Conan O’Brien Discusses The End Of His Talk Show

Comic Conan O’Brien ended his long-running late-night speak present in 2021 after internet hosting it for 11 years. After all, he additionally beforehand led “The Tonight Present with Conan O’Brien” and “Late Night time.” In newer years, he’d tailored to a extra versatile life-style whereas nonetheless delivering his model of commentary. This features a podcast, a journey present, and returning as host of the 2026 Academy Awards. Now, he is opening up in regards to the finish of his present and the place he believes the trade goes.

O’Brien launched his podcast, “Conan O’Brien Wants a Good friend,” in 2018 after feeling that the format of his then-running speak present did not foster a way of friendship together with his visitors. Now, in 2026, the podcast continues to be going robust, having received a number of podcast awards, together with Finest Interview/Speak Present on the Individuals’s Voice Awards in 2023, per IMDb.

In February 2026, O’Brien spoke to The New Yorker about how a lot his life had modified since ending his present. He mentioned, “I left my late-night present 4 years in the past. I’ve had a beautiful time. I believe I attain extra folks now, both by means of the podcast or doing the journey present.”

O’Brien continued, “I’ve all this freedom to be me in numerous methods, in numerous codecs. There’s a whole lot of actually lovely alternatives, and I have been having a blast and attending to have kinds of interviews I by no means might have had in that previous ‘You are up within the attic’ format.”

O’Brien continued the interview, discussing the place he thinks the talk-show house is headed and his upcoming gig as Oscars host. He mentioned, “I imply, this previous format goes away, however they’re being changed by a mess of different methods to attach with folks and be humorous, and be satirical, and be probing, and let your expertise run wild—that in some methods are extra liberating.”

Relating to getting ready to host The Oscars for the second time, O’Brien revealed, “I began writing some time in the past. Concepts are like R.A.F. pilots in 1940. You must generate a whole lot of them. Quite a lot of them fall by the wayside, after which some endure. I am unable to pretend enjoyment. I would like to search out methods to guarantee that I am having a whole lot of enjoyable. I would like to arrange—I imply, I am an enormous preparation individual. I work with this good staff of writers who’re simply downstairs from the place I am doing this podcast, and so they’re cranking away.”

As talked about, “Conan” got here to an finish on TBS in 2021 after 11 seasons. It was O’Brien’s choice to finish the present. Nonetheless, within the years since he left the speak present style, a lot has modified. Just lately, late-night host Stephen Colbert noticed his extremely rated present canceled, and it’s now set to finish in Might 2026. The kicker is, it is not simply Colbert’s present being canceled; it is the long-running “Late Present,” which is concluding after 29 years.

Relating to daytime TV, “Sherri,” hosted by Sherri Shepherd, was lately canceled after 4 seasons. “The Kelly Clarkson Present” can also be ending; nonetheless, the choice was made by the host herself. For a lot of, O’Brien’s feedback come at a time when the way forward for speak exhibits, particularly late-night choices, could also be bleak.

O’Brien has achieved fairly a little bit of voiceover work all through his profession. This consists of “The LEGO Batman Film” and “The Mitchells vs The Machines.” Now, in accordance with The Hollywood Reporter, one in all his newest tasks finds him teaming up with Tim Allen for “Toy Story 5.”

In it, he’ll play the character Smarty Pants, described as a “potty coaching toy.” He mentioned in a video, “These movies are wonderful. I am unable to consider this. It is one of the best character of all of them.” The solid for “Toy Story 5” additionally consists of Tom Hanks, Anna Faris, Joan Cusack, Annie Potts, and Greta Lee.