'The GOAT': Internet elated as Conan O'Brien makes long-awaited return to 'The Tonight Show'

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Conan O'Brien made a long-awaited return to 'The Tonight Show', marking his first appearance since his unexpected departure as host from NBC's late-night talk show in 2010.

During his guest spot on the April 9 episode of 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', the 60-year-old comedian reminisced about returning to the familiar surroundings of the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan.

Conan O'Brien reflects on Kelly Clarkson takeover and teases new series

"It's weird to come back. It's weird. I haven't been in this building for such a long time, and I haven't been on this floor in forever," remarked the Massachusetts native, who helmed 'Late Night' from 1993 to 2009 within the same building.

The former talk show host then confided in Jimmy Fallon, 49, about the emotional impact of witnessing someone else take over his former studio.

"The first thing that will hit you, and it will hit you, too, because one day," he predicted, "You'll have this show as long as you want it, but when you're 98, you'll move on, and someone else will be in this studio. When someone else is in your studio, it feels weird."

Inquisitive about the current occupant of his old studio, O'Brien discovered it's now the set for Kelly Clarkson's Emmy-winning talk show.

"I love Kelly Clarkson. Who doesn't love Kelly Clarkson? But still I felt like, 'It's not right!'' he joked. "It's blasphemy! They should have burned it to the ground!"

During his appearance, O'Brien also took the chance to promote his upcoming Max series, 'Conan O’Brien Must Go'.

His brief stint as 'The Tonight Show's host from June 2009 to January 2010 came to an abrupt end due to NBC's decision to replace him with Jay Leno, despite Leno's prior handover of the 'Tonight Show' reins to O'Brien, marking one of the most dramatic moments in late-night television history.

Following his time on 'The Tonight Show', O'Brien embarked on an 11-season journey as the host of the TBS late-night program 'Conan', which concluded in 2021, marking the end of his remarkable 28-year career as a late-night talk show host.

Fans ecstatic as Conan O'Brien returns to 'Tonight Show'

Social media rejoiced at Brian's return to the show, with users expressing sheer delight and excitement to see him back in action.

One person wrote, "Crazy seeing Conan return on the Tonight Show. Team Coco all the way." 

Another person wrote, "Conan returns to the Tonight Show in TRIUMPHHH being one of the greatest of all time." 

"Well, the word is ICONIC,” someone else noted. 

"It’s so funny when Jimmy interviews someone who is actually good at interviewing. Conan is fully in control this entire segment lol," said a viewer. 

"Conan remotes will always be one of the greatest talk show segments of all time," one comment read. 

"Glad Conan the GOAT finally made it back to the tonight show. He was treated so unfairly by NBC, but he's the bigger man returning there tonight on his own terms!" another said.

"He left late night, but he didn't retire. Every show he leaves to, he comes back stronger. I love you, Conan," said a viewer. 

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