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About The Show
Referred to as “the
most cunning talk show around” by "Entertainment Weekly," Late Night with Conan
O’Brien began its tenth season on September 13, 2002. In addition to dominating
the ratings in its time period, every aspect of “Late Night” has been praised in
the media, from Conan himself (“modest, wry, self-effacing and demonstrably the
most intelligent of the late-night comics,” "The Washington Post") and the
show’s comedy (“original and often breathtakingly silly,” said the "New York
Daily News"), to the Max Weinberg Seven (“the best band in late-night TV,” said
"The Washington Post").
Since its debut in 1993, “Late Night” has attracted fans with its innovative
comedy, including the sketches “In the Year 2000” and “If They Mated,” as well
as “Clutch Cargo” or “The Lips,” wherein photos of scores of politicians and
celebrities have appeared with someone else’s lips and voice doing the talking.
Over the years, many other recurring comedy bits and characters including
“Triumph the Insult Comic Dog,” “Pimpbot 5000” have gained loyal fans. O’Brien
and the “Late Night” writers have been consistently nominated for an Emmy Award
for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series. The “Late Night” writing
team has won four Writers Guild Awards for Best Writing including two
consecutive wins in 2002 and 2003.
Like other talk shows, “Late Night” books A-List guests chatting up their latest
blockbuster movies or hit television shows. The difference rests with O’Brien’s improvisational style which "The New York Times" described as “able and
quick-witted.” What’s more, in the crowded talk show universe, “Late Night”
offer viewers a different take on guests they won’t find elsewhere, such as Jim
Carrey having a cell phone conversation with Stephen Hawking, Martha Stewart
enjoying some malt liquor and a bean burrito or an entire episode in clay
animation. Also earlier this year, Conan taped 4 episodes for Late Night in
Canada.
From the beginning, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” has been the premiere venue for alternative music acts. In its first decade, the show has welcomed one of
the most diverse and cutting-edge assortments of musical performers on network
television. Visitors to the program include acts ranging from living legends and
current hit makers to underground sensations. In addition, “Late Night” boasts
the network television debuts of superstar acts like Radio head, Green Day,
Sheryl Crow, Coldplay, No Doubt and Wilco as well as the unprecedented week-long
appearance by The White Stripes in 2003. Lorne Michaels, the creator and
producer of “Saturday Night Live” and Jeff Ross are the executive producers of
“Late Night.” Allan Kartun directs and the show’s writing is led by Mike Sweeney.
http://www.nbc.com/nbc/Late_Night_with_Conan_O'Brien/video/ to see some great clips of the Show
since 4-30-04