Conan O’Brien’s First TBS Monologue: Still Bitter About The NBC Break-Up

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by Steve Krakauer | 11:40 pm, November 8th, 2010

» 8 comments

Conan O’Brien made his return to late night TV tonight with the first episode of TBS’ Conan. In some ways, the opening monologue of the premiere picked up from where he left off in the two weeks of his former NBC show – a lot of references to his now-ex-employer.

Only now, he’s on Twitter.

O’Brien started with a joke about his “2nd annual first show,” and transitioned to the social networking tool he’s employed since leaving NBC. “Yes, I know what you guys are thinking: ‘Hey, it’s the guy from Twitter,’” he said.

Then it was to the reason for calling it Conan (“I did it so I’d be harder to replace”) and a reference to his dream reference that he talked about on the Tonight Show (“I’ve dreamed of being a talk show host on basic cable ever since I was 46″). The most direct shot: “It’s not easy doing a late-night show on a channel without a lot of money and that viewers have trouble finding. So that’s why I left NBC.”

Obviously, he had to address the issue, but as Toure noted on Twitter, “Conan’s given us like 10 jokes about the past / getting fired. They’re working but he can’t do them after tonight.” We’ll really get to see what O’Brien’s new basic cable late night show will be like once the focus shifts from fired to funny. Which likely comes soon.

Conan also made a “Brett Favre’s penis” joke and the Masturbating Bear made an appearance (although not by name):

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LeviCoult

I have to admit I lol’d
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Mangan/100000213524770 David Mangan

I stopped watching Leno after he hijacked his old time-slot back from Conan in a very mean-spirited display of sheer egotism. I was reminded he didn’t have kids because they would interfere with his collection of automobiles. I do like the Jay-walking sequences, but the rest isn’t that funny. Letterman is worse than mean-spirited and egotistical, so watching that guy who lays fecal material on his own doorstep is also out of the question. So Conan it is, except for the Daily Show.
wendymaddy

Welll, it’s about time! I missed the ole redhead stick figure! He’s actually put on a few ounces – or is it just the weight of the beard? Anyway, he looks great, he’s still funny and fresh, and the ole gang came with him, I see. He could leave off the bear, but even I, miss squeaky clean, laughed at his Bett Favre joke because it was so unexpected. The guy is really funny, and nicer than most of the talk show hosts. Refreshing! Welcome back, Conan!
Michael_T

Leno and Letterman are pulling in approximately 4M total viewers.

I’ve got to think there are realists at TBS who in their heart of hearts would be happy with 1/2 that – somewhere in the 1.8M – 2M total viewers he used to get on his old program “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”.

As to the key demo (25-54) I would think 800K-900K would be considered acceptable after the initial higher ratings due to the promos and those viewing once or twice just to check it out,

I wish him well. He seems like a decent caring performer. I just don’t find his shtick particularly funny. But that’s just me.

Heck, I didn’t even like the popular movie “The Hangover” for the same reason. I am just not a fan of silly sophomoric sketch comedy. SNL comes to mind as the epitomy of bad sketch comedy..
wulun54

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bealzebubba

LeviCoult said:
I have to admit I lol’d

As did I. Though I was quite tired so I watched maybe the first 15 minutes and that was it.

I’d be bitter too if I found out that my employer went behind my back to make a deal with the guy I replaced.

Conan is better suited for a later night crowd anyway…still plenty of 50-60 somethings watching the night time talk shows after the news…his humor wasn’t really for them.

BTW, I wish we could do more about the spam-comments….something other than showing our approval or disapproval.
stoogedudes

Like I said on Facebook yesterday, our national nightmare has come to an end: Conan’s back!

It was like old times. That said, it was almost identical to his Tonight Show and Late Night shows. But then again, I don’t really want him to change. He was funny as usual, and now I’m going to have to DVR Jon Stewart and Colbert.

God, I love my DVR.
Nachi

Conan: A hero to the ADHD Generation. Duhh.