Conan calling it quits
There are a lot of different rumors flying around about what Conan O’Brien is going to do about this whole “Tonight Show,” Jay Leno debacle. People Magazine, TMZ, and the New York Daily News all report that Friday, Jan. 22, will likely be Conan O’Brien’s last day hosting “The Tonight Show.”
Sadly, the rumor also goes that Jay Leno will go back to hosting the show. That’s about as wise an idea as robbing a payday loan store. Nonetheless, it appears as though Conan O’Brien will be moving on, and I have some ideas for how the entertainment industry could best make use of his talent.
5. Host another late-night show
I don’t know if there’s another late-night comedy show on the air right now that deserves Conan, but there have been rumors all along that Fox was trying to get Conan to work for them. FOX, as it happens, doesn’t have a late night talk show, so perhaps they could start one, and Conan would mean that there wouldn’t be a repeat of the Joan Rivers fiasco. That might be a good business decision and more appropriate decision overall.
4. Be a perpetual guest star
In Conan’s various roles as a guest star on comedies such as “30 Rock,” he always steals the show. While being a show host takes full advantage of his comedic ability, Conan has some serious acting chops. A sleet of guest spots would likely serve his interests well, and keep him in the public eye. Plus this would give him a lot of freedom, and I think he’d like that.
3. Host of “Jeopardy”
Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Alex Trebec and I think he does a great job hosting “Jeopardy.” He as been doing a great job for 26 years. This leads to my point. Alex Trebec is 69. Doesn’t he deserve to retire? Conan is smart enough to host “Jeopardy” and certainly funny enough to bring in more viewers.
2. Star in a brand new sitcom
I am always up for having more clever, hilarious sitcoms to love. Perhaps “Two and a Half Men” could wake up to the idea that a 16 year old isn’t a “half man,” and Conan could maybe – I dunno – get a Monday night slot on CBS Mondays. I think he’d do great at a lot of different types of roles. Maybe a zookeeper would be good. Or maybe a gym coach? Keeping the school theme – he would make a great principal. The important thing is to keep him in comedy.
1. “30 Rock” cast member
Conan O’Brien has been a guest star on just one episode of “30 Rock,” during season one. The scene with him and Liz Lemon was priceless. He fits “30 Rock” like a glove and the back story, of him and Liz having dated for several years, would make for some great TV. If he were to work full time on “30 Rock” he’d still be working for NBC, but since it is one of the best shows on TV, perhaps he would get over it?
