Last night Conan O’Brien officially took the reigns and became the 5th host (after Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Jay Leno) of NBC‘s long-running late night TV program The Tonight Show (in the wake of Leno‘s departure from the show last Friday night). Here are a few screencaps from the cold open of Conan‘s first show as host of The Tonight Show:
The video gag (showing Conan‘s move from NYC to LA) was very cute, very Conan … in case you missed it, you can watch it online HERE. After 17 years as host of Late Night, now is the time for O’Brien to take his place in the earlier timeslot … and he got things off to a hilarious start:
Conan O’Brien debuted as host of “The Tonight Show” with a jog across the country to Los Angeles and other comedy bits on his entry into a strange new West Coast culture. He joined a line of predecessors — Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Jay Leno — on television’s most historic late-night franchise. “I think I’ve timed this move perfectly,” he said in his opening monologue aired Monday night. “I’m on a last-place network, I moved to a state that’s bankrupt and ‘The Tonight Show’ is sponsored by General Motors.” O’Brien spent 17 years as host of NBC’s “Late Night” in New York, and the move up one hour has been in the works for five years. Leno, his immediate predecessor, will do a weeknight prime-time show on NBC. The workaholic Leno will start “in two days, three days tops,” O’Brien joked. Actually, it’s in September. O’Brien christened a new studio on the Universal City lot with a handsome art-deco look. The stage has a blue glass background for the opening monologue, before O’Brien retreats to a desk in front of a sparkling backdrop of Los Angeles. From the top, O’Brien showed the silly comic style that sets him apart from Leno, with more comedy skits filmed earlier and less reliance on jokes in front of the studio audience. The first one showed O’Brien marking off a to-do list for his new show. “Move to L.A.” was the last item, as a camera panned a New York skyline outside his window. A frantic O’Brien went out in the street to find a cab. When he couldn’t, he began running. He ran out of New York, and sprinted across the country — across Wrigley Field in Chicago, past the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, by the Rockies and through the desert to Las Vegas. Finally he arrived at the locked door to his new studio, only to realize he’d left his keys behind. In other segments, O’Brien commandeered a tram filled with tourists on a Universal Studios lot tour and took his used green Ford Taurus for a ride into Los Angeles’ car-obsessed culture. Fabio complimented him on his ride. O’Brien appeared nervous at the long-awaited opening night, pacing onstage during his monologue and mugging with his red pompadour. “I remember watching Johnny Carson when I was a kid and thinking: That’s what I want to be when I grow up,” O’Brien said. “I’m sure right now in America there is likely a kid watching me, thinking: ‘What is wrong with that man’s hair?’” Longtime sidekick Andy Richter slid smoothly into the role Ed McMahon once played for Carson, standing at a podium to the side of the stage and loudly laughing at his boss’ jokes … Comic Will Ferrell was O’Brien’s first guest, his appearance less manic than some of his memorable “Late Night” visits. He offered O’Brien some “tips” for L.A. living, including a good burger joint in Pasadena “called Burger King.” Pearl Jam was the musical guest, debuting a song off an upcoming album. Ferrell sang his own song in tribute to O’Brien, a version of “Never Can Say Goodbye” that “bewildered” the host. Why sing a goodbye song on the first night? “Don’t get me wrong,” Ferrell said. “I’m pulling for you. But this little thing is a crapshoot at best.”
I think Conan taking over for Leno is a genius move. O’Brien is ridiculously funny and absolutely lovable. I’ve always felt that he deserved to be on TV at an earlier time (when people are still awake) to enjoy his hilarity. He’s waited a long time for this opportunity … I’m certain he’s going to be an amazing Tonight Show host. Congrats on your new gig, Conan … and Welcome to LA!! Oh — and don’t eff it up, OK?
[Source]
(sorry if this is a double post…)
I thought Conan wasn’t as funny last night as he normally is. He’s adjusting to the earlier time but I hope he doesn’t tone down his humor at all. He is at his best when he is self-depricating, ironic and edgy. Also, Andy Richter makes him less funny. I hope this is temporary and they bring Joel Goddard back to be the announcer.
@adam — I agree about him sounding a bit reserved but this is going to be a looooong gig for him. i think he’s wise to ease into the new gig. you just watch, he’ll hit his stride very soon.
that’s how conan was when his show first started – he started out as a writer, behind the scenes and when they first put him in front of the cameras he was so nervous, but in time, he got comfortable, same will happen here.
He did seem nervous, but I think that’s just typical first night opening jitters. I loved the addition of Andy Richter. The choco-taco banter was light and fun; Conan seemed much more relaxed while interacting with Richter. Conan needs to relax a bit and then he’ll be fine.
As a Jay Leno super fan, I was a little sad to see that he wasn’t there, but I decided that I would give Conan a chance and watch his first shot at the Tonight Show (I occasionally stayed up for him after Jay). Honestly, I don’t find him as funny as Jay, but that’s probably because I don’t find his type of humor very funny. It’s kind of strange though; people say that Conan’s humor appeals to a younger audience, but I’m 19 and I don’t find him as hilarious as many people make him out to be.
Lookin’ foward to Jay in September!
Aww I’m so happy for him! I love Conan.
I am so crazy about Conan!! His Taurus skit was awesome last night. I find him the funniest of all of the late nighters!
Trent, thank you for being a non-critical blogger with Conan. I’m refusing to look at what other writers/bloggers are going to say when it comes to Conan because they sensationalize, criticize, and most likely didn’t even watch Conan before tonight. Conan was great and deserves this so much. He is our generation’s self-depricating-like-Bob Hope. I love him.
@Janelle — Srsly, people just love to complain and giving negative reviews of Conan’s first night is bound to make headlines. I totally agree with you that he is this gen’s Bob Hope.
I have been absolutely in love with Conan for ages and I’m so sad because I never got to see him when I lived in New York. Then just MONTHS after I moved out of LA, his show moves there!!! Maybe he’ll come back to Chicago and do another show there because naturally I wasn’t living here then and now I am. Some force is keeping me away from him… probably protecting him from my adoration. Anyway, I thought last night was HI-LARIOUS. And tonight too. I’m totally moving back to LA now because he’s there. I just love him!!!
I bet most of the people who gave him a negative review have NEVER watched Conan before, so they automatically compare him to Leno. I find that totally unfair because their type of comedy is different from each other. Although, Conan’s jokes were a bit “softened” during the first ep, I agree… Maybe he did that just so the Leno audience will hopefully “transition” with him and not be shocked and switch to another channel.