Hello all and again Happy New Year. Be sure to check Thacant often throughout this new year as it will be home to great content, easy reading and good times all around.
Now, on to the late night wars. I (like most of my colleagues at thacant) have long been a fan of Conan O’Brien. Conan’s monologues, skits (Year 3000 anyone?) and demeanor have always made him a favorite of mine and a late night host who stuck out for his originality and style. After Jay Leno tanked at 10 p.m., NBC made the choice to move him to 11:35, bumping Conan and The Tonight Show to 12:05. Conan fired back at NBC, defending himself and refusing to give in to this move, preferring to give up the franchise he fought so hard to take over.
I applaud Conan O’Brien for his integrity and grace in handling this manner. One of the things people love about Conan is he seems more like one of us, like a man of the people. Walking away from The Tonight Show and the easy money because he does not agree with the move, and is insulted by the way his bosses treated him only makes me respect Conan even more.
Late night television certainly will not be the same without the great Conan O’Brien. Rumor has it he will pop up at Fox at some point, with a new late night talk show. I will definitely watch his new show, just as I will definitely not be watching Jay Leno and The Tonight Show. I used to be a Jay Leno fan, but now I cannot stand the chinned one. (Although I must admit, this controversy has made for some exciting television as monologues have been better than ever between Conan and Dave).
Thank you Conan for the great laughs, great memories, and for sticking up for what you believe in. In an industry full of fake people and primadonas, you stick out, not just for that hairdo, but for being a man of the people.
Count me as a member of Team Conan.
