A Triumphant Return to NBC Late Night
Conan O’Brien made a long-awaited return to NBC’s late-night lineup on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, marking his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon since he hosted the iconic late-night show a decade ago. The 60-year-old comedian made his mark as the host of Late Night with Conan O’Brien for 16 years before stepping into the role of The Tonight Show host from 2009 to 2010. His return, as expected, stirred up a whirlwind of emotions and nostalgia.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
The appearance was particularly significant for O’Brien, who hasn’t been back to the Tonight Show studio since his tumultuous exit in 2010 when Jay Leno reclaimed his former role after O’Brien’s brief seven-month tenure. The emotional weight of walking back onto the set, which O’Brien describes as a place filled with vivid memories, was evident during his conversation with Fallon. “It’s weird to come back,” O’Brien confessed. “I haven’t been in this building for such a long time, and I haven’t been on this floor in forever.”
The Controversial Exit from ‘The Tonight Show’
His history with the Tonight Show was marked by dramatic changes. O’Brien’s brief stint as host ended abruptly when NBC decided to bring Leno back, resulting in a much-publicized shift that still resonates with fans today. Despite facing the tough reality of losing his job at the time, O’Brien remains composed, often taking the high road when discussing his departure. In a May 2017 interview with Andy Cohen, O’Brien jokingly remarked about the awkwardness of running into Leno, saying, “I’m watching a movie and my headphones are on and I don’t think we ever actually talk.”
Opening Up About His Struggles
Though he never fully embraced the drama surrounding his departure, O’Brien admits that the transition was emotionally tough. He shared candidly in a 2010 interview with 60 Minutes, stating, “I got very depressed at times. It was like a marriage breaking up suddenly, violently, quickly. And I was just trying to figure out what happened.”
A New Chapter: The ‘Conan’ Era
Following his exit from NBC, O’Brien was given a substantial settlement and quickly launched into a new chapter of his career with Conan on TBS, where he remained until 2021. The show allowed him to develop new creative outlets and forge a deeper connection with his audience. “When we started putting this tour together, I started to feel better almost immediately,” he said, referring to his nationwide comedy tour that followed his departure from TBS. He confessed that comedy was the best antidote to the emotional upheaval he had just gone through.
Conan’s Lasting Impact on Late-Night Television
In recent years, the late-night landscape has shifted with a new generation of hosts, but Conan O’Brien’s legacy in late-night television is undeniable. Fans are eager to see how his return to The Tonight Show fits into his journey and whether it marks the beginning of a new era for the beloved comedian. Despite all the ups and downs of his career, O’Brien’s return serves as a reminder of how much late-night television has evolved—and how one of its most iconic voices has played a major role in that transformation.