TV
2009 Fall Season
2009 Summer Season
2008-09 Midseason
2008 Fall Season
2008 Summer Season
Best Of 2008
Best Of 2007
Best Of 2006
Best Of 2005
Recent/Upcoming
Movies & Specials
70
Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags
HBO, 10/19
84
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
IFC, 10/18
80
Occupation
BBC America, 10/18
76
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
PBS, 9/27
58
Georgia O'Keeffe: Her Life Was a Work of Art
Lifetime, 9/19
Recent/Upcoming
Series Premieres
67
V
ABC,
Tuesday
54
The League
FX,
Thursday
80
Friday Night Lights Season Four
DirecTV 101,
Wednesday
77
Endgame
PBS,
Sunday
79
White Collar
USA,
Friday
20
The Jeff Dunham Show
Comedy Central,
Thursday
47
Lock 'n Load
Showtime,
Wednesday
74
30 Rock Season Four
NBC,
Thursday
65
Nip/Tuck Season Six
FX,
Wednesday
49
Secret Girlfriend
Comedy Central,
Wednesday
62
Sherri
Lifetime,
Monday
48
Three Rivers
CBS,
Sunday
61
Stargate Universe
Syfy,
Friday
37
Hank
ABC,
Wednesday
70
The Middle
ABC,
Wednesday
53
Trauma
NBC,
Monday
57
The Cleveland Show
Fox,
Sunday
79
Dexter Season Four
Showtime,
Sunday
53
Brothers
Fox,
Friday
72
FlashForward
ABC,
Thursday
86
The Modern Family
ABC,
Wednesday
50
Eastwick
ABC,
Wednesday
41
Mercy
NBC,
Wednesday
49
Cougar Town
ABC,
Wednesday
59
NCIS: Los Angeles
CBS,
Tuesday
45
The Forgotten
ABC,
Tuesday
76
The Good Wife
CBS,
Tuesday
49
Accidentally on Purpose
CBS,
Monday
77
House Season Six
Fox,
Monday
81
Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Seven
HBO,
Sunday
65
Bored to Death
HBO,
Sunday
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
EMAILPRINTSERIES: NBC, Weekdays 11:35p (60 minutes)
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 52 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >
Show Info
Genre(s): Comedy, News & Talk
First Air Date: June 2, 2009
Summary
Starring Conan O'Brien, and Andy Richter
Conan O'Brien takes over the long-running late-night talk show from Jay Leno.
Episode Guide & More Info: More about this show at TV.com
Also On The Web: Late Night with Conan O'Brien Official Show Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Boston GlobeJoanna Weiss
It was vintage Conan stuff, proof that his absurdist sense of humor won't change much on the West Coast. And yet last night also contained some grand nods to O'Brien's fancy new home.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-TimesPaige Wiser
Admit it. Seeing O'Brien under direct sunlight in various bits was a jolt. But he looked giddily at home on the Tonight Show stage.
Read Full Review >Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan
Though he seemed a little nervous and the humor seemed a bit broader, generally speaking, than it was on "Late Night," Conan on The Tonight Show worked just fine.
Read Full Review >USA TodayRobert Bianco
All in all, O'Brien got his Tonight off to a decent start, though you still got the sense you were watching an introduction more than a settled production.
Read Full Review >New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley
Conan made it subtly clear that the new kid in town will be a little naughtier and that for better or worse, Tonight is now his ride.
Read Full Review >San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman
O'Brien's debut was pretty much what one would expect from these kind of pre-hyped events. It was both funny and forced and the expectations of - what, exactly?--never seemed to materialize, even though Will Ferrell as the sole guest tried to drum something up and Pearl Jam, as the musical guest, at least kick-started an aural ruckus.
Read Full Review >Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall
Conan was simultaneously reassuring his fans that he wasn't going to change too much in the new gig, and telling the traditional Tonight audience what they might expect from the new landlord. This was the smart, and really only, play Conan could make on night one of such a high-profile job. I just wish the execution had been a little better.
Read Full Review >Washington PostTom Shales
Moving up to the big time, and relocating to the earlier time slot, seems to have robbed Conan of much of his charm. Much--but not all.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia InquirerDavid Hiltbrand
In its first week, the show has acquired a more expansive, scattershot tone. It feels less rehearsed than Leno's regime, but at times, out of control.
Read Full Review >Baltimore SunDavid Zurawik
Conan O'Brien's first Tonight Show was a good one--if you like canned video clips rather than topical humor. Otherwise, there wasn't much to get excited about.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this show is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 52 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Sam G gave it a1:
His jokes lack any sophistication or great deal of thought. His humor is more physical catering to a younger male crowd (tweens). He is funny for what he does not for what he says and his act is still badly wanting. The focus is always on him; the show is a montage of scenes like "Conan the cow wrestler" or "Conan goes canoeing" and "Conan meets the Barbapapa's." His show is "Dumb and Dumber'er" meets "Jack-Ass". Where is the clever wit and brilliant nuance? Where is the discipline to know when to be the center of attention and when a guest should be? Where is the superbly scripted banter with guests that appears so off the cuff and original? Where are the satirical skits that poke fun at ourselves instead of just at him? They should re-name his show “The Conan O’Brien Show” or “One Hour of C.O.B.” or simply “The Me Show”. No wonder Letterman is enjoying the best ratings since 1998.
kristin b gave it a5:
I would give it a five because there are various parts of the show where it is just too goofy. it's like in those parts, they try way too hard to be funny. even though i think this show is too silly sometimes, for some reason, i still watch it every now and then to see what he will do next. :) i honestly don't know what to think of this program. sometimes it's funny; but most times, it's not. i keep watching it to see if he will tell funnier jokes or do funnier things without trying so hard, but that hasn't happened yet. i still have faith in him, however. he is still pretty new to the tonight show, but i still believe that he will do his best to do a job well done!
tony m gave it a4:
Very disappointing.I liked his prior show because of its informality.This new endeavor apprars forced.
ronald p gave it a2:
Its more like a show for children, with the mugging and goofy faces! Look at the age of the people in the stands ! They need a more mature person with sensible and funny jokes..I did not get one laugh and I have a funny bone.. hopefull time will improve , and I will give him this.
Byron L gave it a7:
I do think he's lost something since his hey-day on Late Night with Conan O Brien. I would really like to see the writers take more chances though, and get back to the lunacy that made Late Night so great.
Tiny Tim gave it a6:
Honesty, he's not terrible as some people on here would have you believe. When Leno started the same people who praise him now were almost certainly saying, "Not as good as Carson." Give him a chance and some time, and most importantly watch with an open mind.
Alexander V gave it a10:
Conan moves over the edge and does not take itself so seriously as Leno did. I really love this change.
