Conan O'Brien bids farewell to later time spot

No more vomiting Kermit. No more, er, self-fondling bear. No more poo-eating duck and probably, no more inappropriate Asian gay boyfriend jokes for announcer Joel Goddard.

Conan O'Brien bid farewell Friday night, not to his fans or his show, but to his late night New York spot. A spot he’s held since 1993. He heads to sunny Los Angeles, California on June 1 to take over Jay Leno's infamous "Tonight Show" spot -- a move that he promised fans, won't make him "grow up."

“That’s just not going to happen,” he said to a roar from the crowd. “This is who I am, for better or worse.”

And really, thank God for that.

Even if this doesn't mature Conan or his show's comedy, still, an hour earlier switch means certain bits and characters just won’t work. Can’t let the kiddies get a taste of La Bamba sporting a thong – or Maxy having another one of his Conan fantasies. But I’m confident that the heart and soul of the show – and what has given Mr. O’Brien such a supportive fanbase – will remain the same. The silliness of his general being, the awful-yet-hilarious impressions and the goofball interviewing that makes him such a treat to watch.

For his last show, Conan ended on a high note – recapping the moments that made the show great. (I secretly hope they put those “Best of ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’” on DVD or something.) From releasing scared, wrinkly Abe Vigoda back into the wild – I nearly died laughing – to bringing past-sidekick Andy Richter back on stage one last time, the night was full of hilarity. And what would a Conan send off be without a little leprechaun, also known as Will Ferrell in tight green briefs and a green hat.

Putting the funnies aside for a moment, Conan spent his last moments on set, or what was left of his set (he promised pieces of the “late night” stage to members of the audience), to say goodbye. Even though the show hopefully won’t change with the location and the time difference, Friday night was still an emotional farewell to the “Late Night” program that once was. Conan handled everything like a champ, thanking those who helped him get to where he is and expressing great gratitude in those who “took a chance” on our Big Red. It was a perfect send off. And it just goes to show that at the end of the day – joking aside – our favorite late night ginger is all class. After all these years and so much fame, he’s still humble and you still feel like he’s a genuine, non-douchey human being. (Hey Carson, take notes.)

Check out some fine Conan moments:


-- Sara Boyd, sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com