In a recent episode of Conan O’Brien‘s talk show, the host opened up about his decision to retire from late-night television and how musician David Bowie played a significant role in inspiring this choice. Conan expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to host the show and his love for the experience. However, he also highlighted his desire to explore new avenues and take on different challenges in his career.
One aspect that Conan admitted to missing is being part of a close-knit team, surrounded by incredibly talented and funny individuals. He fondly reminisced about sitting with peers who amazed him with their humor. Conan jokingly mentioned that he may have made a mistake when hiring writers, sarcastically referring to them as the “worst” and poked fun at the fact that some of them are still working at the show.
Despite missing the camaraderie, Conan emphasized that his decision to move on was driven by a desire to try new things rather than a yearning to return to the late-night show format. He mentioned the thrill of coming up with innovative ideas and executing them on the show, pointing out the sense of accomplishment that comes with creating content that resonates with viewers.
Conan also discussed the influence of the changing political landscape and the impact of Covid-19 on his show. He noted that the Trump presidency and the pandemic bringing the show into his garage for remote recordings ultimately contributed to his decision to retire.
During the conversation, Conan and guest James Corden touched on a variety of topics, including Corden’s love for grilling and his admiration for Conan’s parenting skills. Corden shared his belief that watching Conan interact with his children before they boarded the school bus exemplified an ideal father figure. They also shared humorous anecdotes, including Corden mistaking Conan’s family for his own and complimenting his “property” while driving past his house.
The conversation took a sincere turn as Conan revealed his admiration for David Bowie and how one of his quotes impacted his decision to move on. He recounted an encounter with Bowie at a club, where Bowie approached him to say hello. Conan described Bowie as a gentleman and recalled the joy of having him as a guest on his show. The quote that resonated with Conan was, “You should never try and fulfill other people’s expectations.” These words reinforced Conan’s belief that staying in his comfort zone would hinder his growth and prevent him from swimming into deeper waters.
Conan concluded the conversation by mentioning his upcoming role in a serious play at the Old Vic in London. He expressed his fear and excitement for the challenge, acknowledging that the unknown can be daunting but also exhilarating. Conan shared his belief that taking risks and exploring new opportunities is essential for personal and professional growth, even if it means leaving behind something as significant as hosting a late-night talk show.
