Conan's Last Show

Late night television was never so entertaining. After being the seeming successor for every television great, including David Letterman and Jay Leno, the tables finally turned. After passing on the torch for his show and calling O'Brien "certainly the most deserving person for the job", Jay Leno introduced the new host for his show. However, after less than a year, NBC bosses decided to give the show back to Jay Leno. Hence, Jay Leno resumed as the Tonight Show host on March 1, 2010. However, this happened after a lot of controversy and heaps of criticism coming Leno's way. Conan O'Brien managed to get a mass of followers that cried foul over this unfair agreement. This is probably what pushed the show into what can be called, a historic episode of late night television. So, here is a brief overview of what happened in Conan's last show.

Conan's Last Show - Free Bird
Aired on January 22, Friday. Conan was bound to ensure that his last show be remembered for years to come and so he planned it. His guests included Tom Hanks, Steve Carell and Will Ferrel, who incidentally was his first guest when he took over Tonight Show from Jay Leno. The Irish funnyman bowed out in style, by ending the show singing Lynyrd Skynyrd's hit song 'Free bird'. This song was performed by Conan himself, wherein he picked up the guitar and took the stage with other star performers, that included Ben Harper, ZZ Tops' Billy Gibbons, Beck and the lead vocals were sung by none other than Will Ferrel. Before the performance however, Conan read out a tongue-in-cheek yet heartwarming farewell speech.

"Before we bring this rodeo to a close, I think a couple things should be said.
There's been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC.
And this isn't a joke. To set the record straight, and this is true, tonight I'm allowed to say anything I want.
(Man laughs)

Um, and no it's not a joke, but thanks sir. Tonight I really am allowed to say whatever 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've worked with NBC for over 20 years.
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. I am enormously proud of the work we've done together. And I want to thank NBC for making it all possible. I really do.
(Audience applauds)

A lot of people have been asking me about my state of mind and I'll be honest with you, walking away from 'The Tonight Show' is the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
Um, making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world. I absolutely love doing it and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. I will fight anybody who says I don't, but no one would. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian...every comedian dreams of hosting 'The Tonight Show' and for seven months, I got to do it. And I did it my way with people I love. I do not regret one second of anything that we've done here.
(Audience applause)

And yeah. And I encounter people when I walk on the street now who are just uh who give me sort of a sad look. I have had more fortune than anybody I know. And if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-Eleven Parking lot we will find a way to make it fine. We really will. I have no problems. And, I don't want to do it on a 7-Eleven parking lot.
(Audience laughs)

But whatever, uh, finally I have something to say to our fans. This massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming for me. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy outrageous creativity on the Internet uh, the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain.
(Audience cheers)

It's pouring! It's been pouring for days and they're camping out to be in our audience. Really, you...Here's what all of you have done.
You've made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.
So to all the people watching I can never ever thank you enough for the kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life. And all I ask is one thing...and this is...I'm asking this particularly of young people that watch...please do not be cynical.
I hate cynicism. For the record, it's my least favorite quality. It doesn't lead anywhere.
Nobody 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. I'm telling you. Amazing things will happen.
(Audience claps)

I'm telling you. It's just true. As proof, let's make something amazing happen right now."

Ratings
Needless to say, Coco loyalists tuned in to watch their favorite host in full swing. This made the show's ratings go through the roof, as the preliminary Nielsen ratings suggest that Conan scored a 7.0 TV rating for his last appearance as the host of The Tonight Show. This is a huge draw when compared to other Tonight show veterans, including Late Show with David Letterman (2.5) and Nightline (2.8) and Jimmy Kimmel Live (1.3).

What Next?
Although many fans are saddened by the sudden departure of their beloved host, O'Brien's departure, however, is not without its recompense. It is reportedly said that his severance deal is said to be worth roughly USD 45 million, which includes a USD 33 million payout both for NBC's breach of his contract and USD 12 million for his senior staff members. According to the settlement contract with NBC, Conan has been banned from appearing on television till 1st September, 2010. Due to this, he has taken to the road - literally. He was keeping himself busy with his thirty city 'Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour' which ended on June 14, 2010. However, Conan posted on his page on Twitter 'I will be doing a show on TBS starting in November! In three months I've gone from network television to Twitter to performing live in theaters, and now I'm headed to basic cable, my plan is working perfectly.' It has been reported that his show on TBS will air on November 8, 2010.

Conan's last show, as mentioned above, will be remembered for years to come. It remains to be seen whether his reprisal as a talk show host on cable TV will be received with as much enthusiasm as his foray into late night television was. Seeing the loyal support of his eager fans, it seems like the answer is in the affirmative. Go Team Coco!