Network: NBC
Episodes: 2,725 (hour)
Seasons: 16
TV show dates: September 13, 1993 — February 20, 2009
Series status: Ended
Performers include: Conan O’Brien, Andy Richter, Max Weinberg, Joel Godard, Jimmy Vivino, Richie ‘La Bamba’ Rosenberg, Mark ‘Love Man’ Pender, Jerry Vivino, Mike Merritt, and Scott Healy.
TV show description:
When host David Letterman left his NBC late-night talk show, Saturday Night Live and The Simpson’s writer Conan O’Brien was named as host. With sidekick Andy Richter, the format of the show follows other late-night talk shows, with celebrity guests, musical performances, and comedy sketches. Recurring characters like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the masturbating bear, Pimpbot 5000 each have their own following.
When Richter leaves to pursue other opportunities, O’Brien began to include bandleader Max Weinberg and announcer Joel Goddard in his sketches. O’Brien’s self-effacing humor keeps audiences not only wanting but looking forward to more.
The show continues to remain fresh by its willingness to try new things. Highlights include taking the show on the road to Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto; having an audience entirely of children; featuring an entire episode done in claymation; and airing clips of O’Brien’s travels to Germany, Amsterdam, England, Ireland, Finland, and a USO tour of the Persian Gulf.
Episode 2,725
The episode features the return of former sidekick Andy Richtor. Musical guest The White Stripes reunites for the first time since 2007 and performs an alternate version of “We’re Going to Be Friends.” The 65-minute finale features plenty of clips and reminiscences by O’Brien and Richtor. The night is capped by a visibly emotional O’Brien giving a farewell speech. He and his crew then give each audience member a piece of the Late Night set.
Jimmy Fallon took over the timeslot with his own Late Night series on March 2nd. O’Brien started hosting the Tonight Show but it didn’t even last a year.
First aired: February 20, 2009.
