Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quirky late-night show aimed at adults and older teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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
- Premiere date : November 8, 2010
- Cast : Andy Richter , Conan O'Brien
- Network : TBS
- Genre : Variety Show
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 19, 2025
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