Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993–2009) User Reviews (102)

Funniest Guy Alive

[keisha_anne · 8/10 · 22 February 2004]

Conan is not only the king of late night, he is king of comedy. Period. The first thing you see every night on his show is this tall, sharp featured guy walk out on the stage. Immediately, he becomes animated and does his little trademark dance and jump that you can't help but laugh at. You're immediately put in what Conan likes to call "the laugh zone." His opening monologue, obviously not written by him, doesn't always have the funniest jokes. But Conan is the only guy I've seen that could take a lame joke and make it hilarious using physical, animated comedy played off audience reactions mixed with charm and wit uniquely Conan. His smiles and laughs are infectious and his facial expressions endless. You can't help but smile and sympathize with his innocence and self bashing (for instance, when talking to Ruben Studdard about the falsity of rumors, Conan exclaimed "Yeah, I'm not gay!" His smile immediately fell into an expression of "what the hell did I just do?" That you had to sympathize with). His sincerity is unmissable; he is always completely genuinely interested in his guests and what they have to say. He does everything possible to make them feel comfortable. In an interview of Conan he said it is his job to make every interview on his show funny and to make the guest comfortable. He says he never thinks "oh, that guest was a real lunker" because if the interview sucked, it was his fault, not theirs. As I Canadian, I have to say how lucky we were to have the best comic alive come and shed some light on our vastly overlooked country. I hope Americans found it funny and maybe know a little bit more about their neighbor. I hope all the controversy can be cleared up and forgotten and forgiven so that Conan can again soon come back to our country. My wish is that it becomes an annual thing. Or better yet, semi-annual!

You won't ever see a funnier, more animated, sincere or charming comedian than Conan. I don't watch much TV. Conan is the one and only show I make sure I watch regularly. There's never been a show were I didn't feel completely uplifted after. I could describe him for hours but you have to see him for yourself to understand. "Keep it cool my babies!" Long live the king!

Great comedy, a bit edgy but fun.

[nunohipolito · 8/10 · 28 August 2006]

I love this show. It's not as high brow as say the Today Show, nor as down to earth as Jay Leno's show, but it sits perfect in the middle.

Conan is a very intuitive comedian, which can pulls great lines from nowhere and even leave guests in trouble, if they insist on keeping a straight face.

The music is alternative, even obscure at times, but at average good.

I liked the show better when he had his sidekick Andy. I think the show now depends way too much on O'Brien, and sometimes fails because of this.

Otherwise it's a great show, with great comedy and music.

the start of the show tho :/

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 7/10 · 24 October 2016]

Now here's a prime example of "if it ain't broken, don't fix it". Conan has been doing the same ole same ole and yet it's still entertainment. I'd like to see more skits - lately they are scarce, and get Andy involved more, I enjoy the change up and his skits. He's a great sidekick! BUT I have to say, I get annoyed at every intro with the constant nipple fetish... PLEASE stop, it took off 2 stars off my rating as it annoys me that much every single time. Like what's up with that anyway? Also, please stop the Japanese bowing... you're not Japanese. Otherwise, keep up the good work! Oh, and moving the show around the nation and even the world (Cuba was jokes!) is amazing, don't stop and more please!

Easily the best late night talk show ever

[in_no_big_hurry · 10/10 · 18 June 2004]

Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, Letterman, they are all alright. but usually when i watch one of them, it is because an actor or musical act i like will be on. Conan is the only talk show i watch just to see him. they could have a channel of nothing but reruns of Conan shows, and i would watch it all day. i did not become a hardcore watcher(every night) of Conan until maybe six months ago, and i feel cheated for not being able to see the 10 years of shows he did prior. He is hilarious, Max is hilarious, all the little skits they do range from terrible to genius, but even the terrible ones make you giggle from the sheer stupidity of them. Hilarious. Truly one of the most consistently funny shows ever, up there with South Park, Arrested Development, and the best sitcom ever, Scrubs. The humor may not always work, but they are never afraid to attempt jokes and skits you can not believe are on a huge network show. Max and Conan have this chemistry, its like they have no chemistry kind of, and that is what makes it so great. I never get tired of Conan making fun of how crappy he and his show is, even though we all know it is the exact opposite. Definitely worth staying up for.

King of Late Night

[renaldo and clara · 13 July 2001]

Yeah, ok...most people still think Leno is, but that'll all change in time.

See Leno and Conan are complete opposites. Both hosts are extremely entertaining, but when Leno's up on stage, you can tell he's kinda' just a cute monkey in a suit who's told to read his cue cards. *Then* he sounds funny. But Conan actually starts off funny; doing physical comedy, reacting to his audience, etc., but it's often his writers that make him tell lame jokes. Don't get me wrong; they're not all lame. They can get repetitive though, and are actually sometimes too vulgar or tasteless for Conan's classy personality. The funniest parts of the show are when he actually expresses his "what the hell kind of joke was that?"face to what he just said. Conan's cool; he plays guitar, he can be very self-deprecating (though he's toned down a bit -thank goodness), but best of all..he always acts genuinely interested in his guests and always seems to try to learn from them.

I think that what about Conan appeals to a younger audience(19-30 crowd) is not only that he can get away with more explicit material on his show, he also on the other hand shows disgust in any kind of strange sexual taboo(this is what evens out the show.)Example? Like when Conan asked Max Weinberg "Now, come on. Why should *you* have your own generation? Because you're such a good drummer?" "No, because of my hundreds of iligitimate children." Conan makes a disgusted face and we don't know if it's toward the writers or the situation, but we always sympathize and have to laugh!

The only problem I have with the show is I think Conan should write his dialogue. I mean, come on, this guy went to Harvard to become funny and wrote for SNL & he Simpsons!

Long Live Conan! Har-dee-har-har! Me lucky charms!

Brutally funny TV

[KingofCarrotFlowers · 10/10 · 7 November 2004]

This show is absolutely hilarious from start to finish and Conan is in my opinion the best talk show host around beating even Jon Stewart and WAY ahead of the once funny Jay Leno.The humour is so stupidely original that it shouldn't work in any level but it comes out swinging with such greats as the Texas Ranger lever,Conan Hates My Homeland,the deadpan interplay between Conan and Max,the neverending picking on La Bamba or even the celebrities ending sentences(my favorite-O.J.Simpson"I hate being recognized when...I'm killing people"). The guests are also always more loose with Conan(late night)and not desperate to plug stuff as in Leno.

Best late night show, beats out competition by a mile.

[RunningFromSatan · 10/10 · 13 August 2000]

I like Jay Leno a lot (with his headlines, and other things he does), but Conan is better. Why? He has an awesome ability to improvise, and he is a guy who can make fun of himself all the time. It was sad to see Andy Richter leave the show in May, but it wasn't a total loss (a show with a sidekick was an original idea, anyway). His agenda is set up perfectly are funny, too...short, but sweet monolouge, then 15 minutes of fun. I especially like the recent Masturbating Bear skit, and the one where Conan sings to the babies who are supposedly watching...you gotta see it to believe it. I give this show a perfect 10.

P.S. Now it's time to give Richie 'La Bamba' Rosenberg A Chance To Tell Everybody He's Gay!

Better and funnier than Leno

[MovieAddict2016 · 10/10 · 24 May 2005]

I've always liked Conan O'Brien much more than Jay Leno. Conan is naturally funnier, doesn't offend the celebs as often as Leno but is just as sharp and biting - just in a funnier way. His facial expressions are classic and the sketches and everything on his show are much better than "The Tonight Show." I worked for CNBC in London for a week recently and they manage the UK airing of Conan and Leno there. Employees I talked to told me that they think the English generally find Conan funnier because, somehow, he relates more to English humor, whereas Leno is far more "American" and his jokes are more targeted towards the US.

I don't know if that's true, but I certainly would say Leno's jokes and delivery are not as funny as Conan (who used to write for "The Simpsons"!). Conan just has more energy, charm and charisma and for that reason alone I've always loved his show more than Leno's.

The funniest Conan has ever been

[Maniac-9 · 10/10 · 7 February 2012]

The best material on late night television that Conan O'Brien or any late night host for that matter will always be Conan's stint on NBC after Leno. Between PimpBot 5000, the Masturbating Bear, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Amy Poehler playing Andy Richter's sister the show had literally the funniest stuff on late night TV ever, by far.

Before Andy Richter left the show him and Conan would play off of each other to perfection. Max Weinberg had his moments in skits himself, in addition to leading the house band.

When Conan first took over the Late Night gig after Letterman left for CBS he was still working through things and perfecting his act but by season 3-4 they were running on all cylinders.

The Funniest Late Night Show Is, Well, "Late Night"

[Kevagorn · 10/10 · 28 January 2003]

In 1993 writer and sketch comedian Conan O'Brien took over "Late Night" from departing host David Letterman. The first few years were a hit and miss affair, with Conan and his sidekick Andy Richter coming to terms with being on TV every night. The early seasons were, as admitted by Conan himself, not very good. NBC gave the show a chance to grow though, and their trust has lead to "Late Night" emerging once again to be one of the funniest shows on television.

The show's biggest strength of course is Conan himself. His light, conversational interviewing style, bolstered by a quick wit makes even the most boring celebrity seem interesting. Conan actually listens to what they say and plays off them, never making fun of them or making them look stupid, even though they might be just that. His sometimes awkward demeanor and self-deprecating sense of humor makes him the most likable host on television today. Contrast that with Craig Kilborn's smarmy, unfunny television persona, and it's easy to decide who to watch at 12:35 am.

At its heart, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" is a comedy show. The show's signature bits, such as Actual Items, If They Mated, and In the Year 2000, are always funny and irreverent. Every now and then Conan will take his desk for a drive around town (with the help of an audience member and the wonders of green-screen special effects). Occasionally he talks to his announcer Joel and his half-naked Asian male prostitute. The video of Max Weinberg having sex with Max Weinberg (oh, special effects!) is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Also great are Conan's remotes, such as his hilarious trip to bartending school, his day apple picking with Mr. T, or the video shoot for his boy band Dudes-A-Plenty. Oh, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is a wonderful comic creation - for me to poop on!

The show suffers only from it's celebrity guests, who occasionally can be as interesting as watching paint dry. But it's a talk show - ya gotta have guests. I just don't think I can take another 7 minutes of Alyssa Milano, ever.

I highly recommend that anyone who wrote off this show in it's early years take a second look. Or get some sleep - you've got to work in the morning, darn it!

A product of our times

[randyw01 · 6/10 · 29 December 2006]

The show has traits from different factors. Our current society is basically accepting of mediocrity and a short attention span, which the show provides.

The show appears on network TV, so it attempts to a wide generic audience.

The show has a late time slot, taking advantage of looser standards, resulting in some tacky mean lowbrow unsophisticated humor.

The New York basing of the show provides an audience that is sort of loud and judgmental, quick to boo or cheer on whatever whimsy they are feeling.

The types of comedy are an amalgamation. There are sketches that are fictional forms of comedy used by other shows based on "real life". Some Late Night sketches use actors ( from local comedy troupes ) sitting in the seats posing as audience members; may of these particular sketches repeat themselves, with the exact content changing a little but not to the point of really doing anything new.

Occasionally Conan will head out into real life, taping his adventures ( sometimes along with another employee of the show ) encountering actual people; I consider these bits some of the better results of the show, since they have a lower amount of nastiness and weirdness.

Another comedy piece I go for are the Recliner Of Rage complaints by Pierre Bernard. Bernard is basically a mad with a good proper heart, with a steady real job ( he works for the show ), who has a few pet peeves. It's good that Conan isn't hard on him.

What does Conan think of the humor of the show? How much of it does he write? It's hard to say.

Conan often plays up to the camera with little antics. Occasionally he blurts out in song, adding a strange unexplainable note at the end. Other times he'll jump at the camera near the end of the monologue, with a whip of the hand over his face like he's dancing. It's basically a sign that he's settled in with being a talk show host, compared to the first two seasons ( when the show was rumored to be vulnerable to cancellation ).

Andy Rickter was the sidekick for the early seasons; he didn't do much, but that's basically a sidekick's situation.

The band is good, and likes to ham it up. They seem to have a good time in the various comedy skits that feature them.

Announcer Joel Goddard is a bit of a mystery; he has only one pre-Conan credit for any work in the television or movie industry. Where did he come from? What's his life history?

Most of his comedy bits have a lack of dignity, but I suppose it doesn't bother him because they are just jokes.

Puts The "L" In Late Night Talk Show (MAYBE SOME LIGHT SPOILERS)

[I_Am_The_Taylrus · 10/10 · 4 May 2007]

I am going to try something different today. I am going to try not to spoil anything, but I am putting SPOILERS on just in case.

SPOILERS

I have recently become a fan of late night talk-shows. You know, the Tonight Show With Jay Leno, and all of those. Well, this happens to be the best late night talk-show out there. It is amazingly funny, always fun, and how could you not love the Evil Puppy? All the skits are great.

Yeah, this is better than the Tonight Show, but only by a little bit. Like all late night talk shows the structure of this is basically interviewing celebrities, but there are some unique twists here and there, such as Celebrity Survey, and If They Mated. Conan is extremely funny and gets a bit strange at times, but he is perfect like that.

Overall, this is a great late night talk show, and if you can stay up late enough, definitely catch and watch this after the Tonight Show.

Anyway...

A must-see for anyone who loves comedy or talk shows. This is definitely the best of the best.

10/10

Recommended Shows: The Tonight Show.

Conan was doing so well until he got political

[williamsonandcompany · 6/10 · 4 June 2019]

I used to watch from time to time but recently saw him make fun of the queens voice and Donald Trump. Such a shame because that's all the other shows do and I liked that Conan did not. Bummer

Moronic humor

[miaclockman · 1/10 · 20 January 2009]

I can't forget when I was in Los Angeles and saw Jay Leno live at a comedy club. He had the audience rolling in the aisles for well over an hour. I hope that his new time slot will take his audience with him.

I have no idea WHY NBC chose Conan for the Late Nite Show. His humor is moronic and, as a host, he doesn't know when to stop at times. One night he was interviewing Hugh Laurie and he began using a very bad Cockney accent. Hugh was visibly annoyed and Conan just didn't seem to pick up the body language and continued ad nauseum. Finally Hugh shut him up with a comment.

I have no idea what audience NBC is hoping to reach, but I for one am changing the channel to something else. I wonder how long it will take for the ratings to drop... he reminds me of some socially maladjusted person who is trying to use humor to "fit in".

Late-Night Comedy At It's Best

[musicandme · 11 September 2004]

'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' will put at least a silly smile on your face every time you watch it. Conan gives viewers a good and fun hour to just let loose. With all of the hysterical skits and witty humour, you'll wonder why you didn't watch this show to begin with. Conan O'Brien makes a delightfully wonderful host and can take even the boringest subjects and make it funny for everyone.

Granted the show has had its moments of non-funny stupidity, but there's no doubt that you'll be laughing again within the next ten minutes. Not only is this show great for laughs, but it features a wide variety of special guests varying from movie stars, singers, political figures, to some of the weirdest people you will ever meet. Conan has been praised in the past to be equal to or even better than 'The Tonight Show'! And you'll definitely know why when you see it.

I, myself, have watched this show for nearly seven years and I can assure that 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' is late-night TV at its best.

Masterclass

[gregtheassilian · 10/10 · 27 September 2023]

Need I say more? Conan is the best talk show host there ever was and there ever will be. He even continues to host a hilarious podcast with his assistant and associates. Even though I love all of his work, this late night show specifically was my favorite. The combination of his quirky comedy monologues, snort inducing sketches, and the badass Max Weinberg and the Tonight Show Band made for a really entertaining show. The set was also really retro and I enjoy that it was in New York because he could easily go outside and film his funny hijinks. I also love his interview style, the way he interacts with his guests brings out the funny in them and he asks great questions, I look back on old clips often and fondly. He's also very kind. This show is beyond a 10/10. Looking forward to see what Conan does on HBO.

the king of late night

[drebin73 · 10/10 · 24 February 2006]

most people would agree Conan O'Brien is the king of late night television. His show now is almost thirteen years old. They made this special into a primetime special so i watched it then. Conan O'Brien has the funniest sketches. Whether it is In the year 2000, the Walker Texas ranger lever,if they mated or celebrity survey they are all so funny. I have never gotten through an episode of Conan with out laughing. He is essential to my night, It's like my mother tucking me in. It is that same type of comfort that I get when I watch Conan. I love everyone on this show: Max Weinburg and the max Weinberg seven and announcer Joel Goddard. They even have there own late night characters such as Frankenstein and the FedEx pope and the newly acquired evil puppy.(not triumph)This show is worth staying up for.

Sweet

[laughiiititus · 10/10 · 16 July 2006]

Late Night is my favorite show on TV right now, and I wish more people would stay up late to experience it! I've already turned three friends onto it. I truly think anyone would find someone to love about it. Personally, I love any scene with the adorable and hilarious pompadoured Conan O'Brien. He isn't afraid to make fun of himself and anyone else around him. Also, the skits they do on the show have a Monty Python-esquire nonsense quality that you just have to laugh at. Conan's comic style can turn even the most boring interview into a sketch, which is what every talk show really needs. This show is top-notch in entertainment. I really can't say enough good things about it! If you haven't checked this show out already, do it! Jetzt!!

<3

A reason to stay up

[A_Friend_of_Sarah_Connor · 10/10 · 27 February 2007]

In the current world of late night talk shows, 2 hosts are always compared: Jay Leno and David Letterman. Does it have to do with quality? No. Is it because they can make you laugh until your sides hurt? No. It's because of an earlier time slot. That's right, an hour makes a huge difference, even for people who aren't awake in the first place. With that in mind, I add a third name to that list: Conan O'Brien. Sure, Jay and Dave have their moments, but nothing comes close to the amount of laughs I get 5 out of 7 days of the week when I watch "Late Night". There's no point in going into great detail, but it's enough to say that Conan can make me smile even after a big fight, or a disappointment, or whatever. From the short (but off the wall) monologues, to the "improvised" conversations with band leader Max Weinberg, to the hilariously unique interviews, the show hits hight marks in all categories. Where else would you get characters like "The Interrupter", "Vomiting Kermit", "Sears Tower dressed in Sears clothing", and, of course, "The Masturbating Bear"? And while everyone from Johnny Carson to Leno have comedy skits, they usually aren't as funny (In my opinion, of course) as "Celebrity Survey", "If They Mated", or "The Walker Texas Ranger Lever". In conclusion, about the only bad things I can say about Conan and the show in general is that there are some things that are too randomly stupid to be funny and Carson Daly comes on right after. 10/10

Great TV

[kjman10 · 10/10 · 15 June 2007]

"Live from New York, its Late Night with Conan O'Brien" is a phrase that will always be in my head. Every night at 11:35 (here in the Midwest) is the best time of the day because Conan comes on. No matter what type of mood one happens to be in at the time when they watch this brilliant television they are forced to laugh by Conan's silly and genius remarks about important current events or those events that pollute our society. He often has on guests where he actually talks to. Unlike those shows on Comedy Central, Conan takes time to laugh with his guests and actually hear what they have to say. Opposed to Comedy Central's shows where their hosts make fun of the guests the whole time.

This show is highly recommended for a long (60 minuet) laugh!

Epic late show!

[bobemil · 9/10 · 3 August 2021]

The perfect host and good writers. So much better than any other late show.

Big Conan Fan NOT amused with the new format

[matthijsalexander · 8/10 · 9 February 2019]

Big Conan fan, not amused with the new format.

That Conan has a midlife crisis and tries to change things up, cool. But that set isn't really nice. Bring back the desk! And 20 minutes, that's way way too short.

Your time has come

[talis-briedis · 1/10 · 19 September 2007]

When Conan started long ago, I watched it and found it refreshing, funny and different. I was not able to watch Conan for several years and now for the past year have been watching regularly again. Well, I was SOOOOO disappointed. I struggle watching each episode. The first thing that annoyed me was Max Weinberg. Nothing good to be said about him. NExt is Conan's repetion of emty words to fill the time. Pathetic. Skits have become weak and gross. I usually have a late night snack and I will have to put my food away during Conan. Lorne Micheals has a great eye fr talent, but has a hard time dealing with it when it gets stale. That so obvious with his ventures with SNL. It is high time to put Conan out to pasture. Don't understand what he got an Emmy for. But the Emmy are generally a bad joke, just like Oscars. €Maybe he can still write a skit or two for SNL, but I have serious doubts. Goodbye Conan!!

12:35 am is fun!

[AllisonLVenezio · 18 April 2002]

Who's that man with the carrot top hair? It's Conan O'Brien!!

Conan O'Brien, a former writer for both "Saturday night Live" and "The Simpsons" brings his irreverant humor to the barren wasteland that is late-night television. At the start of his hosting gig, he was branded for failure by every critic, but managed to push on despite the odds. Now, he's one of the most-beloved and praised talk show hosts today.]

I have personal experience with "Late Night," and I don't even work there. Two years ago, during my Junior year of high school (2000), I took a trip to NBC Studios NYC to see a taping of "Late Night." Seeing this experience set me up for life, as I am now a freshman Communications major (sophomore in Fall 2002) in college. I actually did get close enough to Conan--he shook my hand!! Quite possibly one of the greatest moments of my life!

I love everything about "Late Night"--especially the comedy segments. "If they Mated" is by far one of my personal favorites, as is the recent segments on "Inspiration Jesus Statues," and "The Moving Lips," where Robert Smigel superimoses his mouth on a politician or celebrity while on a television monitor. Triumph the Comic Dog is so disgusting, but so funny you can't look away, not even when he was humping the dog at the Westminster Dog Show. ("Tickle me Silly--she could tickle me silly anyday!", "How can such an innocent dog be such a filthy whore?" "For me to poop on!")

I am among many fans when I say that I miss Andy Richter, but this show is always wonderful, and I enjoy watching it. If you love "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," I highly recommend staying up late to watch this gem. Believe me, it's worth it!

something's missing...

[mattkratz · 8/10 · 8 June 2009]

This was a decent follow-up to David Letterman's version of Late Night. Conan was under a lot of pressure as an unknown following a legend in a high-pressure talk-show slot and behind not just one but several eight balls, and he did a credible job and held his own in Late Night, and he made it his own. I think he was reasonably funny and several of his skits were good, especially "In the Year 2000" and "Triumph the Insult Comic Dog." Those were my favorites. He suffered a loss when Andy Richter left but still managed to survive. It was decent entertainment. It shows how well he handled pressure and that he can be a survivor;however, he was not as funny as his predescessors.

** 1/2 out of ****