Image Credit: Noel Vasquez/Getty ImagesConan O’Brien brought his 32-city “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On TV Tour” to Universal City last night in Los Angeles – and the irony wasn’t lost on the 46-year-old funny man. “This is my first time back to Universal Studios since I lost my job,” he quipped to the sold-out house at the Gibson Amphitheatre, which O’Brien said was less than 400 yards away from his old Tonight Show soundstage. ”Sit back and enjoy an incredibly awkward show.
“Listen very carefully,” he added as he pointed in the direction of the NBC-Universal lot. “Bad ideas are being greenlit.” As for why he decided to come back to his old stomping grounds, O’Brien joked “my Cobra insurance was about to run out.”
Like his previous shows, old friends like sidekick-turned-announcer Andy Richter helped anchor the festivities, while a new collection of celebrity guests like Jonah Hill (Superbad), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), and Aziz Ansari (Parks & Recreation) helped to faciliate an old O’Brien show staple involving outrageous clips from Walker, Texas Ranger (though the bit is now named the Chuck Norris Rural Policeman Handle). But the biggest surprise of the night involved Jim Carrey, who came on stage dressed in a Superman costume to join O’Brien in a duet of “It’s Not Easy to be Me.” The crowd roared and gave them a standing ovation.
“I want you to leave here thinking `that was sort of worth it,’” O’Brien joked about the show.
The day O’Brien began his tour in Oregon, TBS announced that O’Brien will host an 11 p.m. talk show for the cabler beginning in November. The question that now lingers is where O’Brien will tape the much-anticipated show in Los Angeles. Though O’Brien had fun with the idea of returning to Universal Studios last night, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he would consider using his old Tonight Show set. After all, NBC spent a reported $50 million to overhaul the former sound stage of the Jack Benny show and the original Knight Rider TV series into a lavish home especially for O’Brien. Now that O’Brien’s left NBC and Jay Leno is back at 11:30 p.m., the fancy set remains vacant.
Meanwhile, business continues to look up for O’Brien – who remains contractually obligated to stay off of TV and radio until September. The comedian’s production company, Conaco, is reportedly close to signing a development deal with TBS’ sister company, Warner Bros. TV to create new series.
O’Brien is set to perform again tonight at the Gibson Amphitheatre before moving on to cities like Phoenix, Dallas and Boston.
Ugh. I’m tired of hearing his beyond ignorant name.
“Ignorant name”? You’re stupid.
Then don’t read the article jackass. Oh, and then post what a whiner you are.
Charles, shut up. You’re taking up valuable space and air.
You sir, are an ignorant fool (talking about Charles btw, Conan = God).
Don’t you hate it when people praise mortals like they’re Gods? Gosh, can’t stand it!
I don’t care about his tour, but I’m looking forward to his show on TBS this fall. I think this network will be more fitting for Conan.
And yet Charles reads the article. Charles = Leno drone… AWAY YOU!
Wish I got the chance to see Coco on his tour.
But was it funny? this is the 3rd review I’ve read of his tour. In Times and Vareity, everyone describes the event and says the audience applauded, but no one says if it’s good or not. Everyone reviewed the Tonight Show the same way. I guess we are supposed to like him.
I took my fiance last night for his birthday. I’ve rarely laughed so hard in his life. He was truly hilarious.
Your fiance’ is on the down-low. Better get tested.
Oh stop feeling sorry for Coco. He is doing well money wise. His show sucks big time! No surprise.
We don’t bother with haters. Step off.
If the people who went to see it applauded, I presume they enjoyed it. O’Brien’s fans are the only ones who ultimately matter, since they’re the ones who miss him on the Tonight Show and who will watch him on TBS. I doubt he’s going to win many new converts.
I Hate Coco
I Hate Jay Crappy Leno!!!!!
You mean Crappy Leon!! I refused to type that jerk’s name ever again.
Craig Ferguson is out doing standup comedy this week and killing, all by himself in much larger halls than Conan and his cast of thousands are filling. Can we have minute-by-minute breathless reporting of Craig’s tour? He’s actually, you know, a skilled comedian and funny.
*ugh* Someone always brings up this guy (Ferguson) and i just never get the appeal. The tv is usually on CBS (after watching Letterman, and all, in the background–lead in NBC, lead in) and Ferguson is always supposedly saying or doing something funny on my tv screen and the audience is supposedly laughing it up, and not once do i laugh it up with them. I really don’t get what people find funny with Ferguson schtick… :S
Ugh……..Craig is funny. Coco is pathetic!
It’s cuz he has a monstrous weiner./
Actually the halls Craig appears in are very small compared to the arenas Conan is appearing in. Next up for Craig is the Cincinnati Masonic Center. ‘Nuff said.
I was at last night’s show. Yes, it was funny. My husband and I laughed to the point of tears many times, as did the people seated around us. Conan seemed to be having the time of his life on stage, playing lots of guitar, singing, changing into ever-more-ridiculous costumes (like an old purple-leather getup of Eddie Murphy’s). We all gave a standing O at the end, and he and the band (and all the celebs who had cameos during the Walker Texas Ranger bit) came back out for an encore. Wish I had tickets for tonight’s show!
When Craig Ferguson replaces Letterman on the Late Show only to be replaced himself by Letterman in a very public, messy manner.. then they’ll do a minute-by-minute reporting of his tour. I find it funny that you don’t understand why everyone is reporting on this tour, yet… you’re reading the articles aren’t you?
i was there and had a blast. i didn’t really like his move to the tonight show, but i think that was more NBC hindering him. i didn’t need all the nods to his shows, but it was fun nonetheless, self-pleasuring panda especially. he did a little standup, a lot more music than i expected. side note: the jim carrey duet was “superman” by five for fighting. rice needs a fact checker.
Same song. Two titles.
Great show last night. Forgot what it’s like not to have to force myself to laugh.
Almost free, folks! Almost free!
I’m really starting to get annoyed by the people who throw Craig Ferguson’s name around like he’s some comedic genius. Until November, he is the best late night host but that isn’t saying much. I don’t want to badmouth him too much because I do like him but he just rambles on and on and every ten minutes he’ll say something very funny but it’s a long process just to get a good joke. Maybe it’s because I watched Conan for 15 years, since I was a kid, but I’ll stick with him.
Agreed. I like Ferguson a lot, but he is WAY, WAY overrated by some folks.
I was there last night, and it was awesome! Conan was hilarious and very energetic. Loved the bit where he came out in Eddie Murphy’s purple leather suit. Also loved his “intimate conversation” with the audience, the pre-taped Triumph bit and Conan “getting in shape” bit, and of course, the “Chuck Norris Handle” bit (btw, Jack McBreyer from 30 Rock was also there). And yes, Jim Carrey and Conan were singing “Superman” – hence why Jim Carrey was wearing a Superman costume.
Lynette: This article also says that Conan is 46, but in fact he just turned 47. You may remember that EW recently wrote a piece about how Eddie Vedder serenaded Conan for his birthday last weekend…
Michael,
Actually, I’m not reading the Conan articles–just like I never read articles about Donald Trump, another no-talent. I’m sick of scrolling past the names of these two losers to get to something I’m interested in. What’s the deal EW? Is Tiffani Theissen on vacation? Is that why we get so many headlines on Conan and Trump?
So you’re just a nosy b*tch then eh, Jean?
Mind your own business and f**k off.
Coco sucks and so do YOU Ugh! Um since you both suck……….mmmmmmmmmm. LOL
Conan is my friend and he loves me.