Conan O’Brien Recalls His Darkest Day While Hosting "Late Night"

Conan O’Brien reveals the darkest moment from his early days as a late-night host was when Charlie Rose asked about his bad reviews during their TV interview.
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[@ChrisCalarco-qw4qw]

"If you can survive this, it's going to make the whole story so much better", well said. Keep going..

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

That's the same thing I said to my wife on our honeymoon

[@Jessie-ny9kd]

Love this line👍🏻

[@sonijam]

@@Fister_of_Muppets LOL 🤣

[@ekathe85]

@@Fister_of_Muppets Is that you, Norm?

[@oddassembler]

nah it just compounds the trauma

[@TheAwesomeDarkNinja]

Conan has always been my favorite talkshow host by far. The fact he's also a great person is just the cherry on top.

[@mkhanman12345]

He kind of took over lopez's spot and did to him what Leno did to conan

[@daCubanaqt]

He and Graham Norton are amazing.

[@tracevicente]

@@daCubanaqt yes!!! Graham Norton and Conan are the best! You can be kind and funny - and still rock it.

[@mraycgz]

When I had nothing he made a point of doing something with nothing. Maybe it was all a joke. But I loved it.

[@UncleUncleRj]

@@mkhanman12345 What?

[@Owenwithee]

I worked with Conan when he took over for Leno. He’s a phenomenally great person. Words are inadequate to describe just how decent of a person he is.

[@IPlayOneOnT.V.]

It's great and so funny to see how he lets his subordinates walk all over him, even if it's for a bit he's doing that he wants to see go well.

[@BiffJackson-o4i]

So was Leno from all accounts. What's your point?

[@Owenwithee]

@@BiffJackson-o4i What's my point in saying Conan is an incredibly decent person... um, that Conan is an incredibly decent person... did that trigger you?

[@BiffJackson-o4i]

@@Owenwithee KEEP JAY'S NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!

[@Bdot1588]

Phenomenally great is probably adequate.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

His dads wise words are excellent. I’m gonna remember them for next time.

[@NaNAmbient]

Yup. That hit deep for me as well. And it did make the story better in the end :)

[@NaNAmbient]

@@teflonvsbrillo2025 Are you feeling alright there mate?

[@xhk0Jk]

@@NaNAmbientวัดญานเวศก วัน

[@Stardust_Lily]

@@xhk0Jk ดีวีดีบาสเก็ตบอลขนาดใหญ่ใช้งานยาก ฉันแนะนำพิพิธภัณฑ์ :)

[@hypnotechno]

yes

[@djrondo1224]

Always enjoyed Conan from the start. He and Andy had pretty good chemistry. Quick witted and not afraid to be a little different. Had some absolute hilarious segments.

[@TinaThompsonPlayingtheField]

Their dynamic is amazing, especially considering that they have almost opposite approaches to comedy. Nice balance.

[@Johonnac]

I appreciate that his humor can be super witty or super wacky 😂

[@djrondo1224]

@@TheTrouserPuppetsOfficial Ya that’s what I said. Is it to hard to comprehend or do you think it was mind blowing to you?

[@AkodoNoEyes]

He is so quick witted.

[@phalangeish]

Had SOME??

[@kingmarx810]

I remember being in college in the 90s. We just loved the goofiness of Conan's late night show. It was funny and different than any talk show that came before.

[@nedkent5239]

People should take notes as to Conan being a great human being.

[@Ianuarius]

I'm always taking notes when I listen to him.

[@blackbartthepoet3820]

Human bean

[@allendracabal0819]

OK, I've logged it in my spiral bound. It's on the same page as my note about Alan Dershowitz NOT being a great human being, which someone else suggested I note.

[@javyjavyjavyjavy]

@@pashadyne As are we all

[@javyjavyjavyjavy]

@@pashadyne oh, ok

[@AA-qb7ni]

Conan will always be my favourite talk show host!!

[@theplanetruth]

Craig Ferguson is tops.

[@geloamiote]

@@theplanetruth he said 'my', not 'the world's'

[@coldcorner9902]

​@@theplanetruthno

[@LinkRocks]

Conan is one of the more interesting celebrities out there. I love it when he's on Howard, they have a special connection.

[@GregorioStyreco]

Its not just a special connection, its mutual respect.

[@Havanorange]

That special connection is Howard letting Conan talk without the usual amount of unnecessary interruptions

[@ShinyFlakesShinyFlakes]

@@Havanorange and he still did a few even here

[@leonb2637]

I loved when he lost his NBC gig, he went out on tour which was quite successful, kept his name in the public and it led to the TBS show for a number of years.

[@TheBrendan737]

Conan's remotes were absolute proof that he was a far funnier comedian than the actual show allowed for. His comedy stretches far beyond the reaches of the static talk show format that he had to moderate himself to function in. It actually proved that he was one of the best comedians of our time, with an extraordinarily quick and sophisticated wit. For me, even though I did enjoy his show - I feel robbed that he was pigeon-holed into that alone - he could've made some amazing shows with him as a star if he were allowed to.

[@kevgar57]

Conan?

[@kevgar57]

Seriously though, you nailed it.

[@thomasjones4570]

That can be said for everyone that has ever been a talk show host. Its a format, you do the format...he even used the format on TBS that had no talk shows before him.

[@joaocolaco1498]

Conan and Craig Ferguson are the best talkshow hosts. Very different styles, but they both did their own thing and managed to be very funny

[@DeconstructedWithJosh]

Agreed. Craig Ferguson was my favorite. Also loved Craig Killborn.

[@Lijoje]

Agreed!

[@brettsodrel6456]

@@DeconstructedWithJosh Maybe you're just partial to the name Craig...hmmm🤔

[@DeconstructedWithJosh]

@@brettsodrel6456 haha Maybe!

[@spencerleeb]

Careful Icarus

[@johnt.mickevich2772]

That first year of Conan's Late Night was some of my favorite stuff. So experimental, so raw. I loved it.

[@alainlalonde]

Agreed. I use to stay up to watch his antics. By far my fav. Truth. Absolut legend

[@pseudonym9215]

What makes Conan the best is he is genuinely funny even without his writers.

[@hypnotechno]

super smart. Top of class at harvard

[@EzraCanFlyLA]

Conan changed many lives before being hosting a talk show. He is responsible for some of the biggest names in comedy making it in show business. He himself is also wildly funny and an incredible comedy writer. Goddamn legend. I love Conan.

[@jekw23]

I never understood the backlash to Conan. I always found him hilarious from the start. Just a naturally funny guy that always entertains me.

[@alcachofa03]

That same critic later apologized to Conan and said he was wrong

[@purefunguy]

Critics are losers

[@o.fortuna657]

Shales?

[@ilovephotography1254]

Besides being highly entertaining, Conan is one class act.

[@reymisteryo9163]

I first saw Conan on a segment where he is looking for electric guitars through the internet and he showed up to the sellers' house with Slash to check out the guitar. They ended up on a "Buffalo Bill" house. Since then I always watch his show. 🤣

[@liadcohen8327]

Great stuff. Howard is such a great interviewer because you can see him listening and empathizing. He's not just waiting to ask the next question, the answer will lead to the next question, so he's getting into the thought process of the person he's interviewing. That's not something you can teach.

[@michellefarrier8338]

I 💗 Conan his comedy is hilarious. He does no wrong in my book!!🥰

[@bigredfred33]

He’s was and still is, funnier than any of the late night show hosts.

[@joezulvc9240]

I love Conan's sense of humor as a person and as a interviewer.That sets him apart of other talk show hosts in the US

[@JoeO.]

It could have been worse, Charlie Rose could have invited Conan to a candlelight dinner at his house in his bathrobe with an offer to help Conan “further his career.”

[@cd3949]

How do you know he didn't?

[@stephaniefulton5819]

Conan always has and always will be my favorite talk show host

[@Black_Jesus3005]

Conan is the 🐐! My brother introduced me to Conan and we used to stay up late and watch him together. Great times

[@LeeMilby]

"If you can survive this, it's gonna make the whole story that much better."

[@Drones_and_more]

I wonder if that experience of being shamed in an interview helped shape the way Conan did his interviews, knowing how it felt so always made guests experience positive.

[@dominantprime]

That Charlie Rose interview is on youtube, and Conan's memory of it makes it sound a lot worse than it was. Maybe in his memory the interview and the Shales article combine into one, and he pictures Rose reading out the entire article on camera or something. But actually Rose only briefly mentioned Shales, the only somewhat quote being "it's not working for him (Shales) as a critic", and asking if Conan just says to those critics "I'm doing the show I want to do". Overall I think Conan and his show came across very positively in that interview and Rose also seemed to be in his corner against critics. But I can totally understand Conan's memory of it being faulty and getting some PTSD reaction just out of Rose mentioning Shales, or even thinking at the time the interview went a lot worse than it actually did.

[@hyperchord]

@@dominantprime This world would be a lot better if critics just didn't exist

[@totalbliss1]

Howard harping on about Charlie Rose is laughable knowing how he was talking about Conan during that time. Howard was dismissive of Conan and didn't take him at all seriously. He of course had his opinions about all the late night hosts and made it known.

[@lancegleco5226]

Very underrated!! CONAN IS TOPS! GREAT TALK SHOW HOST!! FUNNY AND SMART, SHOULD BE ON PRIMETIME FOR LATE NIGHT...🕶

[@BDreGaming]

These are basically my two favorite comedic minds of all time. I could listen to them talk for Endless hours. This is absolute gold for me.

[@o.fortuna657]

Tracey Ullman and Carol Burnett

[@lynnturman8157]

Howard Stern is a comedian?

[@ShinyFlakesShinyFlakes]

@@lynnturman8157 yes, the type you laugh AT, not with

[@DeltaFRFX]

@@lynnturman8157 He used to be before he sold out

[@AAAskeet]

Howard sold out.The greatest rebel ever became exactly what he hated.

[@theronious]

Conan O’Brien. Amazing human.

[@D22BH]

Howard says Conan is his best interview of all time. ❤️

[@Chicagoguy1984]

Howard and Conzy !!! 2 GOATS of their craft !!!

[@penguinista]

"This is going to make a good story, once it is all over." helps when things are going pear shaped.

[@jackflash8567]

Howard can’t go two minutes without steering guests towards Depression, therapy, medication

[@amyishere67]

It needs addressed

[@MarCapa-ed5uv]

@amyishere67 I agree

[@srinath6247]

😂😂😂😂

[@Norsilca]

Okay 👍🙂

[@anon2414]

True leftists

[@WastingTime1878]

Greatest Talk show host of all time. Just so witty and intelligent.

[@danman6669]

No, that will always be Johnny Carson. That's pretty much set in stone.

[@icarryamessage]

Love Conan !!!!!!

[@cadriver2570]

I remember as a kid Conan was pretty rough early on. Then went on to be the GOAT imho. Gotta love the tenacity!

[@denimchicken104]

I didn’t hit adulthood until the late 2000’s, so maybe that’s my bias, late night doesn’t appeal to kids. But I think Conan really hit his stride around the time he was banished to cable tv.

[@hotdog9262]

conan is good. cavett, carson and ferguson is the most enjoyable hosts ive seen on american tv

[@danman6669]

I know it's your opinion, but that will always be Johnny Carson. That's pretty much set in stone.

[@notedsinner3171]

Conan the legend

[@jimminycricket3384]

David Bowie always loved being on Conan's show. Their chemistry was brilliant. "Nuff said, Conan rules.

[@Havanorange]

At the time Conan started Late Night I was also a fan of Letterman. Then I watched Letterman and looked forward to Conan. For a while, I was watching way too much TV at night! At least I wasn't watching porn or sitcoms, thank God.

[@o.fortuna657]

What’s wrong with porn? Sitcoms, sure. But, porn?

[@Stonewall29]

Please have some class sir and don’t slander porn.

[@hotchocolates3828]

​@@o.fortuna657is this not an ironic question?

[@ToddDouglasFox]

@@hotchocolates3828I think you mean rhetorical. Porn enslaves, comedy can be freeing. There is a difference.

[@HotaruGackt]

Conan will always be my favourite host and make me laugh through my darkest days. Thank you so much for that Conan!

[@davidhill2020]

I distinctively remember how hard Howard was laughing at Conan for what was going on.

[@richardvilseck]

So do I.

[@benforshay]

2 words: Jackie Puppet.

Typical Howard lmao

[@saraparker184]

he was crazy back then!

[@braysway10]

He was the last actual funny late night host. Late night TV is basically dead now. Looking forward to Conan's new HBO project!

[@BrickWilliamsGuitar]

Conan is a phenomenal human being.

[@Knickerboxer]

I hope Conan stops caring about what critics think. He has a huge fanbase that loves him

[@BelleTolles]

Great interview. And Conan is truly underrated

[@SeanDS1989]

So is Andy... he was always great with Conan

[@David_Downs]

underrated, idk.. i think his rating is very good.

[@selfishstockton6123]

Conan has aged very extremely well

[@MLife1000]

Conan is a legend ❤

[@rhysioeren3203]

Hopefully we are going to get the complete interview, looking forward for that.

[@holysquire8989]

Conan was always the best.

[@gemstar3824]

Conan and Letterman will always be the greatest to me.

[@TadashiNazuka]

Two Living Legends. Great Interview.

[@NMages20]

Then he went on to become the greatest talk show host on the planet

[@danman6669]

Johnny Carson is the greatest, and always will be.

[@DougMold]

1:29 I thought he was gonna say “he was being a jerk” lol

[@omegajrz1269]

I would love to see a interview between Conan and Graham Norton. The best of US and UK

[@davidwarburton2915]

Conan and Dave Chappelle are the two best comics of Gen X and it isn’t close. Very different styles of comedy, but both legendary in their own way. Conan is one of the best figures in American comedy history.

[@scottburns2600]

I remember Obriens start in those days. I really rooted for him and believed he'd be something. Good for him and his perseverance

[@snippyj8820]

Conan is class act.

[@jasongorman2992]

he really did go through a lot

[@bluecomet1109]

I can totally picture Jeff Ross "you okay under there?" Lmao

[@josephweaver5385]

I believe he was a comedy writer for SNL before he became famous! Yes...Under rated!

[@colgrey438]

You believed correctly. He also wrote for the Simpsons.

[@glenngrinter6818]

Would Charlie Rose ever tell Al Pacino ‘we’ll Siskel & Ebert gave your new movie 2 thumbs down, cinematic poop’ I doubt it.😳🎬

[@pissoff234]

The difference there is they got talent.

[@JosephHaubert]

Greatest Late-night show host ever. Kills at interviews, sketches and making everyone feel welcome. Conan keeps getting better with age too

[@danman6669]

No, that will always be Johnny Carson. That's pretty much set in stone.

[@alonzomosley7]

I think he is hilarious and quick witted

[@morningstar577]

I've always liked Conan a little more than Letterman. I was sad when he ended his show..

[@user-yi3so3ox1e]

I thought every bit of Conan taking over Johnny Carson's Late Night was 100% GOLD. LOVE YOU CONAN and your Team!

[@jthen8454]

Howard stern leaving the house is the most brave thing ever

[@Maria-In-Motion]

My favorite talk show host. He’s brilliant.

[@bobnewsdog]

He gave a great commencement speech at Dartmouth. I am probably butchering his message but he said the goals and things you aspire to are often what will make you happy or what you achieve. Here referenced how Johnny Carson and Letterman and others idolized their predecessors and want to become them. But they became themselves and were successful because of it. He realized through very public and traumatic failure that his original goal was not what would make him happy and what he was meant to be. A very good message to the graduates.

[@nicstevens6499]

Conan was / is awesome! I have great memories watching him with my family when I was a kid.. Conan got better and better and wow he was so young and new when he started. Look at him now! Amazing!

[@TerryKeefeMedia]

F Tom Shales, television critic. The early Conan show was raw, but innovative. Anyone could see that. It was the rough draft of something that was going to be great eventually.

[@sugarjoe50]

I recall the first Conan shows, l gave him a month or two. Over 30 years later he's still going strong.

[@steveatwater4364]

Conan is amazing. His attitude is inspiring.

[@vidzforbiz]

Howard Sterns Religion: Seeing Therapists, Living in Fear and taking anti-depressants

[@ZeroESG.goopootoob]

His dad's words were wise counsel.

[@bernlin2000]

Genius comedian

[@Teeveepicksures]

Howard RAILED on Conan back then. He was ruthless.

[@AishawithanEye]

I love Conan, but… if that was his darkest moment then I now understand the seriousness of my own depression and anxiety. 😂

[@guanoApe]

I didnt think he hit his stride till he got his own real self confidence. Sometimes lifes gotta beat u for a few years

[@SolamenteVees]

Brilliant, hilarious and by all accounts- a wonderful person. (I’m talking about Conan)

[@MSDOGS1976]

Odd how he was considered a failure replacing Leno but a success on TBS and on NBC’s Late Night. I wish he was still on TBS much better than the clowns on evening talk shows today.

[@DJToneRI]

I actually always liked Conan. I think he's funny and likable and witty

[@chrismasterchris]

Does anybody know whether Conan and Howard are actually in the same room? Or are they talking to a monitor?

[@mscarolynnigro]

Are the guests in studio looking at Howard on a big screen ? Lol

[@AJF1995]

It’s so weird that Howard doesn’t go into the studio, it just makes the show sound and feel so strange.

[@marcusmunoz2779]

a good comedian sees the humor in all things and that is why they are always laughing.

[@travelbonne4872]

I love Conan for his comedy he is the best. And most of all he seems to be such a decent human being. I miss him.

[@BiLLz66614]

Look just how wrong those "critics" were.

[@johnnydeano2288]

Bless you Conan, go forth & replenish comedy.~ El Pope de Fed Ex.

[@applesoranges559]

Late Nights in America were " Made " for Conan to come in 💯 🙌 ..

[@JonnyDIY]

Conan can sure take a beating, I love it 😄💕👍

[@ASwagPecan]

Conan is a real life Jimmy McGill.

[@rzn2258]

Conan honestly stood out to me when he first came on the scene. DAMN... That was a long time ago.

[@MouthBreatherGaming]

I truly admire Conan O'Brien and have loved pretty much everything he's been part of.

[@ellie-tk4jy]

Loving these November interviews.

[@janicemorris6085]

Conan is the best of all of them

[@MarieAntoinetteandherlittlesis]

Conan is a GD National Treasure, I don’t care what anyone says.

[@mr.megaboss7965]

Of all the late night hosts Conan is the best to me