too big on his skinny stick people body. Too ugly for me, sorry.
Jim
June 2nd, 2009
7:59 am
Boring!!! Guess I am from a different generation. I’ll stick with my Carson Videos!!!!
Voice of Reason #1
June 2nd, 2009
7:59 am
With Jay Leno gone, I will NOT watch Conan. He is NOT funny, just stupid. And Sara, I “hear” you; I agree. But mainly, he’s just not funny. My schedule now will be WXIA news (mostly), flip to Letterman or Nightline for a hot minute or two, flip my TV back to CH 11 (ready for the Today show when I awake),then all lights out. Conan will never get my time.
Tonight Show fan - former
June 2nd, 2009
8:15 am
The Tonight Show has hit a new low. Conan’s “humor” is not clever and very unsophisticated, qualities that I found appealing in Johnny Carson. Leno started the fall, Conan will finish it. Much like SNL. There will be a “jump the shark” moment for Conan within 12 months.
Dondee
June 2nd, 2009
8:17 am
I enjoy watching Conan O’Brien….He is hilarious. He is different than Leno, Letterman or Carson. I think some of you people need to give him a chance. You may change your mind! I think he appeals to a wide range from young to middle aged, like me.
Candy
June 2nd, 2009
8:20 am
Jay Leno left us with nothing more than Bart Simpson. NBC isn’t doing one of it’s best shows in history any favors with this joke. Letterman just got more viewers.
Not Funny
June 2nd, 2009
8:28 am
What kind of covert racist BS was that “Choco-Taco” stuff referring to Obama and Sotomayor? That didn’t get by a lot of people and I think it should be addressed.
Rich nykerk
June 2nd, 2009
8:30 am
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Johnny and Jay set the pace with humor, but Conan just doesn’t cut it. Like a bad restaurant, I give it 6 months to one year and it will be off the air.
Ralph
June 2nd, 2009
8:31 am
I was NOT impressed. I surely understand being nervous, all the more reason to make SURE that your opening is simple and VERY funny, which Conan was not. I left The Tonight Show when Johnny left. I am a huge David Letterman fan. But TV history is TV history and I wanted to see how Conan would do. Totally underwhelming. My guess is HE (Conan) will look back and not be real happy with his opening performance, although I doubt he would ever admit that. I hope Conan over the next month or so will begin to learn who his audience is and begin to adjust to it as opposed to the available audience adjusting to Conan. If the latter is the case, it will be a short lived Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.
zeke
June 2nd, 2009
8:33 am
What a no talent hack!
Just An Observer
June 2nd, 2009
8:34 am
Gotta agree with Sara…..his appearance just turns me off. I have never watched his show because I can’t get past that goofy look. Maybe I’m missing something great, but that is an honest reaction.
Josh Smildress
June 2nd, 2009
8:55 am
wow, a lot of opinions on here seem from people who either have not watched the show or watched like twelve seconds of it. You won’t watch it because of the way he looks? That seems pretty shallow and a classic case of judging the book by the cover. The show is hilarious and he has been funny for quite some time and earned his shot at the Tonight Show. He shouldnt cater to his audience that is not what makes him funny…watch the show, I bet all you commies laugh more than you thought you would.
bulldog bubba
June 2nd, 2009
8:56 am
I have read the comments and have to say i am not a Conan fan. I will give him a chance.I did not like his stupid humor on his LateNight show but hope he will carry on this show with some class like Johnny and Jay did.I switched to Jay because Letterman is becoming a cynical person and acts like he doesn’t want to be their anymore.I hope Jimmy Fallon will be considered for the next “call-up” to the big show.Jimmy Kimmel would have been a better replacement to take Jay’s place.
Conan Supporter
June 2nd, 2009
9:01 am
Are you kidding me? You people need to get with the times or go out and buy a sense of humor. Leno sucked! Conan just saved the show!
New Tonight Show Viewer
June 2nd, 2009
9:02 am
Y’all need to get over yourselves! Choco-taco referring to Obama-Sotomayor? Give me a break! Anybody who thinks Leno is funny is either stupid or in a nursing home. I used to prefer Letterman over Leno. As for myself, along with a lot of other people who are under 30, I will now start watching The Tonight Show. And Conan’s appearance turning people off? Have you taken a look at Leno and Letterman?!?! Geez people!
Willx
June 2nd, 2009
9:08 am
Awkward, not funny, and sub-par humor for the time slot. You would think for the inaugural show, the writers and Conan would have tried a little harder. I switched to Jimmy half way through the Farrell disaster. If this is typical of the new ‘Tonight Show’, I will be getting to sleep earlier than I have in a decade. Conan is clearly not up to the task. Jay must be laughing as usual at just another NBC mistake!
johnnyboy
June 2nd, 2009
9:11 am
I liked Conan a lot more when Andy Richter was on board. The show seemed less monotonous. Hopefully his return will shake things up.
RTibbs
June 2nd, 2009
9:12 am
Conan has not been popular for 16 years because he looks good enough for Sara the model to watch. He is popular because he is funny. For all of you who judged based on his very openng monologue aren’t we a bit judgemental. Conan is funny, unlike Jay who was safe and boring. Finally after 17 years I can go back to watching the Tonight Show.
Stonoguy
June 2nd, 2009
9:17 am
I watched about 30 minutes of the Tonight Show and then turned it over to Lettermen. I didn’t think the show was funny at all. Conan may have been more suited for the 12:30am crowd but not for the Tonight show. Conan always seemed foolish and juvenile….now he’s on an hour earlier to show it.
I guess Letterman is the ‘king’ now.
Scape
June 2nd, 2009
9:20 am
Conan, big mistake.
Kar
June 2nd, 2009
9:21 am
I thought the tour sketch went on too long and the car bit was tedious, but the opening skit with the Cheap Trick soundtrack was classic Conan. Especially actually going to the various locales and coming out of the river in his suit.
He’s less confined conceptionally to the traditional talk show format which is a good thing. Hopefully someone can rein him in when he goes on too long.
His biggest strength though, is his interviewing. He seems actually interested in his guests instead of using them as straight men. He’s become one of the best listeners to the audience and gauges things spontaneously.
DHW
June 2nd, 2009
9:22 am
Leno is fake — a processed, packaged, egoistical fraud. Conan is a welcome change.
DW
June 2nd, 2009
9:22 am
Sara says: “he’s too ugly for me.” Let me guess, a Dane Cook fan?
What a superficial B****!
I think Conan is the funniest late night host of the lot – and I’m a fan of Dave, Jay and Jimmy.
vdb
June 2nd, 2009
9:23 am
Conan thinks he is funny but he is not. He always repeats same sentance(we got a great show) many times and tells awkward joke in between. He is not comfortable until appearance of guests. Just makes awakward faces,jumping.. not funny
ScottR
June 2nd, 2009
9:28 am
Conan is funny but I’m not staying up to watch, never have. People should read more and watch less of this garbage on the tube.
Gary B.
June 2nd, 2009
9:31 am
He did a great job…some real humor for a change on the tonight show !
insomniac
June 2nd, 2009
9:36 am
I watched Conan on his other show at times because of his guest. However I just didn’t think he was funny. He always does the same things.That stupid bow, touching himself with his finget. Stareing at the camera like hes in some trance. While he does the monologue he’s forward and back on stage. Its nerve racking. Not a big Letterman fan, so after the local news I’m heading to bed. Good night.
ADL
June 2nd, 2009
9:37 am
Do you honestly think Johnyy Carson’s humor would be successful today?
I loved Johnny, but that was adifferent time and place. Watch the old shows and notice everyone smoking and drinking on camera. Not gonna happen today.
I think Conan will do a great job. Leno did a great job too.
Chris
June 2nd, 2009
9:42 am
go watch Conan’s “Old Time Baseball” clip and then tell me he’s not the best in the business right now
Dawg A
June 2nd, 2009
9:49 am
Is anyone surprised that N.B.C. would push aside the number one late night talk show host for this jerk? I will watch Leno at 10:00 ( I bet he is smiling this morning ) and go to bed. N.B.C. this is the type of decision that got you in the mess you are in.
Brad
June 2nd, 2009
9:49 am
They said Conan would never make it during his first three months on the air……16 years later I would say he did just fine. There will never be another Carson but Conan will be remembered far better the Jan Leno…I mean seriously Leno, newspaper clipings??
I do however think Leno is a great stand-up….the tonight show never really suited his skills I thought. Anyway I will now watch Conan and TIVO Letterman
sd
June 2nd, 2009
9:51 am
Conan is great. I never liked Jay and I think his 10PM show will be cancelled within a year. Letterman was great, but now is just OK.
tony hawk
June 2nd, 2009
9:52 am
Conan is great! He is the next generation. Old people do not get him and will not like him.
Pete
June 2nd, 2009
9:55 am
I think Conan O’Brien is one of the most overated, mediocre, below average comedy writers in American entertainment history.
To make him a talk show host 16 years ago was laughable. To now make him the replacement for Jay Leno is just another step backward in the “Dumbing of America”.
Beyond pathetic.
robby
June 2nd, 2009
9:57 am
those that have a dislike for his humor are most likely over 40, and conan’s followers will now watch him on the tonight show, and the older folks who cant get his humor will watch matlock, just like my grandparents did when jay took over for him and everyone thought the world was ending…NBC execs arent stupid, they know what they are doing and arent about to put someone out there that has any chance of failing, not on a show as historic as the tonight show…he’ll be fine, those that liked him before were younger people like myself, but are now professionals and 30years old…our generation is now taking the drivers seat, and the older folks (fans of leno, but not conan) just need to vent by slamming on conan…get over it…
robby
June 2nd, 2009
10:00 am
pete-
if Conan is such a bad comedy writer, then how did he write for SNL during it’s haydays in the 80s??? he may not have the look of some airbrushed celebrity, but he’s got one of the best comedic minds on TV today…
Enthusiast
June 2nd, 2009
10:05 am
Conan’s shows have been immature and awkward in the past. Possibly due to the 12:30 AM to 1:30 AM demographics. I can’t stand the characters (bear, etc) that were regulars on his New York studio shows. They are just Gross. If Conan leaves those characters out of his new show and resonate more maturity on the Tonight Show, I think he will ultimately succeed, although his sense of humor does not appeal to me.
Conan’s opening video, the cross-country run shtick was fresh, and a good opener. Conan also did the right thing by acknowledging Jay Leno and Jay’s friendship.
I will follow Jay Leno to his new 10 PM time slot – a very difficult time slot for a show to compete. Good luck to Jay, too.
Olivia
June 2nd, 2009
10:07 am
I did not like Conan last night. With two exceptions his jokes were as usual too shallow and silly. I was not impressed at all. It took them more than two months to prepare this first episode and all they got was the new studio at Universal with tour included… and in the interview the guest did most of the job. With such a lausy perferomance as token, how will Conan manage to deliver good quality from one day to the next? Better not put much hope.
When will Leno come back?
robby
June 2nd, 2009
10:08 am
i think that conan will likely leave some of the more ‘latenight’ skits and characters behind, to compromise with some of the new demographic, but also remember that the demographic that has been watching him at latenight the last 16years is now becoming the main demographic in america, so he will be successful as they begin to dominate the ratings, not the older folks…
Brainstorm
June 2nd, 2009
10:10 am
The Choco-taco and other ethnic food references that Biden “whispered” in Sotomayor’s ear was a crack at the way he typically says things that he should not say. So, Not Funny, calm down with your accusations of racial insensitivity. The bit was mildly humorous.
2booli
June 2nd, 2009
10:10 am
All you old kronnies complaining can go watch Nick at Night. Conan is very innovative, fresh, and in touch with the 18 – 35 crowd. He is a funny character that carries himself very well, and he will uphold the distinguished position of late night host with class but more importantly….comedy.
robby
June 2nd, 2009
10:11 am
leno wont be back, and conan will be here to stay. NBC isnt about to just throw someone in there on a whim who has no talent or shot to succeed. the proof of his talent and success is the 16years he spent on latenight, if you stay on TV in any time slot for 16years then you are doing a lot of things right…
Kar
June 2nd, 2009
10:11 am
Even when Conan’s low brow, he has a cerebral touch that is unexpected. Some of his iconic if idiotic characters such as the pimpbot, that stupid bear, the horny manatee and those quarters are not the standard moronic stereotypes.
One of the few complaints actually has been that he’s too intellectual with his Ivy League background and writer’s pedigree. I think some of best examples were during the Writer’s Strike when he seemed to really think outside of the box.
I agree with the string bit, it looses a lot when not in the studio, but again, it shows how attuned he is to the audience.
steve
June 2nd, 2009
10:17 am
I did not watch it, but anyone who uses a Cheap Trick song in his opening segment is going to be all right with me!!
Greg from Marietta
June 2nd, 2009
10:18 am
I thought for sure that Conan would have “Grownup” and try to follow somewhat in the sophisticated footsteps of his predecessors. I guess once a buffoon always a buffoon. As for the comments that the NBC exec’s know what they are doing. Those individuals that believe that either can’t read or are not intelligent enough to know the difference because if they (the network exec’s) knew what they were doing the wouldn’t be ranked “LAST” in broadcast network rankings. I predict that he will wash out within 5 years.
Kevrock/Smarty Jones
June 2nd, 2009
10:20 am
Olivia learn how to spell. Sara you seem to be High Maintenance.
The show was good. Not great. The octomom joke was hiliarious as
well as the Biden Joke. You see Biden is like that. He says ridiculious
stuff all the time.