Conan & Executive Producer Jeff Ross Tell The Origin Story Of “Late Night” | Inside Conan

Conan and Executive Producer Jeff Ross walk Mike and Jessie through the origin of “Late Night,” from hiring writers to the first-ever cold open. Plus, Conan reveals the alternate show title he and Robert Smigel pitched to NBC.
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Team Coco is home to a collection of hilarious podcasts covering celebrity culture and interviews, dating and sexuality, mental health and daily affirmation. Subscribe to see exclusive video clips from Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend (Hosted by Conan O’Brien, Sona Movsesian and Matt Gourley), Literally! with Rob Lowe, Why Won’t You Date Me with Nicole Byer, The Three Questions with Andy Richter, May I Elaborate? with JB Smoove, Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley, Inside CONAN and Good Game Nice Try with Aaron Bleyaert and Sonja Reid.
ABOUT TEAM COCO
Team Coco is the KZbin home for all things Conan O’Brien and the Team Coco Podcast Network. Team C saoco features over 25 years of comedy sketches, celebrity interviews and stand-up comedy sets from CONAN on TBS and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, as well as exclusive videos from podcasts like Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Literally! with Rob Lowe, Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer, The Three Questions with Andy Richter, May I Elaborate? with JB Smoove and Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley.
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[@NASkeywest]

Conan’s dad sitting on the front porch telling him everything is going to be ok and work out….followed by a truck coming crashing through the fence is peak comedy.

[@easye5653]

"Lorne sent a truck up to take Coney out of his Misery". LOL.

[@lucasschuh4009]

They need to release more of these full video podcast episodes

[@masterninjahh]

i would pay monthly for them at this point

[@latheofheaven]

​@@masterninjahh Don't give them any bloody ideas! 😒

[@masterninjahh]

@@latheofheaven i've been waiting years to watch this podcast. i don't drive long commutes so audio podcasts are boring to me. i'm fed up at this point so i'm willing to pay. i watched conan for like 18 years and the only way to get my fix is to stare at a wall and listen

[@aemontargaryen7259]

It’s a sirus Xm and I think they have the videos on their app, but you’d have to check

[@stprm2013]

they dont care. People asked them constantly, but they ignore. They wont release it even for money, let alone for free. They have all cameras, record everything, but not releasing it. Maybe they feel like sometimes they dont want to be filmed, IDK... but then again, they are filmed anyway...

[@wallysworst]

can't wait for the inevitable Conan biopic starring Tilda Swinton

[@boxer12350]

Rupert Grint

[@elizabethlarson9655]

Frankly, I still think we need "Nighty Night with Conan O'Brien.

[@fdrstan]

Watching Conan, Andy, and Max as a high schooler in the 90's when I was supposed to be asleep are some of my favorite memories.

[@mrkool9009]

i can relate to this. he made staying up late worth it. it felt like being part of an exclusive night owl club

[@asdfzxcv3617]

Who is Max??

[@mykeljewell]

I can watch 70000 hours of this conversation

[@ap6160]

3:55 "that other guy...somebody" that was so satisfying to hear 🙂

[@jackdaw99]

And Jessie’s silent *I forget* 👌

[@asdfzxcv3617]

Yeah, it's great.

[@dudezombie1498]

what's the lore behind this

[@parodoxicalconfucius703]

Leno

[@benda18]

For all of Conan's comedic talents, he's also a natural storyteller. He can zone in on exactly the level of detail needed to convey a message and either park ideas that are out of order or dismiss them if not needed.

[@braluk]

The amount of work that went to keeping Conan running, and doing it for 5 or more nights, 50+ weeks a year and for decades is astonighing

[@shotgun_shaun]

10:14 the man, the legend: Starburns

[@brotherless]

Conan emerges as the GOAT. I miss his sensibility, and even more I miss his humanity.

[@soapywoodswitch]

I can't stop laughing about "Nighty Night" 😂

[@tinyhato]

They laughed at the marketer's "He's tall" marketing, but as someone who was in his target demographic at the time, that's exactly the kind of introduction that appealed to me. And I think that kind of meaningless non-sequitur was a good match with the humor of the show; so not only did it appeal, it also served as a good introduction. I don't know if they went with that, but to me it sounds like that marketing would have hit it out of the park.

[@kevinw712]

I LOVE the fact that they actually named checked the sneaky reporter. Very often anymore when this type of story is being told, people will stop short of identifying such a person, and I understand why, but in this case I think it was appropriate. It was a highly unprofessional thing for that person to do.

[@davidhurtado2725]

What did he actually say? Gonna try to dig it out

[@smoked_pepper_USA]

@@davidhurtado2725 Frazier Moore said that Conan looked shaky and uncomfortable during the dress rehearsal, probably unsuited to host a talk show; after the first episode and the first month on air, he then criticized Conan for being too giggly, too reliant on self-deprecation and bad at performing pre-planned material. Moore kept comparing Conan's ratings to Letterman's to suggest that the new Late Night was going downhill. Here's what he said about Andy: "Even porky sidekick Andy Richter has a certain reverse appeal, coming across as the jerk Conan befriends because if nice-guy Conan didn't, then who would? ...Skeptics were left with only two lingering questions: Can Conan curb that nervous giggle? And will Andy Richter ever say something clever?" ("Conan's first night a worthy effort," 9/16/1993) credit to u/paulz726 on the Conan subreddit for the links to the newspaper archives

[@jackdaw99]

@@davidhurtado2725I think Andy talked about it in one of his Inside Conan interviews. There’s at least two but both are worth a listen

[@davidhurtado2725]

@@jackdaw99 gonna check it out. Found many article but none describes what was said

[@timvanboening9432]

I loved the “Last Week On Late Night” openings. Those ridiculous scenes made me laugh tremendously. I was a teenager and the humor of the whole show was like me dialed in and written by people who got me.

[@TWOhype23]

I was always slightly fascinated by Jeff Ross during whole talk show run. He was barely ever on camera and when mentioned or even in rehearsal clips he always seemed like the complete opposite of everyone else in the studio. It’s pretty cool to hear from him and the stories him and Conan had. :)

[@Chalepastel]

anytime Conan called out Jeff on camera I died laughin

[@jasonoliveira2149]

I just watched the first cold open along with Conan running out to greet the crowd for the first time. He had a big smile and gave a charming head-bob highlighting his impressive and approachable pompadour as the crowd was going wild. Then I cut back to this interview-at 50:31-and Conan is staring off into the distance saying, " Every once in a while you find photos............someone was taking photos that day......."

[@joshuawhite4031]

We demand "Nighty Night with Conan O'Brien!!

[@samwisethegreat89]

I really hope we get the next installment of this series soon. I love these behind the scenes stories of overcoming the odds.

[@lga9046]

Watched your first show, still watching you now. You're our Letterman, no matter how the cookie crumbles, and you can take that to the bank~!

[@davidrodriguez5721]

Watching this I would like to see an interview with Lorne Michaels. I think it would be cool to get his perspective or storytelling.

[@bdre5555]

I've been watching Conan since the very first show. His show started right around when I had graduated from high school, and was starting college. Watching him became a nightly ritual. I've been a huge fan ever since

[@brownkemosabe]

03:47 'that other guy' yep. He did everybody dirty! Letterman deserved better, and as did Conan. But all's well!

[@sippachu9721]

this needs to be turned into a movie has everything it needs except a romantic interest

[@BrickTamlandOfficial]

the bear wearing a diaper is so romantic though

[@jasonpollock7628]

I love Conan so i can play the love interest.

[@abrackas1]

Jordan disagrees in various ways

[@whosyodaddy13]

No romantic interest? Pssh!!! Conan and Andy have had the most torrid TV love affair of all time…so intertwined that they became, “CANDY.” 😆 Also, do you not remember the “Max on Max” bits they used to do where Max Weinberg would make love to another Max Weinberg? Lmfao 🤣

[@zym6687]

@@whosyodaddy13 Andy the Swedish German?

[@nancykillsyou]

For the record, “Nighty Night” is perfect.

[@28cosmos]

It's 'Perfection'.

[@Bear-re5xm]

conans tombstone: "Nighty Night"

[@acerjuglans383]

Conan is more serious when he's with his soldiers in arms.

[@stephensorensen4477]

Robert Smigel is comedic genius - Please Bring back Triumph?! 🐾

[@artresearch]

25:33 - idk why but the set designer's temper tantrum story reminded me of this old Kids In The Hall "Atrium" sketch (s04e19) ☺

[@vancouverviking4652]

Trust me Conor. You helped so many with depression over the years ❤

[@vancouverviking4652]

AP is dissemination

[@trev3971]

Interesting that they talk about how rearranging 6A would be totally unheard of, as I just read an article about how the Kelly Clarkson Show now shoots in 6A with home base rotated 90 degrees and the seating completely changed.

[@tommim4353]

I love this retrospective, having been a huge fan and enjoying Conan's early years ... part of my story

[@MegaSolidG3K]

@10:15 Shout out to Star-Burns #SixSeasonsAndAMovie

[@icetech6]

Thanks for posting the entire video! Wish you would do this with all guests.

[@federicojohns]

So happy to get more than just a clip

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

Over the past couple days since conan was on hot ones ive been binge watching interviews of him and ive come to really appreciate just how much of a comedy geniuse he is and probably the closest thing ive had to an idol in a long time. (Ive been a fan for years but ive just never really sat down and appreciated him)

[@SeaBeast902]

One of my fav eps yet! Love the peak behind the curtain, hope there will be many more

[@kdcowled]

I’m so happy this exists

[@djmetcalf3815]

Please continue!

[@lucasbosier6808]

I love these videos of y’all explaining the past and how it somehow worked with everything the way it was, I’ve probably seen your first video like 12 times (I wish I was kidding) so more of these are beloved.

[@lukeguilfoyle2425]

Been waiting for this one to drop, can’t wait!

[@DemianNuur]

Great chapter! Looking forward to more!

[@JasonGlisson]

I've watched this twice, and it's just so interesting to hear what was going on behind the scenes. To all of us, things were just normal. Sure we knew there was some pressure on Conan, but all of the trials and tribulations are very crazy to hear about.

[@jackdaw99]

Hey, didn’t know this was up on KZbin! hope this means part 3 is in the making, loved both 1 and 2 and have been waiting impatiently since August lol

[@paulak3331]

I've been waiting for this ❤

[@Carfeu]

These are gold

[@stafomosakez]

I remember watching the Late Night Show with Connan O'brien as a kid and thinking that Max Wineburge looked like my dad, but cooler. I always thought my dad would be so much cooler if he drumed. IDK what this means, but I'm sure it's factored into my life decisions.

[@iaco.mp4210]

OMG I've been waiting for this for the longest

[@carrielondon5535]

Man oh man, am I excited to watch this🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@jeffward1106]

Fantastic 😍

[@burtlancaster5867]

Please do another one of these!

[@Supernaut_]

I was relistening to the first part last night. I willed this.

[@28cosmos]

More power to you

[@doppiovinegar1292]

I really enjoy this, it's like a rags to riches story, really inspiring to be better

[@billbrasky1288]

I watched the late night show religiously from day 1. I was about 11 years old at the time in 1993. I continued watching Conan through the TBS days. I have no memory of Letterman on Late Night. I guess I was too young to be up that late, although I did occasionally catch Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.

[@-homerow-]

Part 2 please!!!

[@jsythe7143]

Nighty Night is a fantastic name.

[@dutyfreeadventures5924]

As a tangent halfway through, I went and watched the first episode ever. Good stuff, holds up.

[@Odb718]

Now I wanna see that show!

[@sergioventura2595]

This will be super interesting just like last installment

[@rickyd-lux9067]

3:50 "that other guy"

[@BeardedGaming96]

More long form content please 🙏🏼

[@jacktough]

Jeff Ross' pep talk to Conan: "You're going to like the way you look, I guarantee it"

[@herrqwertz3567]

These are the juice i run on

[@treborretsnom6186]

I love every part of Conan history.... How??? How for Christ sake are we NOT? ... not, interviewing David Draiman??? Billions

[@JP-kp9kh]

This is great stuff.!

[@ROBMEISTERN]

So it is possible to post whole episodes? Do this for the best of CONAF!

[@GeorgiaOverdrive]

they showed the cold open during a test show Frazier Moore attended. He mentions it in his article from September 11th 1993.

[@sarcasmo57]

That was very interesting.

[@mrslaughterville4523]

Whenever I hear Jeff Ross, I wonder if the episode was recorded in a cave😂 He sounds like Conan's mumbling echo! 🦇🦇🦇

[@raoulduke7844]

Jeff Ross is a comic genius and deserves all the recognition he gets. ❤

[@MrSuperbear90]

Jeff get off your alt account please

[@stinkerton]

Bit of a non sequitur... but yes, he is the Roast Master General.

[@tktru]

Wrong Jeff Ross

[@generaljellyroll8737]

“There was nothing wrong with that name until that no talent ass clown started winning Emmies” - Michael Bolton

[@stinkerton]

there's two?!@@tktru

[@HumblyArtsy]

57:20 Any chance could you upload some of the test shows? I’d be so interested to watch this

[@LIamaLlama554]

Can we please discuss the Walker Texas Ranger lever.

[@benjaminphelps561]

i really hope it isnt another full year before the next one of these!

[@lachauntiswashington231]

This is great 😄👍 👌 👏👏👏

[@deesnutz42069]

the thing about Conan's taurus is, it isn't just a regular taurus. it's the SHO. it's a sleeper.

[@whosyodaddy13]

That Taurus is as iconic or more so than the A-Team van or the Batmobile.

[@LIamaLlama554]

Super High Output in Emerald Green Metallic

[@patreekotime4578]

Oh, it's a sleeper all right.

[@easye5653]

And it's a Stick Shift! Awesome!

[@Kylefassbinderful]

It's interesting about how network people didn't wanna meddle in the creation of the show. When I got promoted to manager at work a lot of people didn't think I could do it. As a result they threw me on the closing shift with next to no help. I had to do everything. But as a result I learned everything, gained confidence, realized I didn't need anyone else when it came right down to it, and I learned to work with less and less as time went on. So in the end when your boss throws you out to sea because they think you'll probably fail you just gotta keep swimming until you hit shore. Or until a magical Dolphin comes by as whisks you away to a magical rainbow world.

[@bucky1066]

YES

[@wingflex5367]

"You didn't like my set? Wellll you're gonna dieee!!!"

[@jessebluespncr]

at this point I don't understand why all the episodes are not available in video on youtube. You would gain views and revenue on top of the audio version.

[@andywiggins3978]

You need a daily show, Conan

[@grumsproduktion4083]

Is it me or are the volume kind of down? i switched to another video between and damn it was loud...

[@easye5653]

He shouted at One point when i was Dozing off, i just about had a Heart Attack! Lol. (But i also had Ear buds in).

[@juliomarin3755]

Main reason i watched this pod cost so i can know when his coming back to do a tv show

[@onlyghosts7152]

He’s doing an HBO show at some point

[@brewer921]

the sound is too low on all of the Inside Conan videos.

[@notBowen]

Yeah definitely something off at least with this one.

[@easye5653]

Try Ear Buds. Works for me.

[@user-io5zr9vu9l]

Here is a guy who knows a lot about a lot of stuff saying, "I don't know anything about anything" 27:46 God I love Conan

[@ImmortalDuke]

Metricks too and if hangover was a person it would look exactly like Conan here.

[@easye5653]

He Looked real Cool in Part one from 1 year ago! In this one i kiddingly say it looked like a mechanic's Blue Suit. ;))

[@kdtheii]

This entire saga could be tailored to be a comedy series.

[@hamperionsma7218]

Thanks for dressing up

[@user-gt7vn9lz2m]

When is part 2 coming up* C'mon maaaan

[@jackdaw99]

This is part 2, but a part 3 would be nice!

[@Screaminmyear]

Continuation video?

[@trinnityvidaurri3711]

Wait. How is this video view count starting all over?

[@Gringa_L]

❤❤❤

[@ravensdark99]

The funniest thing I have ever seen was George W. Bush as a Cardbord saying to Conan (when the birdflu was a thing) "You gotta understand Conan..those Birds hate freedom!"

[@mikematei]

Would really like to see Conan do some podcast segments talking about old skits. Walker Texas Ranger Lever, Frankenstein Wastes a minute of your time, Minty the Candy Cane and my favorite The ghost of Artie Kendall.

[@jackdaw99]

Check out the pod this video is from, Inside Conan. They’ve talked about pretty much all of this, often in depth, with the actual writers and performers.

[@easye5653]

Did he have "Lick it for 10", or was that Jimmy Fallon?

[@iGaveLiaHIV]

where are the podcast clips

[@vasyan123]

10:14 Starburns!

[@easye5653]

Who is that may i ask?

[@TheDaisycakesandSnowmanShow]

❤

[@elzbthcho]

Hi conan

[@Kylefassbinderful]

I would argue that an alternate title to this episode could be "Origin of Late Night w/Conan: Reinventing Greatness"

[@rodneymineweaser2504]

The cat was there for a reason.