How long did Conan O'Brien host late-night television?
Conan O'Brien hosted late-night television for nearly thirty years, from 1993 to 2021. He is the longest-serving host in the history of the Late Night franchise as of 2025.
Questions about Conan O'Brien
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why did Conan O'Brien leave The Tonight Show in 2010?
O'Brien left The Tonight Show in January 2010 after NBC proposed moving his show to 12:05 am to accommodate a new Jay Leno program at 11:35 pm. He publicly stated that The Tonight Show at 12:05 am was not The Tonight Show. He exited under a deal worth $45 million, of which $12 million went to his staff.
What did Conan O'Brien write for The Simpsons?
Conan O'Brien was a writer and producer on The Simpsons from 1991 to 1993. He wrote "Marge vs. the Monorail", "Homer Goes to College", "New Kid on the Block", and the wraparound segments for "Treehouse of Horror IV".
When did Conan O'Brien start his podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend?
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend debuted on the 18th of November 2018, with Will Ferrell as the first guest. By August 2021, the podcast had been downloaded more than 250 million times and was averaging more than 9 million downloads per month.
What is the Mark Twain Prize and when did Conan O'Brien receive it?
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is a prestigious award recognizing contributions to American comedy. O'Brien received it on the 23rd of March 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
How did Conan O'Brien get hired to host Late Night in 1993?
Lorne Michaels, who was searching for a replacement for David Letterman, arranged for O'Brien to perform a test audition on the stage of The Tonight Show while still working at The Simpsons. The audition was broadcast by satellite to Michaels and NBC executives in New York. Despite being poorly received by media commentators, O'Brien was officially selected on the 26th of April 1993.