'He is the GOAT': Internet elated as Conan O’Brien is set to return to 'The Tonight Show' after 14 years

Conan O’Brien was also abruptly removed from 'The Tonight Show' in 2010 after former host, Jay Leno, decided to return to screen
PUBLISHED APR 4, 2024
Conan O'Brien will mark his first return to 'The Tonight Show' since his short-lived hosting stint from 2009 to 2010 (Getty Images)
Conan O'Brien will mark his first return to 'The Tonight Show' since his short-lived hosting stint from 2009 to 2010 (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Conan O’Brien is finally returning to 'The Tonight Show' after over a decade, reports Deadline.

The comedian will be a guest on the late-night talk show, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, marking his first return to the series since his short-lived hosting stint from 2009 to 2010.

The much-anticipated episode will air on April 9 as a part of O’Brien’s press tour for his upcoming Max series 'Conan O’Brien Must Go'.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Conan O'Brien attends the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards at L.A.
Conan O’Brien is set to make a comeback to 'The Tonight Show!' after more than a decade (Getty Images)

Conan O’Brien was extremely disappointed after being sacked from 'The Tonight Show'

'The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien' ran for a couple of seasons on NBC before the host was let go from the role.

He was also abruptly removed from the show in 2010 after former host, Jay Leno, decided to return to screen.

The network proposed a half-hour time bump for 'The Tonight Show' to 12.05 pm, which O’Brien was vocal about and largely met with public support. 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Jay Leno attends
Conan O’Brien was also abruptly removed from 'The Tonight Show' in 2010 after former host, Jay Leno, decided to return to screen (Getty Images)

“I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it,” O’Brien said in a statement at the time.

“My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of the Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more,” he added.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Humor Me | Max (@humorme)


 

Conan O’Brien then got his own show titled 'Conan' on TBS

O’Brien bounced back quickly, landing his own self-titled TBS talk show, which aired from 2010 to 2021 for 11 seasons.

Leno commented on the switchup in a 2022 interview on Bill Maher's 'Club Random' podcast, denying he "deliberately sabotaged" O'Brien's shot at the show. "That doesn't work," Leno said. "It doesn't work that way. You try and do the best you can and it didn't work."


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Max (@streamonmax)


 

Leno’s version of 'The Tonight Show' aired from 1992 to 2009, and again from 2010 to 2014. Jimmy Fallon, 49, stepped in as Leno’s replacement in 2014 and has maintained the hosting job ever since. 

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 17:  Jimmy Fallon during
Jimmy Fallon stepped in 'The Tonight Show' as Jay Leno’s replacement in 2014 and has maintained the hosting job ever since (Getty Images)

Fans excited for Conan O’Brien's comeback to show

The Internet also expressed happiness after news concerning Conan O’Brien's comeback to 'The Tonight Show' broke out.

One fan tweeted, "He is the GOAT," and another said, "He is 1000 times better than Fallon. Conan is actually original and funny."



 



 

"In an alternate reality, Conan is in his 15th year on The Tonight Show and killing it," echoed one, and another said, "They don’t deserve our sweet Coco!" seemingly taking a shot at the late-night show.

"He should be next year’s Oscar host," one fan opined. 



 



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025