Conan

TV review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Conan Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Quirky late-night show aimed at adults and older teens.

TBS Variety Show 2010
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 11 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

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.

Community Reviews

Pittsburghmichaels
Pittsburghmichaels Adult
January 31, 2018
age 12+

Conan comes to TBS in a funny show

Conan is a funny show with Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter being the hosts. This show is more edgier than The Tonight Show, The Late Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The jokes in here are mostly fine but sometimes can be about Male body functions. This jokes are uncommon but I recommend for younger viewers than 12 years old to watch this with a parent. Recommend for kids 12+
HistoryGoddess
HistoryGoddess Adult
March 22, 2011
age 15+
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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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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

TV Details

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