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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. BradS
    Jun 3, 2009
    0
    Why did NBC destroy the show?
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. EthanG
    Jun 17, 2009
    1
    Dismal, cold and the so-called executives approved this insanity ; are they also running the LA Clippers?
  8. 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.
  9. 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

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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