The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 1, 2009
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 69
  3. Negative: 12 out of 69

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User Reviews

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  1. JohnK
    Jun 3, 2009
    3
    I was hoping for a new and improved Conan...not...just the same old silliness that lacks the true comic genius of his predecessors. Jay and Johnny had the "it" factor working for them that Conan doesn't project. Guess I'll be watching more Letterman and waiting for Jay's new gig in the Fall.
  2. kristinb
    Jul 10, 2009
    5
    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 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! … Expand
  3. LouP
    Jun 15, 2009
    3
    Self-referential without being funny; pretending to being hip and arch, but frankly not very smart for an old Harvard Lampoon star.
  4. EricB
    Jun 2, 2009
    9
    Conan's first night was all that we expected from him. He was energetic, hyper, witty, and all-in-all funny. He had a few less jokes and laughs than in his previous late night shows but he did an excellent job at calming himself down towards the middle and end to allow a larger audience base to warm up to him. But he even allowed himself to act naturally in the beginning as a sign of Conan's first night was all that we expected from him. He was energetic, hyper, witty, and all-in-all funny. He had a few less jokes and laughs than in his previous late night shows but he did an excellent job at calming himself down towards the middle and end to allow a larger audience base to warm up to him. But he even allowed himself to act naturally in the beginning as a sign of him not changing his energy and humor. Will Ferrel and him did an excellent job and he was a great choice to start off his show (unlike Deniro). Pearl Jam was also an excellent music choice to wrap the (seemingly) quick show up. A very positive night signals off an even more positive future for Conan's career, and I look forward to the laughs later on.… Expand
  5. Darnell
    Jun 3, 2009
    9
    Conan is King. Sorry Dave. Still love you, but unless CoCo's in reruns, I'll be watching him. The show started off a little too grand, but I'm sure it will settle into a comfort zone pretty quickly. Unless LA simply turns vibrant creativity flat, as some people contend. Being on the Universal lot, they will have plenty of Hollywood magic at their disposal.
  6. tonym
    Jul 10, 2009
    4
    Very disappointing.I liked his prior show because of its informality.This new endeavor apprars forced.
  7. NadaNuff
    Jun 12, 2009
    6
    Still needs work. Conan has a lot of fans, so I'm guessing he must be an acquired taste--I found him to be goofy and a tad uncomfortable with his new surroundings. Not to mention that physical humor is lost on me. I know it's unfair to compare him to Leno, but you can't help it. Leno was much better.
  8. EvanB.
    Jun 2, 2009
    10
    I will finally watch the Tonight Show! Many will miss Jay Leno, but Conan got off to a perfect start! Highly recommended.
  9. Gary
    Jun 2, 2009
    0
    If you thought that the debut of the Tonight Show was even remotely funny, you had better cash your sense of humor in for another one.
  10. DrewD
    Jun 22, 2009
    9
    He's no Johnny Carson, who will always be the Tonight Show's greatest (and whoever says any different is out of their mind) but he beats out Leno (a shill with slight class), and Letterman (an unfunny ass) by a long shot.
  11. GerryC
    Jun 3, 2009
    10
    I love this show!
  12. BradS
    Jun 3, 2009
    0
    Why did NBC destroy the show?
  13. AlanG
    Jun 9, 2009
    3
    Just not my cup of tea. A little too hard edged for me. Doesn't have the warmth that Leno had. Hate the blue back drop for his monologues. Very cold looking. I'm switching to Letterman and liking it.
  14. AlexanderV
    Jul 2, 2009
    10
    Conan moves over the edge and does not take itself so seriously as Leno did. I really love this change.
  15. ronaldp
    Jul 9, 2009
    2
    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.
  16. PaulM
    Jan 22, 2010
    8
    I'm a huge fan of Conan. It's true, Late Night was better but he's still the most entertaining out there. I do have a question though...Who actually LIKES Jay Leno? I have yet to meet anyone who enjoys his middle of the road humor..
  17. miles
    Oct 1, 2009
    10
    By far the most entertaining late night talk show and a vast improvement over Leno.
  18. MesaC
    Jun 15, 2009
    9
    Leno was anything BUT class, all mean, dumb humor. Conan has flair, wit, and he's down to earth. Loved him on Late Night and am rooting for him 24/7 on Tonight. May be a rocky start but he'll find his footing, he has the passion for it.
  19. EthanG
    Jun 17, 2009
    1
    Dismal, cold and the so-called executives approved this insanity ; are they also running the LA Clippers?
  20. CodyB
    Jun 3, 2009
    10
    Classic. Funny. Worth staying up for.
  21. MichaelS
    Jun 30, 2009
    10
    It's the same Conan we all remember from Late Night. I have loved the show so far.
  22. KimH
    Jun 3, 2009
    1
    Jay Leno was the Tonight Show. Entertainingly funny and a class act. Conan's try at humor is just plain stupidity. Conan's Tonight Show is just rerun of Late Night with Conan O'Brien at 11:30 p.m. Same old Conan and same old band with same old stupid humor. I'll have to find something else to watch at 11:30 p.m.now.
  23. BrandonS
    Jun 4, 2009
    9
    Conan's great, and the Tonight Show, after all these years, has finally been saved.
  24. AustinC
    Jun 5, 2009
    10
    In the year 3000, the Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington Post, and Hollywood Reporter will look fairly stupid once Conan is named the All-Time King of Late Night.
  25. GwennethS
    Jun 6, 2009
    4
    O'Brien may have moved to La-La Land but he's still a preferred taste...like pickled pig's feet, or poached tripe...and I have no appetitie for either !! I did give him a chance...but he blew it. Still an un-funny dork, who tries too hard. Sure has big shoes to fill...and it isn't going to happen. Sorry Old Boy, but you are out of your league. Maybe he should take O'Brien may have moved to La-La Land but he's still a preferred taste...like pickled pig's feet, or poached tripe...and I have no appetitie for either !! I did give him a chance...but he blew it. Still an un-funny dork, who tries too hard. Sure has big shoes to fill...and it isn't going to happen. Sorry Old Boy, but you are out of your league. Maybe he should take lessons from David Letterman...Funny, comfortable in his skin, with inimitable class... All three always missing in Conan O'Brien from the start of his hosting career. But I will give him an E for effort.… Expand
  26. TimB
    Jun 8, 2009
    10
    So much more funny than Leno ever was.
  27. TinyTim
    Jul 6, 2009
    6
    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.
  28. ByronL
    Jul 7, 2009
    7
    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.
  29. JP
    Jun 11, 2009
    10
    Conan rocks. Jay was way too douchey. Leno was never the tonight show. It was Carson, still is, but Conan will make it his own. As far as class is concerned, wake up, this country hasn't been about class since the O.J. trial. Rea up on how Leno took over the tonight show in the first place and try to say he's a class act. Give me a break. The "it" factor argument is ridiculous, Conan rocks. Jay was way too douchey. Leno was never the tonight show. It was Carson, still is, but Conan will make it his own. As far as class is concerned, wake up, this country hasn't been about class since the O.J. trial. Rea up on how Leno took over the tonight show in the first place and try to say he's a class act. Give me a break. The "it" factor argument is ridiculous, the basis of comedy is pain and discomfort which Conan and Letterman do great at. Leno was too nice to be a good comedian.… Expand
  30. MelissaM
    Jun 25, 2009
    10
    Conan is back and better than ever!
  31. SamG
    Jul 26, 2009
    1
    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 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 … Expand
  32. HeatherW
    Sep 15, 2009
    9
    I have been a long-time Conan and Late Night fan. I feel like I have grown up watching him and was so excited to see him taking over The Tonight Show. I think he is doing a great job so far, though it is obvious that they are trying to bring the comedy to a broader audience, which is making the new show feel like a watered-down version of Late Night. I get excited to see the old I have been a long-time Conan and Late Night fan. I feel like I have grown up watching him and was so excited to see him taking over The Tonight Show. I think he is doing a great job so far, though it is obvious that they are trying to bring the comedy to a broader audience, which is making the new show feel like a watered-down version of Late Night. I get excited to see the old characters and bits like with Triumph, but the new bits are a little bland. However, I know this is a transition period and I have faith that Conan will make the Tonight Show even funnier than Late Night and much better than the predictable Jay Leno. I know in the long-term Conan will win over a lot of the nay-sayers I see on this site and others if they give him a chance to get in his groove.… Expand
  33. Beats
    Aug 16, 2010
    10
    Conan was way better than Jay. Jay can Walk but conan can talk and make guest laugh. This guy is great. Too bad the show got cancelled but he kept the shows integrity which i like
  34. Straightup
    Sep 25, 2010
    10
    I love Coco's crazy responses to the audience and his wacky style of comedy. Yet he still brings a sense of class to the show with his funny personality. How can you not laugh at La bamba's hat or Andy's face.
  35. shaun8pickles
    Jul 1, 2013
    10
    Conan O'Brien is such a funny guy and I love his show, especially his "Clueless Gamer" segments. He has great conversations with guests on the show, one of my favorite being the guys from "Duck Dynasty". I also love his travel segments where he will travel to different locales (E3, Guiness beer factory etc.) and reports on the spot. I will continue to watch this show for a long time

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best TV Season of 2009
38
#38 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
67
#67 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: David Zurawik
    50
    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.
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  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Joanna Weiss
    80
    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.
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  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    75
    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.
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