# What happens when Conan takes over "The Tonight Show?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 27, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402 "2008-02-27T19:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/1 "2008-02-27T19:17:08Z")
I’m having a hard time understanding what to expect - does “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” basically become “the tonight show,” or does Conan merely step into “the tonight show” with kevin eubanks and shitty m.o.r. jokes? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/2 "2008-02-27T19:22:37Z")
[QUOTE=TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW] I’m having a hard time understanding what to expect - does “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” basically become “the tonight show,” or does Conan merely step into “the tonight show” with kevin eubanks and shitty m.o.r. jokes? [/QUOTE] Conan O’Brien cannot do middle of the road jokes. Have you ever seen him host an awards show? That is just not his forte. If he tries to go middle of the road the show will fail. If he sticks with his current show, it will not play to a wide enough audience and the show will fail. Either way, Conan will not be on longer than three years. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/3 "2008-02-27T19:23:37Z")
I’d probably expect some of the “wackiness” to go away. Much like when Letterman went from the late time slot on NBC to the earlier spot on CBS. The show loses some of it’s edge, less frat-boy and more main stream. Expect more of the low key Conan to show up nightly rather than the high strung Conan. He’ll have a more mature audience watching so I wouldn’t expect to see Pimp-bot and the masturbating bear to make appearances. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/4 "2008-02-27T19:28:51Z")
But what actual format change happens - does Conan leave his current show to become the host of a different show, or does Conan’s show “become” The Tonight Show? ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/5 "2008-02-27T19:31:13Z")
The opening monologue will definitely be funnier. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/6 "2008-02-27T19:32:16Z")
Just a guess but I would say he relocates to Burbank, CA and does the show from there. That way he gets the guests from the LA scene while Letterman gets the NY scene. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/7 "2008-02-27T19:38:15Z")
[QUOTE=TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW] But what actual format change happens - does Conan leave his current show to become the host of a different show, or does Conan’s show “become” The Tonight Show? [/QUOTE] Conan leaves his current show to become the host of a new Tonight Show that is formatted any way he feels like doing it. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/8 "2008-02-27T20:05:37Z")
I have to wonder why there only seems to be like 2-3 people deemed by the networks to be worthy of hosting a late night TV show, ever. In a nation of 300+ million, it would seem that they could perhaps widen the hiring pool just a tad. I mean WTF is up with guaranteeing O’Brien the Tonight Show gig years in advance? (I think it’s years; seems like I heard about this a couple of years ago). This is one of the reasons why the networks are getting their lunch eaten by cable channels, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/9 "2008-02-27T20:16:41Z")
Conan was guaranteed the Tonight Show job because he’s been doing Late Night for a long time, and could have left for another network if NBC didn’t make it worth his while to stick around and follow Leno for a little longer. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/10 "2008-02-27T20:28:26Z")
[QUOTE=TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW] But what actual format change happens - does Conan leave his current show to become the host of a different show, or does Conan’s show “become” The Tonight Show? [/QUOTE] I’m picturing a Tonight Show that opens with a guy doing a monologue, who then sits behinds a desk with a coffeecup on it and some kind of cityscape in the background, banters with a band leader, does a few scripted comedy bits, chats with a few celebrity guests, and possibly invites a musician or stand-up comedian to end the show. Since Conan’s current show (along with many others) essentially follows the Tonight Show format, why would you expect anything significantly different? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/11 "2008-02-27T20:32:11Z")
[QUOTE=TWDuke] I’m picturing a Tonight Show that opens with a guy doing a monologue, who then sits behinds a desk with a coffeecup on it and some kind of cityscape in the background, banters with a band leader, does a few scripted comedy bits, chats with a few celebrity guests, and possibly invites a musician or stand-up comedian to end the show. [/QUOTE] You forgot the fake old-timey microphone. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/12 "2008-02-27T20:33:35Z")
For more information, see [this](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/arts/television/27leno.html?ex=1361854800&en=5df85ed027a1ea43&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink) article from the New York Times, which says that ABC, Fox and Sony Pictures Television are quietly talking to Leno about a new program, because he’ll be free in a couple of years. Also, the article agrees with **Marley23** ; the present deal was set up to prevent Conan O’Brien from going somewhere else. They expected that Leno’s popularity would wane over time but instead, he’s more popular than ever. (They could keep Leno on, but might then owe Conan as much as $45 million in a penalty payment.) And Jimmy Fallon is supposed to take over for Conan. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/13 "2008-02-27T21:39:08Z")
What happens when Conan takes over “The Tonight Show”? I stop watching it. On his current show the monologue is even less funny than Leno’s, I find his whole self-deprecating _schtick_ annoying, and most of his so-called “comedy” bits are repetitious and sometimes in questionable taste (seriously, what is so amusing about a masturbating bear?). ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/14 "2008-02-27T21:57:03Z")
[QUOTE=LurkMeister] What happens when Conan takes over “The Tonight Show”? seriously, what is so amusing about a masturbating bear?. [/QUOTE] What _isn’t_ funny about a masturbating bear? Some of the comedy bits fall flat, but that adds to the fun of the show for me; they take some chances, some of which are bound to fail. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/15 "2008-02-27T22:02:28Z")
[QUOTE=Dewey Finn] And Jimmy Fallon is supposed to take over for Conan. [/QUOTE] God help us all. I don’t know if Conan would move to LA. I can’t imagine Conan being without the Max Weinberg 7, and I’m skeptical that they would all uproot themselves for CA. I think it would be easy enough to have the Late Night host move to LA (or, if it really is Jimmy Fallon, the Siberian tundra). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/16 "2008-02-27T22:07:16Z")
[QUOTE=TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW] I’m having a hard time understanding what to expect - does “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” basically become “the tonight show,” or does Conan merely step into “the tonight show” with kevin eubanks and shitty m.o.r. jokes? [/QUOTE] Almost certainly, Conan picks his own bandleader, announcer, writers, etc. I would expect most of the current personnel of Late Night to come with him, much as Letterman’s staff came with him to CBS, although some of them might not want to make the move from NY to LA. [QUOTE=An Arky] I have to wonder why there only seems to be like 2-3 people deemed by the networks to be worthy of hosting a late night TV show, ever. [/QUOTE] I would imagine it’s one of the hardest jobs in show biz. You have to be responsible for five hours a week of watchable, preferably funny, television. Give a job like that to someone who hasn’t proven they can do it, and you could end up with the Chevy Chase show. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/17 "2008-02-27T22:09:51Z")
Conan? Weeping, crushed enemies, lamentation of women, etc etc. 😃 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/18 "2008-02-27T22:10:32Z")
[QUOTE=Cuckoorex] What _isn’t_ funny about a masturbating bear? Some of the comedy bits fall flat, but that adds to the fun of the show for me; they take some chances, some of which are bound to fail. [/QUOTE] Seriously…masturbating bear eqauls comedy. Yeah, it’s stupid but that doesn’t mean that I don’t kill myself laughing everytime he comes out. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/19 "2008-02-27T22:20:40Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] Conan? Weeping, crushed enemies, lamentation of women, etc etc. 😃 😃 [/QUOTE] That was my first thought when I saw the title as well. “This evening on the _Tonight Show_, Conan decapitates the band leader ! In our next segment, Conan extorts valuables from the studio audience at swordspoint . . . on the _TONIGHT SHOW ! !_” ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-conan-takes-over-the-tonight-show/439402/20 "2008-02-27T22:34:31Z")
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