Final Guest for Conan O'Brien? Mr. Barry Manilow

By PopEater Staff Posted Jan 15th 2010 03:25PM

With Conan O'Brien's days at 'The Tonight Show' winding down, PopEater can exclusively reveal who will be the host's final guest on Jan. 22: Barry Manilow.

"It's a perfect fit for Barry, who was once Bette Midler's piano player, to be the one to say goodbye to Conan," says our insider. "Bette was the late great Johnny Carson's final guest and now Barry will be Conan's ... if his final date holds."

And although Manilow will sing one of the songs from his new album, 'The Greatest Love Songs of All Time,' sources reveal the final spot of the night will be Manilow, the band, staff, crew and audience all singing what might be the most appropriate song ever: 'Can't Smile Without You.'

According to widespread reports, O'Brien and NBC have struck a deal and will end their rocky relationship officially next Friday. The network has not confirmed the Jan. 22 finale for O'Brien or reports that Jay Leno will be re-taking his job at 'The Tonight Show.'

Tags: barry manilow, conan obrien, The Tonight Show

Comments

(97)

Saturday 16 January

By GF

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I'm a 55 yr old woman .. most likely the oldest one on here. I've never written on one of these, and probably never will again. But I'd like to put my 2 cents in, if you don't mind. I watched Johnny Carson for years, until he left. He was the best at this - you'll have to trust me on this. I've watched Leno and Letterman since ...... and Conan when their shows were over. I usually followed the guest list - but if truth be told, probably favored Letterman. I have nothing against Jay, just thought him a little boring. Tried his 10 pm show once - didn't care for it. However, I think this is not about who is best, but what is fair. They each bring something unique to their shows. But Jay left, and should stay gone from the Tonight Show. If he didn't want to leave in the first place, he would not have. The very fact he pulls the weight to be able to return, shows he is in more control than we think. But regardless, he was given a fair chance when he first took over, however many years ago that was - and Conan should be given the same respect. All these members of the TS have uprooted their families and their lives, and now ....... face the unknown. Not fair. I don't wish ill on anyone, but I for one, will not watch the TS again, after next Friday. I wish them all the best.

By Paul

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Now i will have a reason to stay up and watch the news and then the Tonight show again! But to you screw balls out there, Conans numbers tanked!! Get a f**ken clue! Its not Jays fault he is not funny!

By Jeff

Conan tells a joke and then he pauses waiting for a response, then he makes a stupid face and flips his hair around and the place bust up laughing.. Now that is not talent! GLAD TO SEE JAY IS BACK!!

By Pam

Interesting some blame Jay for Conans failure! I read that the tonight show had 10 million viewers when Jay left, now it only has 3 million.. As a business move want the one who has the most viewers? NBC has new owners now so hope they will get that network in order! P.S. NBC, You can also bring back Friday Night Lights as well!

By ktigglet

I guess pam is a teenager or young...really, Pam who hosted The Tonight Show..........hummm do you know, Oh yea Friday Night Lights

By watcher

I refuse to watch Letterman after the way he treated John McCain. I wouldnt watch any self center jerk that treated McCain that way because it upset his schedule. I did watch Jay, but he quit. He and letterman are in the same catagoy as far as I am conserned (along with NBC execs, its only bussiness right? Thats what people say to help them live with screwing somebody.). I would watch Jay again if he flew me to LA and let me drive the green car challange. I have watched Conan and Fallon. Both are funny I will stick with Coco all the way.

By Penny

Leno wanted to retire from the Tonight Show! His show at 10:00 didn't pan out. He needs to fade quietly into the night! He doesn't need anymore money. I am not crazy about Conan but Leno gave the spot up and he needs to GO AWAY!

By chilva616

Leno needs to leave! He said goodbye once and then pops up again....and the show is a bust. He is NOT funny and he appears to be a big bully...who will not take his ball(in this case...balls) and go home. After moving from NY to CA I think Conan is right is saying to NBC...KMA!!!!!!

By oldfossile

I remember when TV was something to respect and enjoy. It turned out to be a trash tube in the final days of its showing.

By D

why is Conan leaving, he is the best one. Jimmy Fallon is the worse, and Jay Leno needs to go out to retire and go out to pasture. He's been around too long.

By GM,Long Island

Even if NBC pays Conan 30 million...it's still going to be a lot cheaper in the long run. A few more months and NBC would lucky to sell a 30 second spot for a hundred bucks. I hope the BIG GIANT HEADS WITH THE BIG GIANT SUITS LEARNED SOMETHING. AS FOR CONAN...HOW DOES HE JUSTIFY HIS ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR ABOUT THIS EVENT NBC HAD TO DO IT... IT HAS BEEN DONE HUNDREDS OF TIMES TO OTHER SHOWS AND SHOWBIZ PEOPLE. I GUESS RATINGS DON'T APPLY TO HIM

I wish I could understand how the Conan supporters dismiss the facts...Conan took a over a show which won it's time slot for years...overnight he lost several million viewers...just about half of the viewers. He gave of all people, Letterman the top rating position. Letterman was unable to take it from Leno for years. It looks like Letterman's glee chilled quickly and toned down when the news brook that Conan is taking 30 mil and going. Poor little David must be having major anx now he has to go against Leno

By L.

Leno is boring. Zucker and his fellow morons at NBC really screwed up getting rid of Conan. Conan is hilarious, fresh, hip, and intelligent. We will watch Conan and whatever (classier, more ethical) network he moves to. Meanwhile, we will enjoy hearing about NBC going down the tubes! Should be fun! And I can't WAIT to see Conan as a guest on Letterman- THAT would be really cool..for both Letterman and O'Brien.

By gcoftroyohio

Jay works best with the over 40 people, Conan works best with under 30 group. Dave works best with the "slightly off" people. I can and have watched all 3 from time to time. Jay I can watch everynight, Conan maybe 1 night a month, Dave 2 to 3 nights a month. Each one has their "nitch" and there is room for all 3. I wish all 3 the best, but I will be watching Jay no matter what channel or time.

By Charles Carter

I never watch Conan or letterman. I expect more maturity, information, entertainment and better taste in humor in a talk show.

My god...Conan is great...Conan is funny...Conan is god. Why can't the Conan lovers get it right.
Conan has nothing...he has no talent, no nothing...masturbating bears...rubber vulgar dog puppets...that's talent? might cut it as high school humor. THE RATINGS PROVE IT. The first week he had numbers after the first week, 52% of the viewers left for good, vanished into Letterman"s air. The only thing Conan did for the Tonight Show was turn it into a crime scene. To top it off he's pissed they asked him to move a half hour. Why does he think he is exempt to the fate every program and showbiz person suffers when they have low ratings...the ax.

By Catherine

Yes, NBC made a huge blunder, but it happens at every network. The decision to put Conan on "Tonight" was a bad one. Putting Leno on at 10 p.m. was even bigger. I never really liked Conan, but I tried to give it a chance. Watched the first couple of shows and then turned it off. Although I was never a big Letterman fan, I would rather watch him than Conan. He is infantile and no matter what a guest says, he turns it around so that it's all about him. Very unfunny and childish. Leno belongs on late night where he can be edgy and funny.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion as to who they like better, so carry on. But place the blame for the issues on the right people - the suits at NBC.
Bring back Leno!!

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