About (Late) Last Night: Conan O'Brien keeps kicking TBS

Conan O'Brien started week two of "Conan" the same way he started week one: by mocking his new network, TBS. Basic cable just can't cut it after NBC, at least according to the half-smug, half-scorned act O'Brien has been running for miles now, since his exit from "The Tonight Show" last winter.

After trying on a fake red beard (over his real red beard) from an audience member, O'Brien's monologue began on a familiar note. "Can you believe it? We're into week two of the new show," he said. "I think the folks at TBS really liked week one because I overheard one of them describe it as not just good, but 'According to Jim' good. In their world, that's huge."

But that doesn't mean he isn't grateful for the audience that followed him to the TV graveyard. O'Brien was beginning to tell a joke about airport security when a loud laugh interrupted him. He had yet to say anything funny.

"That's how nice my life is now," he said, deviating from the script. "I kill with the set-ups to jokes." He did a little dance.

After another well-received joke and small bit of physical humor, O'Brien humbled himself. "Don't encourage that kind of crap," he said to the audience. "You're like bad parents."

Like an old O'Brien monologue, the best parts were not the prepared jokes, but the host's interjections, interactions and watching him handle his unruly body. He bobs around stage and mimes exaggerated movements like an eager child begging for attention in his living room, but it works and he commands the stage. He's so comfortable already that if you will yourself not to see the logo, it could almost be NBC.

-- Joe Coscarelli

Comments

[Ouch]

Sorry, the show is boring and he isn't getting any interesting guests, all respect to LLCool J of course. There is nothing different, I feel after a month the show will fizzle out once the novelty of his 'return' is over.

[RMJ]

What is so wrong with Conan knocking NBC and TBS? I don't understand.
Everybody dumps on their old bosses or their current jobs every now and again. I think as long as the jokes are funny and warranted, he should be able to say whatever he wants.

Last night's show was great, by the way. "Conan's" getting better with each episode.

[mandy]

Already bored with Conan just like I was when he was doing the Tonight Show. He repeats himself day after day in his monologue. I could have done it for him during his NBC reign. Starting tonight it's back to Chelsey Handler. She's funnier.

[David Zeta]

I'm enjoying every second of the show, if you are truly a Conan Fan, you'll agree with me, the show is really funny! I know i will get way better! but for now the show is very entertaining!!

[nikki]

I haven't seen the new show yet but i am a a conan fan
cant wait 2 c the new show..i can't stay up for late nite tv!!
my daughter saw it once and didnt find him funny but then again she's 13

[Raffy]

I am loving Conan's new show! He is hysterical! So comfortable in front of an audience and, unlike the other talkheads, his guests genuinely like him and that resonates. So funny to hear these articles talking about him blasting NBC or TBS, because no one else ever does that, right? What planet do you exist on? You go Conan!

[az66]

Mandy says: " Starting tonight it's back to Chelsey Handler. She's funnier."
OHHH. So you're the one watching that show? I knew it had to have at least one viewer. Oh wait, that's right. I don't hang out with culturally self-isolated homosexuals and angry fat girls, so maybe that's who watches it. Honestly, being self-centered and bitchy and being blatantly racist towards Mexicans isn't really much of a comedy routine. She sounds like any random idiot rambling just loud enough for everyone to hear at a Beverly Hills coffee house. When she talks it sounds like one of those conversations you accidentally overhear in a restaurant or bus stop or something that makes you want to stick an ice pick in your ear just to stop the idiotic blathering.

[A T]

Conan.. the negative remarks are hired hands of NBC. You keep up the good work and play your guitar more. Of course we want new and old. And remember NBC messed up. You and Jay have different styles. It's just a shame what happened. Sometimes I feel if I was told I had to retire would I feel fired? Maybe so, but after four years of knowing it was coming and you bow out with a great end show and then you're offered a show leading into an old spot it takes away. Your ratings never had a full chance. I think that is what bothered me the most. NBC were idiots. You won't fizzle. You have too much talent. chessgal

[A T]

Go Conan.

[Marlo]

The show is GREAT! Conan, is GREAT! I'm DVR-ing the show everynight just to do my part for the ratings (yea I know.. one guy isn't going to make a difference). This is it though, we are finally going to get the Conan we've always wanted. Conan is here to stay. Let's bump those ratings!!

[Why writers pretend to know Conan?]

I Love it when writers pick a topic and pretends that they know the "old" Conan....Conan has always made fun of the network he is on...ALWAYS....TBS isn't any different. People who post that he is not funny are ridiculous....seriously has Jay Leno or letterman done ANYTHING different in the 100 years theyve been on the air?...no...still a list of jokes they read off, not once, but twice during every episode...."top ten reasons why blah blah insert joke...." Conan always has new characters, new monologues, and tries new things....

[JMS]

It's standard talk show shtick to rag on your network. They all do it.

[myself]

I have loved Conan from the very beginning ,he is very fun, and funny.
He is someone I would love to have as a friend. Yes he makes jokes about networks,so what. Last I heard, we had freedom of speech in this country.
All the people who think he is a jerk, are jealous of him on every level.
He gets great guests, Its very rare that he has a guest on the show that I do not know,or at least heard of. I laughed my ass off watching the first episode on TBS,
I almost choked to death on my dinner. Why do people care so much about LITTLE comments he says about the network, get a life. Conan is probably the best thing that ever happened to TBS, That's why they hired him I'm sure.

[myself]

WE LOVE YOU CONAN,THANKS FOR MAKING US LAUGH,EPISODE AFTER EPISODE :)

[JohnDoe]

I love Conan. His show is great. Conan is Conan. He's been the same since 1993, so if you didn't like him then, you wouldn't like him now. He's still the same goofy looking red-headed hilarious dude. Apparently this writer does not like Coco. So what?

[laith]

soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosilly

[lord sandwich]

The show is funny. TBS has a sense of humor about itself, you should too. It doesn't take a genius to understand and face the fact that According To Jim stinks. His writers and performers are the best. Who in the hell could argue that the creepy dancing moon guy from a previous bit moving on into the airport security pat-down bit to conduct a groin pat down with giant Mickey Mouse hands isn't funny? That would have made a cat laugh. You will never see that on The Tonight Show with boring ole Leno and his mean-spirited Jay Walking. Conan is a funny comedy writer that created the most inventive Simpsons episodes and SNL sketches and a TV pilot with Adam West that should have been a hit if only people were not so dunder-headed.

[MattP]

Obviously Joe Coscarelli has never watched Conan before. He made fun of NBC when he was on NBC, he is now making fun of TBS because he is on TBS. Nothing new. This is his act. Self-depreciation. He has been making a living off it for years. Unlike say Letterman, who has been making fun of public figures for years for doing the same things hes been doing with his female staff for years.

[Warren]

It's a real shame that the retirement home Republican Leno audience doesn't like Conan. What a shocker. Conan doesn't kill with every joke but he makes up for his bombs with his wit and personality and that's why he's 500x better than Leno. When a Leno joke bombs (which is quite often) he just keeps rolling along. Conan doesn't patronize his audience and he doesn't do the same tired skits every week.

[Gingershavenosoul]

I'm not a hire hand or w/e of NBC Conan just sucks...his jokes are lame and he's been whining about being a crappy comedian and losing his job about it for far too long