O’brien ends TBS show with wit, gratitude
LOS ANGELES — Conan O’brien stayed true to form as he wrapped his TBS show “Conan” after nearly 11 years, bouncing between self-deprecating and smart-aleck humor before allowing himself a touch of sentiment.
“Try to do what you love with people you love, and if you can manage that, it’s the definition of heaven on
Earth,” he said, marking the end of his third late-night show over 28 years. It’s a tenure second only to Johnny Carson’s 30 years on “Tonight.”
O’brien’s next venture is a weekly variety series for HBO Max.
The hourlong “Conan” finale Thursday was largely a trip down memory lane with clips of guests including Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Sarah Silverman, and highlights of specials taped outside the United States. Will Ferrell appeared by Zoom from Boston, with Jack Black on hand to salute O’brien.
Ferrell noted that he has been a guest for the conclusions of O’brien’s previous shows, “Late Night With Conan O’brien” and “Tonight,” both on NBC but with widely varying runs: the former from 1993 to 2009, the latter for less than eight months in 2009-10.
“It’s kind of become a tradition,” O’brien said of Ferrell’s presence.
“It’s become (expletive) exhausting,” Ferrell replied. He proceeded to perform farewells that he suggested O’brien should bank for probable future need.
Black limped onto the stage wearing an orthopedic boot, which he and O’brien explained was because of a badly sprained ankle Black suffered during pre-taping of what was supposed to be a big-finish action and dancing skit.
In its place, Black serenaded
O’brien and his longtime sidekick Andy Richter with revamped lyrics set to the signature Frank Sinatra standard, “My Way.”
“Conan, you are my friend. You are the best, and so is Andy,” Black sang, switching up the lyrics to honor “Con’s way.”
The host, whose gravity-defying, trademark swoop of red hair has remained virtually unchanged through the years, wrapped up the show with heartfelt thanks to his colleagues, family and fans.
“I have devoted all of my adult life, all of it, to pursuing this strange, phantom intersection between smart and stupid,” things he said many people believe can’t coexist. But when the two come together, he said, there is a tiny flicker of “what is a kind of magic.”