Conan O’Brien Makes His "Tonight Show" Return and Reminisces on His Time Hosting "Late Night"

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

9 Apr 202410:34

Summary

TLDRIn this engaging conversation, the host and guest reminisce about their experiences in the entertainment industry. They discuss the challenges of being tall in show business, memorable moments from their careers, and the surreal nature of past events. The discussion also touches on the guest's interactions with fans and the humbling effect these encounters can have on one's perception of fame.

Takeaways

🎤 The conversation begins with a discussion about the host's experience of receiving a standing ovation and the impact it has on performers.
🕒 The host mentions the limited time they had on 'The Tonight Show' and how the guest's actions inadvertently encroached on the schedule.
🏆 The guest's height is highlighted as a unique characteristic that has both positive and negative implications for their career.
🤣 The host's self-consciousness about their height led to them adopting a crouching posture to make guests feel more comfortable during the show.
📸 The guest shares a nostalgic moment of their first-ever talk show appearance and the significance of the host's encouragement.
🏙️ The host reflects on their time spent at the 'Late Night' show and the memories associated with the studio and dressing room.
🎭 The host recounts humorous anecdotes from their time at the show, including interactions with older actors and the unconventional methods of booking guests.
🔥 An unexpected fire in the building and the decision to continue with the show despite the evacuation orders are mentioned as memorable incidents.
📷 The guest talks about their positive experiences with fans and the importance of taking selfies to make fans happy.
🤦‍♂️ A humorous misunderstanding is shared where the guest accidentally takes a selfie with the wrong person, showcasing the downside of celebrity encounters.
🎶 The conversation ends with a promise to delve deeper into various topics, hinting at the richness of the discussion to follow.

Q & A

What was the guest's reaction to the host's height?
-The guest acknowledged the host's height and jokingly referred to him as a 'freak', but also mentioned that the host's tall stature could potentially impact his career, as some guests might feel intimidated.
How did the host accommodate shorter guests on the show?
-The host would physically adjust the situation by getting up from his desk, greeting the guests, and then placing them in a chair to minimize the height difference.
What was the host's concern about his height in relation to his role as a TV host?
-The host was self-conscious about his height because he didn't want to overshadow his guests, especially shorter male actors, and he aimed to make everyone feel comfortable on his show.
What was the host's first talk show like?
-The guest mentioned that their first talk show experience was on this particular show, and the host expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the long-lasting impact of that experience.
How did the host's parents react when their son was on the show?
-The host's parents were in the hallway after the guest's appearance on the show, asking how their son did, to which the guest responded positively, predicting the host's future success.
What was the host's feeling about returning to the old studio?
-The host felt a flood of memories from his 16-year tenure doing the 'Late Night' show, and it was a strange experience for him to see someone else using his old studio.
How did the host feel about the new occupant of his old studio?
-The host jokingly expressed a sense of ownership and discomfort with the idea of someone else using his old studio, even though he likes Kelly Clarkson, the new occupant.
What was a memorable incident involving an older actor and the host's dressing room?
-The host recalled an incident where Frank Gorshin, known as TV's Riddler, knocked on his dressing room door and used voices from the 1930s to ask to be let on the show.
What was the significance of the Muppet pipes in Max Weinberg's dressing room?
-The Muppet pipes were a remnant from when Jim Henson did a show in the '60s and decorated the pipes with drawings. The host would often bring his parents to see the pipes when they visited the set.
What was a surreal experience the host had with a guest on the show?
-The host shared a story about a time when there was a fire in the building, and they decided to proceed with the show anyway at a skating rink with Samuel L. Jackson as the guest.
How does the host feel about taking selfies with fans?
-The host is open to taking selfies with fans, believing it takes only a second and makes the fans happy. He enjoys the interaction and the moments of connection with his audience.
What was an embarrassing moment the host had with a fan in Boston?
-The host mistook a stranger for a fan in Boston, thinking the man was expressing admiration for his work. He took the man into a headlock for a selfie, only to realize afterward that the man was not his fan but just someone waiting for his wife.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 The Challenges of Hosting and Height

The paragraph discusses the host's experience with hosting a show and the challenges that come with being taller than average. The host talks about having to adjust their posture to make guests feel comfortable, especially shorter male actors, and the impact this had on their career. The conversation also touches on memorable moments from past shows, such as introducing famous guests and handling unexpected situations like fires in the building. The host reflects on the transient nature of their role and the memories associated with their time in the studio.

05:01

🎭 Behind the Scenes: Dressing Rooms and Showbiz Memories

This paragraph delves into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the show, including anecdotes about dressing rooms and interactions with guests. The host shares stories about actors seeking to be on the show and the unique experiences they had, such as buying a massage chair for a guest. There's also a humorous recount of a mistaken identity incident at an airport, highlighting the lighter side of celebrity encounters. The paragraph captures the essence of the unpredictable and often surreal world of show business.

10:01

🏙️ Returning to the Studio: Nostalgia and Humble Moments

In this paragraph, the host reflects on returning to the studio after a long absence, the nostalgia it evokes, and the strange feeling of someone else occupying their old space. They discuss the legacy they left behind and the realization that their time in the studio is just a small part of a larger, ongoing story. The host also talks about the humility that comes with being recognized in public and the mix of emotions that arise from these encounters, emphasizing the human aspect of fame.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Standing Ovation

A standing ovation is a form of applause where the audience stands up to show their appreciation for a performance or speaker. In the context of the video, it signifies a high level of respect and admiration for the individual being honored, as indicated by the phrase 'That was a standing ovation.'

💡Tallness

Tallness refers to the height of a person. In the video, it is discussed as a potential hurdle for the host's career, with the concern that it might deter some guests from appearing on the show. The host's self-consciousness about their height is evident when they mention being told it could hurt their career and their habit of crouching to make guests comfortable.

💡Iconic

The term 'iconic' is used to describe something or someone that is widely recognized and has become a symbol or representative of a particular idea, style, or time period. In the video, it is used to refer to the host's larger-than-life persona and their significant impact on the entertainment industry, as indicated by the phrase 'the words "iconic."'

💡Dressing Room

A dressing room is a space where performers or guests change clothes or prepare before going on stage. In the video, the host's dressing room is mentioned as a place where older actors would knock on the door, hoping to be included in the show. This reflects the behind-the-scenes aspect of television production and the personal interactions that occur in such spaces.

💡Muppet Pipes

The Muppet Pipes refer to a set of pipes decorated by Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, which were located in the dressing room of Max Weinberg, a bandleader on the show. This is an example of the unique and memorable artifacts that can be found in the environment of a long-running television show, adding a layer of history and personal connection to the workplace.

💡Flashbacks

Flashbacks are sudden, vivid memories of past events that can be triggered by a particular place, smell, or other sensory cues. In the video, the host describes experiencing flashbacks when returning to the building where they used to host their show, indicating the strong emotional and psychological ties that can be associated with familiar environments.

💡Selfie

A selfie is a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a smartphone or a digital camera, and often shared on social media. In the video, the host talks about taking selfies with fans, highlighting the modern cultural practice of capturing moments with celebrities and the personal connections fans feel through these interactions.

💡New York City

New York City, often simply referred to as New York, is the most populous city in the United States and a global cultural, financial, and media center. In the video, the host discusses their experiences in New York City, emphasizing the city's role as a hub for the entertainment industry and the personal and professional connections the host has with the city.

💡Late Night Show

The Late Night Show is a late-night talk show format that features interviews, comedy sketches, and musical performances. In the video, the host's reference to 'The Tonight Show' and 'Late Night' indicates their professional background in this genre of television and the significance of these shows in shaping their career.

💡Podcasts

Podcasts are digital audio files made available for streaming or downloading on the Internet; they often cover a specific topic or theme and are released episodically. In the video, the host mentions their podcast, indicating the expansion of their media presence beyond traditional television and into the realm of digital content creation.

💡Humbled

To be humbled means to be made to feel less important or less special, often by being reminded of one's own fallibility or the accomplishments of others. In the video, the host uses the term to describe the feeling of being brought down to earth after a mistaken interaction, emphasizing the humanizing aspect of such moments for public figures.

Highlights

The conversation begins with a discussion on the host's previous show duration and the impact of time management on the show's schedule.

The host's height is playfully addressed as a potential hindrance to their career, highlighting the challenges faced by taller individuals in the entertainment industry.

The host's approach to making guests comfortable, despite their own height, demonstrates their professionalism and consideration for others.

The host's self-consciousness about their height and the measures they took to ensure they didn't overshadow their guests.

The guest shares a nostalgic memory of their first time on the show, emphasizing the significance of the experience and the host's impact on their career.

The host and guest reminisce about past experiences, showcasing the long-lasting relationships and memories created in the entertainment industry.

The host's anecdote about their parents' involvement and support during their early career highlights the importance of family in the entertainment world.

The guest's return to the building after a long absence brings back a flood of memories, illustrating the deep connections people form with the places where they work.

The host's humorous reaction to another host taking over their old studio demonstrates the personal attachment and sense of ownership entertainers can develop for their workspace.

The guest's humorous story about mistaking someone for a fan due to a common attire showcases the humorous and unexpected situations that can arise in public encounters.

The conversation touches on the guest's experience living in New York City and their interactions with fans, highlighting the public's appreciation for their work.

The guest's willingness to engage with fans through selfies underscores their understanding of the importance of fan interaction in their career.

The host and guest discuss the surreal and memorable moments from their past shows, emphasizing the unique and unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry.

The conversation concludes with a promise of more engaging discussion, suggesting the depth and variety of topics yet to be explored.

The transcript showcases the camaraderie and mutual respect between the host and guest, providing a glimpse into the relationships built in the entertainment industry.

The host's anecdote about their time on 'Late Night' and the memories associated with their old studio highlights the personal and emotional connections entertainers form with their work environments.