On Final 'Tonight Show,' Conan O'Brien Says He's Done a 'Decade Too Early'

By PopEater Staff Posted Jan 22nd 2010 10:33PM

On his final 'Tonight Show' appearance, and certainly his final appearance hosting a show for the next seven months, Conan O'Brien joked that he had another ten years to give.

"We've a had a lot of fun being here these last seven months, but like everything in life, the fun has to come to an end a decade too early," the comedian joked during his opening monologue (via PEOPLE). "As I set off for exciting new career opportunities, I just want to make one thing clear to everyone listening out there ... I will do nudity."

"We have exactly one hour to steal everything in this studio," he joked before launching into various sketches. More Details on His Heartfelt Goodbye After the Jump!

Conan joked that his settlement doesn't allow him to host a show for seven months, but volunteered to be loyal sidekick Andy Richter's wingman on a future program. He also listed possibilities for what could happen to his new studio. Our favorite: Magician David Blaine will attempt the impossble by trying to remain in the studio for more than seven months.

A parade of celebrities followed including Will Ferrell and Tom Hanks, who led the crowd in a CoCo chant before heading off to appear at the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon. Coverage of the Star Studded Event Here >>> NBC employee Steve Carell performed an "official" exit interview. "Would you consider working for NBC in the future," he asked.

Longtime supporter Neil Young also appeared to sing a 1976 Stills-Young oldie, 'Long May You Run.'

O'Brien turned emotional towards the end of the show -- a rare site in weeks that have involved bitter words and hard-hitting jokes between Conan, Jay Leno and David Letterman.

Before They Were Fighting: See Yearbook Photos of Late Night Stars >>>

"There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on the Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over 20 years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we're going to go our separate ways, but this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible."

See Conan's Thoughts on His Dreams of Hosting Tonight on PEOPLE.com >>>

"Finally, I have to say something to our fans," O'Brien said during his wrap-up, fighting off tears. "The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the Internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational. To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life."

Conan turned to his younger viewers last. "Please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism. For the record, it's my least favorite quality. It's doesn't lead anywhere. No one in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

O'Brien has been the center of a late night firestorm. It was announced earlier this week that NBC inked a deal with Conan to end the host's short tenure on 'The Tonight Show,' NBC has confirmed. This paved the way for officially allowing Jay Leno to return to late night from his unsuccessful run at 10 p.m.

According to the network, O'Brien will receive $33 million and his staff another $12 million. The sticking point in O'Brien's complex exit negotiations with NBC had involved his employees. More Details on Conan's New Deal and His Final Monologue Below:

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Comments

(449)

Saturday 23 January

By jsu198186

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Glad Conan is gone! The wasn't funny at all! Did he use laugh tracks?

By Greasy

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It is not about the money! He got to do his dream job...get that? His DREAM JOB and it was unfairly taken away from him. To all those people who are against him or just don't care: Can you not put yourself in his shoes and imagine that ever since you were a kid you dreamed of doing something specific and so you worked your ass off so that you could one day get to do it? Then, you finally did get it and you were so happy but then it was abruptly taken away. Can you seriously not at least sympathize with that?

Glad Conan is gone! He wasn't funny at all! Did he use laugh tracks?

By Linda

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I am glad the nightmare is over don't like Conan didn't watch him its all NBC fault they never should of taken Jay off in the first place put the blame where it belongs NBC

By ynkyboy

Leno SUX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By susieq12249

The Tonight Show sucked after Johnny left.

By Damien

Idiocracy is now the most realistic Science Fiction film ever... scary right? I was so hoping for a Blade Runner type future. Should have known the dumb masses would screw it up for everyone else.

You are clearly Mensa material. I bet that you loved According to Jim and watch wrestling and UFC. Brilliant! Go kill yourself... or get nuetered. No more low IQ idiots who enjoy drivel over witty/rapid paced humor.

By nana

Conan RULES! He is funny & loves to make fun of himself ,not just the other guy.He has a great team of writers & he knows how to present their material to make it work. I always watched him when he was on Late Night & also on the Tonight Show & if he does perform in a 7-11 parking lot - I'll be there too. Mr. O'Brien, I wish you the very best !

By mm hmm

Jay was the one who should have been canned. I'll never watch him now.

By bigwhitedog

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Conan is very funny I am sure. That is to all of you out there with a matching IQ & shoe size. Just goes to show how much America has been dumbed down.

By Beverly Raymond

How about doing Vegas? I'd see you there. How about Fox? I'd watch you there. Arevoir. Bev

By rileya2345

Stop supporting millionaires and support the little guys in the industry! Go to your local theater, minor league games, and stop the great gushing sound that is money going to the filthy rich who do not care what any of the little people who support them think.

By dan

Excellent idea. People spend a lot of time and money on huge extravaganzas involving huge superstars with huge egos. I say support your local bank, market, folk singer, poet. neighbor.

By Will

I am so glad Leno is back at 11:35. I really missed him. The 10:00PM slot was a bad move for NBC. Now NBC will once again get there ratings up.

By sunny

I do NOT feel sorry for this guy who is making MILLIONS for just LEAVING.
I was no good at my job.
I wish someone had given me millions to leave.
I just got fired.
He is a no talent corporate monkey who was groomed for this from the very beginning.
I remember him when they brought him on as a writer to fill in.
He has little natural talent.
He did not get to where he is now on his own merit.
He was handpicked.
I didn't like him then, I don't like him now.
Good bye and good luck.

By june

I have NEVER liked Conan,his twisted sense of humor is not my style.As for the whole mess,-what job hasn't been an adjustment for the workers in this troubled economy? This is no different. I do wish they could have left Jay, on at the earlier time.Good Luck to all.

By hitman461

There was a reason that I never watched the bumbling idiot until his last 2 shows this week. He will not be missed.
I think he should donate half of the buyout he got to the Hatian relief. Better yet, since he has nothing to do for the next 7 months, he should go down and volunteer his wasted life to assist someone in need.

By Wayne

Goodbye Conan.....you suck Jay....never watched either much ..Conan more then Jay....Letterman rules as he has for years!!!!! enjoy Jay you all...lol..I wont be

By gerald robbins

Conan O'Brien proved himself to be a class act on his last Tonight Show appearance by the closing remarks he made to his young audience "not to be cynical" but "be kind". He was gracious and kind with what he said to the NBC network (that let him down) and grateful to the fans that supported him by expressing that appreciation. No doubt he is a classy person - someone who has left arrogance to be utilized by others. As for the 45 million he obtained for himself and his staff as severance pay -- is more than deserving of it considering the sacrifice they all made leaving their homes in NY to settle in LA. Altogether, I was moved and touched profoundly by Conan's final speech.

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