In a recent episode of Conan O’Brien‘s talk show, Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, the host sat down with his long-time collaborator Robert Smigel to discuss their journey in replacing the legendary David Letterman. The conversation was filled with nostalgia, humor, and insights into the world of late-night talk shows.
Conan shared how, after leaving Saturday Night Live, he found himself in a position where he could potentially replace David Letterman. He mentioned that he idolized Letterman and believed he couldn’t be replaced. However, the opportunity was too exciting to pass up, and Conan was eager to take on the challenge. But he had one condition—he wanted to do it with Robert Smigel.
Conan recognized that his comedic style was different from Robert’s, who was known for being the funniest person in the room during their SNL days. However, Conan admired Robert’s talent and believed they would make a great team. Their dream was to create a talk show together, and Conan wanted to ensure that Robert was a part of the journey.
With little time to spare, Conan and Robert had to quickly put the show together. They worked tirelessly throughout the summer months, fueled by their passion and determination. Despite the pressure, Conan described those days as the best of his career. He was thrilled to be working with Robert and felt it was a dream job.
Conan admitted feeling scared about the audition process, as he knew it would be a challenging way to break into show business. The fear of being a national joke loomed over him. However, Robert’s support and encouragement, along with his wife Michelle’s reassurance that he had nothing to lose, helped Conan make his decision. He committed to the audition and eventually landed the role of hosting his own talk show.
Looking back, Conan never celebrated his accomplishment but instead focused on the responsibility that came with the show. Over 30 years later, he still feels a sense of uncertainty and continues to push himself to new heights.
The dynamic between Conan and Robert was evident during their conversation. They reminisced about their early days and how they generated a plethora of material, trying new ideas every night. Their ambition and drive were compared to doing Saturday Night Live on a daily basis.
Despite some skepticism from others in the industry, Conan and his team were fearless and consistently tried new things. They prided themselves on their ability to generate a vast amount of material, which became one of the proudest achievements of Conan’s career.
Conan mentioned visiting Jimmy Fallon’s set years later and noticing the positive atmosphere and ambitious projects they were undertaking. It reminded him of their early days when everyone was dedicated to pushing boundaries and trying new things every night.
The conversation showcased the strong bond between Conan O’Brien and Robert Smigel and highlighted their journey in replacing a legend while creating a unique late-night talk show. Their passion, determination, and willingness to take risks have led to a successful and entertaining career for Conan O’Brien.
