On Monday night, Conan O’Brien made a special appearance on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert. His visit served as a poignant reminder of the wisdom he imparted to Colbert and other late-night hosts four years ago, before he stepped away from the late-night scene. As CBS announces the end of “The Late Show” in May 2026, Colbert prepares for his transition into late-night veteran status.
“As I was leaving my late-night show, I took you and all the other late-night hosts out,” O’Brien recounted. “Remember that? I whisked you to a fantastic Sizzler restaurant, and while we munched on our trays, I said, ‘Look after late night, and late night will look after you.’ I also advised, ‘Don’t ruffle any feathers.’ Remember? I even added, ‘Whatever you do, steer clear of speaking truth to power.’ Cowardice, I declared, is the way.”
With humor, O’Brien reflected on his 28 years as a late-night host: “Never once did I read the news. I had a masturbating bear and a plastic dog. Honestly, I didn’t even know who was president!” This elicited an uproar of laughter from the audience.
In a more heartfelt moment, Colbert quipped, “Thanks for being here, Conan.” O’Brien continued to express his affection for Colbert, stating, “I, of course, adore you. I love you. Knowing you both personally and professionally as a comedic force, I’m genuinely saddened to see this chapter close.”
O’Brien reassured Colbert, “I am confident you will find amazing opportunities and have incredible experiences ahead. The special bond you have with your audience — which applies to your counterparts, Kimmel and Fallon, as well — is unique and irreplaceable. That bond belongs to you and will remain with you for the rest of your life.”
The late-night television landscape is currently experiencing significant changes. Following the cancellation of Colbert’s “Late Show” and the removal of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” due to controversial remarks by Kimmel regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the genre appears to be in a state of flux. After Kimmel’s suspension was recently lifted, Colbert expressed his relief during his show, stating, “Our long national late nightmare is over…This is wonderful news for my dear friend Jimmy and his fantastic team.”
To view O’Brien’s full interview on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” check out the clip below.
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