Last night, Conan O’Brien began his reign as the host of The Tonight Show. As the NBC promos have reminded us, the red-haired comedian is only the fifth person to hold the position and he’s got some pretty big shoes to fill.
For the first episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, the host seemed very much at ease. Of course, hosting Tonight isn’t a far cry from his previous job. Though he’s moved to the West Coast, much about the new show seemed the same. That may help or hurt him since his old show’s ratings haven’t been as solid as Tonight’s have been.
In terms of number for last night’s show, O’Brien’s debut performed well but it wasn’t extraordinary. It was the highest rated episode of Tonight since January 24, 2005. That was a tribute to Johnny Carson who’d died the day before.
Compared to the usual ratings for Tonight, MediaWeek reports that O’Brien’s first episode attracted 82% more viewers in the overnights than the second quarter average, a 7.1 rating. That’s 154% higher than last night’s Late Show with David Letterman and a much bigger win over Nightline and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Of course, it’s difficult to judge the show on just one outing. As history has shown, hosting the Tonight Show is much more like a long marathon than a quick sprint. It’ll be interesting to see if O’Brien can sustain the ratings dominance of his predecessor.
What do you think? Did you watch and will you tune in again? Is O’Brien right for the job?
In case you missed it, here’s another chance…
Image courtesy NBC.
More about:
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
Related Content
-
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien: NBC Store Cleared Out
Mar 2, 2010 -
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien: NBC Wiping Out Remnants and Mentions of O’Brien
Feb 7, 2010 -
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien: Watch the Last Episode
Jan 25, 2010 -
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien: Jeff Zucker Interview and “Voice-mails”
Jan 19, 2010 -
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien: Cancelled, What’s Next for Conan?
Jan 15, 2010 -
Late Night with Conan O’Brien: Richter and O’Brien to Reunite on New Tonight Show
Feb 24, 2009
{ 100 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
When Conan enters the room, I can’t change the channel fast enough! I find him so obnoxiously silly and NOT the least bit humorous.
Conan O’Brien lacks in talent for the Tongiht Show. Jimmy Fallon is more talented and would do a much better job. Andy, Conan’s sidekick is a joke. Why NBC gave O’Brien this job when Jay Leno was leading in the ratings on a constant basis I’ll never know.
What a shame that NBC did not see it coming. I tried to watch Conan several times, but it was too painful. You know the old adage, if it works, leave it alone. Well I guess NBC did not get it and now the entire tonight show is in shambles. I just hope that Leno can revive the mess that NBC created.
So I see the AARP crowd continues to bash Conan and the tonight show. If it bothers you that much, turn it off and wash your dentures, peruse reader’s digest, do some word search puzzles or something else the elderly love to do.
Change scares you, we get it.
Testify conan rocks and jay is dry and dull couldn’t stand the old tonight show coco rocks
All right!!!! Jay is back on NBC! I even rather like the earlier time slot. Maybe, just maybe, NBC’s brass will get the picture and get that idiot O’brien OFF the network. Jay’s ratings ROCKED on opening night. I believe even after he settles into his niche audience, he will do better that Conan is doing late night.
jay leno show or csi
HELLO
what do they have working at nbc nitwits
and as for canan he STINKS
never watched the tonight show again since Conan took over!
never watched the tonight show again since Conan took over! can’t watch someone try to be funny!
Man, there are a lot of haters out there. I love Conan. I’m 34 seen Johnny and Jay, but I love Conan. It seems people find change hard, as for me, ROCK ON CONAN.
Conan is REPULSIVE! No one should have to work that hard to TRY to be funny. He uses too many stupid jestures to try to be funny. I did not watch the show he was on and will not watch the New Tonight Show. I used to look forward to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. What a terrible CHANGE!
Jay should have given the job to Jimmy Kimmel. Conan Sucks!!! I will never watch again.
conin obrian is repulisive, No no one should have to work THAT hard to have to be FUNNY He IS NOT FUNNY . Any one that enjoys his show is sick!! I DO NOT watch NBC for that hour any more.what ever else is on is what I WATCH.
I love CoCo – he is the smartest and funniest thing on TV
Conan does suck. It doesn’t matter what time slot you stick him in. Way too spastic for my taste. Like he loads up on 5 Hour Energy drinks. It’s L.A. He doesn’t fit the culture. His delivery should be smoother. And it would help if his style of comedy wasn’t an acquired taste.
Conan Rocks! The funniest late night host. If you dont get his humour, then you are BLAH!!! He is unique and creative (along with his writers). It is unfortunate that he had to tone himself down for the tonight show, but I still faithfully record and watch his show. Conan Live On, and Keep being yourself!
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →