What Happened to Late Night with Conan O'Brien?
Late Night with Conan O'Brien was an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien, airing on NBC from September 13, 1993, to February 20, 2009. After a controversial brief stint hosting 'The Tonight Show,' O'Brien moved to TBS with 'Conan,' which concluded in June 2021. Currently, O'Brien is active with his successful podcast 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend,' hosts the Emmy-winning travel series 'Conan O'Brien Must Go' on HBO Max, and has hosted the Academy Awards in 2025 and 2026.
Quick Answer
Late Night with Conan O'Brien ended its 16-year run on NBC in February 2009, as Conan O'Brien transitioned to host 'The Tonight Show.' Following a highly publicized conflict with NBC, he departed 'The Tonight Show' in 2010 and launched 'Conan' on TBS, which ran until June 2021. As of August 2026, Conan O'Brien continues to host his popular podcast 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend,' stars in the HBO Max travel series 'Conan O'Brien Must Go' (with its third season premiering August 21, 2026), and has hosted the Academy Awards in both 2025 and 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Writer for Saturday Night Live
Conan O'Brien began his television writing career on the iconic sketch comedy show 'Saturday Night Live,' where he won an Emmy Award.
Writer for The Simpsons
O'Brien joined the writing staff of the critically acclaimed animated sitcom 'The Simpsons,' contributing to its early success.
Late Night with Conan O'Brien Premieres
Conan O'Brien took over the 'Late Night' slot on NBC, replacing David Letterman, and began his 16-year run as host.
Signed Contract to Host The Tonight Show
NBC announced that Conan O'Brien would succeed Jay Leno as the host of 'The Tonight Show' in 2009, setting the stage for future late-night drama.
Late Night with Conan O'Brien Ends
The final episode of 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' aired, concluding its successful 16-year run on NBC.
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien Premieres
Conan O'Brien took over as the host of the iconic 'The Tonight Show' on NBC.
Tonight Show Conflict and Departure from NBC
Following NBC's attempt to move 'The Tonight Show' to a later slot for Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien refused the change and negotiated his departure from the network.
Conan Premieres on TBS
Conan O'Brien launched his new late-night talk show, 'Conan,' on the cable channel TBS, continuing his career with long-time sidekick Andy Richter.
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend Podcast Debuts
O'Brien launched his highly successful podcast, 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend,' featuring celebrity interviews and co-hosted by Sona Movsesian and Matt Gourley.
Conan (TBS) Ends
Conan O'Brien's nightly talk show on TBS concluded, marking the end of his 28-year run as a traditional late-night host.
Conan O'Brien Must Go Premieres on HBO Max
O'Brien launched his Emmy-winning travel comedy series 'Conan O'Brien Must Go' on HBO Max, where he visits fans from his podcast around the world.
Hosts 97th Academy Awards
Conan O'Brien hosted the 97th Academy Awards, receiving positive reviews and contributing to a five-year ratings high for the telecast.
Podcast Wins Two Ambies
'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' won two Ambies, including Best Comedy Podcast and Best Ad Read, at the podcast industry's major awards event.
Hosts 98th Academy Awards
Conan O'Brien returned to host the Academy Awards for the second consecutive year, presiding over the 98th ceremony.
Delivers Harvard Commencement Address
Conan O'Brien delivered the commencement address at his alma mater, Harvard University.
Conan O'Brien Must Go Season 3 Premieres
The third season of 'Conan O'Brien Must Go' is set to premiere on HBO Max, with O'Brien traveling to the Philippines, India, Morocco, and Amsterdam.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Late Night with Conan O'Brien premiered on September 13, 1993, filling the slot vacated by David Letterman. Initially met with skepticism, O'Brien, a former writer for 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The Simpsons,' gradually carved out a unique comedic niche, characterized by surreal humor, self-deprecation, and memorable recurring bits. The show, featuring Andy Richter as his sidekick until 2000, ran for 16 successful years, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
A significant turning point in O'Brien's career, and the show's eventual end, came with the 2004 announcement that he would succeed Jay Leno as host of 'The Tonight Show' in 2009. 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' aired its final episode on February 20, 2009, as O'Brien moved to Los Angeles for his dream job.
However, his tenure on 'The Tonight Show' was short-lived and controversial. After just seven months, NBC attempted to move 'The Tonight Show' to a later time slot to accommodate a returning Jay Leno, leading to a highly publicized conflict. O'Brien famously refused to participate in the proposed schedule change, stating it would 'seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting.' He departed NBC in January 2010 with a substantial settlement.
Following a successful live comedy tour, O'Brien launched his new show, 'Conan,' on TBS on November 8, 2010. This marked his return to late-night television, maintaining his signature style with Andy Richter by his side. The show initially ran for an hour but was reformatted to a half-hour in January 2019 to adapt to changing viewing habits. 'Conan' concluded its 11-year run on June 24, 2021, bringing O'Brien's nearly 30-year career as a nightly late-night host to an end.
Since then, Conan O'Brien has transitioned to a multi-platform career. His podcast, 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend,' launched in November 2018, has become immensely popular, featuring candid interviews with celebrities and winning multiple awards, including two Ambies in March 2026 for Best Comedy Podcast and Best Ad Read. He also developed the Emmy-winning travel series 'Conan O'Brien Must Go' for HBO Max, which premiered in 2024. The show has been critically acclaimed, earning two Emmy Awards (Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program in 2024 and Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special in 2025). As of August 9, 2026, O'Brien is preparing for the premiere of 'Conan O'Brien Must Go' Season 3 on HBO Max on August 21, 2026, which will feature his travels to the Philippines, India, Morocco, and Amsterdam. Furthermore, O'Brien has taken on the prestigious role of hosting the Academy Awards, having hosted the 97th ceremony in 2025 and returning for the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, to widespread acclaim.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Late Night with Conan O'Brien made different choices?