O’Brien takes the proverbial high road in end statement
Parisa Amini
Conan O’Brien made the right move in his decision to leave NBC, but what a sad day it was for “Coco” fans everywhere.
Having been a fan of O’Brien for most of my life, the news of his departure from late night anything was heartbreaking.
Having only seen reruns of Johnny Carson, my late night adventures began with O’Brien. I remember watching Jay Leno just one time in my life. I recall being thoroughly annoyed with his sense of humor and cocky demeanor.
Coco never rubbed me the wrong way, and countless shows later, my devotion stands true.
O’Brien worked at NBC for over 20 years.
He started out at the company writing for “Saturday Night Live,” went on to host “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” for 16 years, and then made his move to “The Tonight Show” in June of 2009.
A mere seven months after he began his reign as host of “The Tonight Show,” NBC executives gave him a choice: move to a post-midnight spot or leave.
While NBC possibly did not intend for O’Brien to leave, their choice was clearly in favor of Leno.
Their demotion practically forced his decision to leave.
But O’Brien’s decision was noble and admirable. He released a statement to Bill Carter of The New York Times explaining his decision.
“‘The Tonight Show’ at 12:05 simply isn’t ‘The Tonight Show.’ Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the ‘Late Night’ show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot.
“That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy,” wrote O’Brien.
With his decision to leave the network and “Tonight,” O’Brien protected the 56-year-old show that such hosts as Steve Allen and Johnny Carson left behind.
NBC seemed to care little for the legacy of the show, and more for their profit and ratings.
On Jan. 22, 2010, O’Brien’s final show aired, but not NBC’s dirty laundry.
Instead of sarcasm and frustration directed at the network, O’Brien took the proverbial high road when he made a final statement in the last 10 minutes of the show.
O’Brien instead thanked NBC for “making it all possible.”
“Yes, we have our differences right now. Yes, we’re going our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life, and I am enormously proud of the work we’ve done together,” O’Brien said.
Holding back tears, he went on to thank the fans for their immense support and making “a sad situation joyous and inspirational.”
O’Brien ended his statement with a bit of a plea.
“All I ask is one thing, and I am asking this particularly of young people who watch: Please do not be cynical,” O’Brien asked.
Sorry Coco, but this fan only has her cynicism in lieu of “The Tonight Show” with Conan O’Brien.
