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.
Conan needs to cut back on monologue, not his strong suit. Skits are usually hilarious. Needs some time to fix up show. It’s only the 3rd week. He’ll work it out. I got faith in Coco. Bring andy back to the couch and bring back masturbating bear and triumph.
I watched Conan, and now know why he was on at a later time slot with his old show. The pot heads come out at the later time slot and therefore think he is funny. This new time slot is wrong for his type of comedy. Move the Tonight Show back to the later time slot with the pot heads and Conan will be funny again. Good job NBC, you guys must have come across some good pot. But for us straight people, Conan is a bore.
I am and will always be a David Letterman & Craig Ferguson watcher, but I was curious about the transition over on NBC, so I checked it out. I watched Leno’s last show, and it just didn’t seem sincere at all. It looked like he was reading his “heartfelt” thank you from a cue card. I watched Conan’s first show, and it was just boring. I hardly laughed at all. Maybe he’ll get better within time, but right now, it’s not looking too well. Also as a side note, I don’t think Jimmy Fallon is funny either. So I’m definitely… Read more »
I tried to watch Conan but find the canned laughter irritating. The banter with the band is missing- the band looks very old school like from the 50’s. I mean whats with all the clapping, hooting and the band going crazy when Conan comes on to stage- that is just so ridiculous. Jay was warmer and so generous with others on the show- Conan seems to want all the attention to himself. I hope he changes the program based on things people are saying.
Bore to death, not funny at all, miss Jay and Johnny thats for sure, Conan go to 3 am, this way you wont hurt too many people except the idiots
I am from Malaysia and had been enjoying Jay’s company every weekend. Over here, the Jay Leno show was shown on Saturdays and Sundays and they were like pleasant weekend retreat and I most look forward to.
I wanted to try Conan O’ Brian but I couldn’t get past the 1st 15 minutes. He is boring and his jokes are not funny. I might be wrong but I have this disturbing feeling that he is a racist too. So, bad choice, NBC.
Conan is for a younger generation. Older generations don’t understand him and there is nothing wrong with that but that doesn’t mean he sucks. Letterman is the popular choice among the 50+ crowd. Many of the people who comment that Conan sucks are comparing him to Carson. The majority of the crowd that Conan appeals to doesn’t even remember Johnny Carson because they were 5 when he went off the air.
Conan has and always will be FUNNY, he is one of the best late night host ever! Everyone who is saying hes werid and child like, well thats what makes him funny, i dont want to see some lame guy like david letterman or fallon on there, someone to make me laugh, and conan is that guy! he might be better than jay leno
I watched his first show and he has not changed at all just as silly as he was in the late night spot and still makes all these crazy faces and acts so childish….he needs to grow up if he wants to host The Tonight Show. A lot of my friends told me the same thing he needs to grow up and not be so childish.
I will take Jay Leno any day.
I’ve never been a fan of Conan or his screaming trumpet intro, but I gave his Tonight Show debut a chance thinking the producers saw something in him that I missed. The Tonight Show now seems like nothing more than his old show slid into a new time slot. I’ve tried ABC and CBS since then, but I’m ready to just go to bed earlier or record Jimmy Kimmel to watch the next evening. Looking forward to Jay Leno’s return in September. What was NBC thinking? I’m with others: silly and funny are two different things, and I counted on… Read more »
I tried to get into the hype and watch Conan during his first week debut, but it felt like someone trying force a spoonful of untasty medicine down my throat! I’m sorry but he is just not funny…corny and silly, yes, but not funny. (Sorry Conan.)
Conan is the best. It was time for a change. He is hilarious and intelligent.
Without delay, Conan should be relieved of his post. He may be an entertainer, but he annoys me. And, apparently, a large segment of the “Tonight Show” audience is annoyed as well. Comedy is a tough trade, and late night comedy may attract an audience that likes to be snarked at. But the “Tonight” crowd aren’t amused. I’ve deleted Conan and TTS from my PVR lineup.
Fred Willard would make a more pleasing host – he has that gentle humor – as well as a dead pan delivery that might be more appealing to the post prime time crowd.
I think that the tonight show has had it’s final curtain call unless they replace Conan… I tried to give him a chance, but it is time for him to go. As long as he is on the show I will no longer watch and I even watched since the 70’s but no more it’s time to explore my cable channels. It’s just not him it’s his side kick the tommy boy actor wanna be, not funny at all, even if he wasn’t there it still wouldn’t help the show. I am truly sorry the Tonight Show was the last… Read more »
Conan is not the right voice for the Tonight Show… he is too cynical and weird… I actually liked him in after hours TV, just not right for this slot — not classy enough