Conan

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Quirky late-night show aimed at adults and older teens.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this version of Conan O’Brien’s late-night show is bit looser than when he was on The Tonight Show, and bit more adult. Conan appears liberated to structure the show however he wants, to make jokes about anything he wants, and that freedom has loosened him up and bettered his performance. Some of his guests also take that freedom to mean they can swear (most of it gets bleeped) and to make jokes about sex and drugs that are best suited for adults.

  • If there’s one message to take from Conan, it’s to be yourself. The late-night host spent years in the shadows of other veteran talk-show hosts, first by following David Letterman’s show, then by being named heir to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, only to have that plum job taken away. But by staying true to both his ideals and his quirky sense of humor, he landed a job at TBS where he clearly has the freedom to pursue jokes any way he wants.
  • Conan is a good role model for anyone who’s ever had a career setback. Despite losing his dream job in a very public manner, he’s bounced back and landed a job where his new employers are happy to have him, and happy to give him free rein. It may not be The Tonight Show, but it’s clear he values this artistic freedom.
  • Some skits include mock violence, ranging from a faux suicide attempt to over-the-top gangland shootouts with machine guns. (Nothing bloody.)
  • A “self-pleasuring” bear similar to a character seen in Conan’s old show appears occasionally.
  • Some on-air swearing is bleeped, though some words aren’t, including “hell,” “penis,” “ass,” “boobies” and “t-tties.” Conan and his guests make jokes about how far they can push the language envelope.
  • Conan often refers to other TV networks and specific shows. His guests are all well-known celebrities who often have a project to promote.
  • Some references to drugs and alcohol, including guests who make extended jokes about marijuana.

What's the story?

Ten months after being ousted from his dream job as host of The Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien returned to the air with another late-night forum, titled simply, and significantly, CONAN. The format is nearly identical: opening monologue, a bevy of celebrity guests, and his longtime sidekick Andy Richter in attendance. But the results are different, and an improvement.


Is it any good?

 

Late-night talk shows have different personalities that reflect their hosts. David Letterman is arch, sardonic, and brilliant. Jay Leno is likeable, uncomplicated, a pleaser. And Conan? He’s always been funny, but during his brief tenure at The Tonight Show, he also seemed antsy and constrained, perhaps by its formidable history.

All that’s out the window in his new show at TBS, where he is finally free to be exactly who he wants to be. (Cue the classic tune from childhood.) Here, Conan has verve -- and nerve. His brand of humor was never as mainstream crowd-pleasing as Leno’s, and now he doesn’t have to try to be something he’s not. A bit about a clown talking above the heads of little kids? Check. A Ricky Gervais put-down? Check. Free-wheeling interviews with famous types? That’s all here, all done in quintessential, quirky Conan style.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about Conan’s type of humor. How does his humor on this show differ from that of The Tonight Show? Is one format better than the other?

  • Talk about the swearing -- is it necessary to swear to be funny? What is the function of swear words?

  • Why do celebrities come onto Conan's show? Do you consider any of these celebs role models? What about Conan himself? Why or why not?


This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Teen, 15 years old
June 26, 2011
 
Conan O'brien Rules Your Life. If You Didn't Know That, It's Just Because He's Done Such A Good Job.
Conan O'Brien is awesome. Come on, you know he is. It is completely fine for 8+.

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Teen, 16 years old
April 8, 2011
 
i rate this title IFFY for ages 14+
The good stuff * Messages: If there’s one message to take from Conan, it’s to be yourself. The late-night host spent years in the shadows of other veteran talk-show hosts, first by following David Letterman’s show, then by being named heir to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, only to have that plum job taken away. But by staying true to both his ideals and his quirky sense of humor, he landed a job at TBS where he clearly has the freedom to pursue jokes any way he wants. * Role models: Conan is a good role model for anyone who’s ever had a career setback. Despite losing his dream job in a very public manner, he’s bounced back and landed a job where his new employers are happy to have him, and happy to give him free rein. It may not be The Tonight Show, but it’s clear he values this artistic freedom. What to watch out for * Violence: Some skits include mock violence, ranging from a faux suicide attempt to over-the-top gangland shootouts with machine guns. (Nothing bloody.) * Sex: A “self-pleasuring” bear similar to a character seen in Conan’s old show appears occasionally. * Language: Some on-air swearing is bleeped, though some words aren’t, including “h--l,” “pe-is,” “a-s,” “b--bies” and “t-tties.” Conan and his guests make jokes about how far they can push the language envelope. * Consumerism: Conan often refers to other TV networks and specific shows. His guests are all well-known celebrities who often have a project to promote. * Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some references to drugs and alcohol, including guests who make extended jokes about marijuana.

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Adult
March 22, 2011
 
I saw Conan in person, as he talked about his life and where he is now, I have also watched his show- he"s just not funny.

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Parent
November 15, 2010
 
Conan
I've been waiting a long time for this show to come back on the air. Conan is hilarious.

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Kid, 12 years old
February 2, 2011
 
Great. Could be rated TV-PG.
Really good. If swears are said they are bleeped. Really most of the language is sexual language. Iffy for 10+

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Kid, 13 years old
January 18, 2011
 
Just make sure the laughs are coming from kids at least 12. Then your good. :)
Conan is a very funny show that can be a bit grown-up at times. Sometimes there is some sexual content. If "anything" is shown, it is blurred. There usually isn't a lot of curseing in it, but if there is, it is bleeped. Some suggestive dialogue. Not to bad. Conan has celebrity guests and a musical group. Those can be used as consermerism. It is not that bad. It is LOL hilarious. Just make sure the laughs are coming from someone at LEAST 12. Any younger would be to young. Have fun!

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Teen, 14 years old
August 20, 2011
 
Conan!
ahahahaahahahah, hysterical show.

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Kid, 13 years old
March 28, 2012
 
Conan can have funny skits but hes not funny all the time
conan's skits can be hilarious like the animals with emotions skit where he had the egale that saw the hulk hogan sex tape LOL!!! or the skit with will ferral saying he has a brother that lives in hollywood and hes crazy. Just little ideas with the right people can make it funny. the jokes are usally pg-13+ so anything younger would be pretty bad if they watched it. Its a heck of allot better that lopez tonight...........is that show even on anymore?

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Adult
March 30, 2012
 
HE'S BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!!!
Quite possibly the funniest talk show host ever! Conan is so funny, but there are plenty of adult humor, mostly related to sexual content. This is a great show for kids 14 and older! You and your kids will laugh your entire body off!

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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
TV rating:TV-14
Network:TBS
Cast:Andy Richter, Conan O'Brien
Genre:Variety Show

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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