Conan O'Brien: Traditional Talk Show Format "Is Going Away"

Conan O’Brien recently stated his belief that he now connects with a larger audience through his current digital and streaming ventures than he did during his tenure on traditional late-night television. He indicated that his podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and his HBO/Max travel show, Conan O’Brien Must Go, reach more people than his TBS talk show Conan did before its conclusion in 2021.

O’Brien suggested a significant shift in media consumption, noting that the traditional talk show format "is going away."

This evolution away from the classic late-night structure, O'Brien explained, offers considerable benefits. He expressed an increased sense of freedom in these new formats, which allows for different types of interviews and more expansive creative expression.

O'Brien's comments are particularly notable given his extensive career in late-night television. Before his 11-year run on TBS, he hosted NBC’s The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (2009–2010) and Late Night with Conan O’Brien (1993–2009). His observations align with recent shifts in the late-night landscape, including announcements such as CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert going off air in May and ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live.