Conan O’Brien hosted The Tonight Show from 2009 to 2010. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Conan O’Brien was abruptly fired from the program after the former host Jay Leno made a comeback to television in 2010.
Conan O’Brien is all set for his return to The Tonight Show after 14 years of his exit from the same. The 60-year-old comedian will reportedly make his comeback to the show, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, as a guest and the episode will go on air on April 9 as a part of O’Brien’s press tour for his upcoming Max series, Conan O’Brien Must Go. Notably, this will mark O’Brien’s first appearance on the show post his short stint as a host for the show from 2009 to 2010. The episode featuring the comedian will also include Nicole Richie and musical guest Benson Boone.
It needs to be noted that O’Brien was abruptly fired from the program after the former host Jay Leno made a comeback to television in 2010. In addition to that, O’Brien did not agree to the network’s proposal to move the on-air time of the show by half an hour to 12:05 p.m. Post his exit from the show, he, in a statement at that time, said, “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.”
He added, “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.”
O’Brien bounced back quickly and resumed working to entertain his audience. He landed his own self-titled TBS talk show. It aired from 2010 to 2021 for 11 seasons. On the other hand, Leno, who earlier hosted The Tonight Show from 1992 to 2009, fulfilled his responsibility as a host from 2010 to 2014. Later, Fallon replaced him for the position and since then, he has maintained the hosting job. O’Brien went on to assemble a team of ex-colleagues and planned a nationwide comedy tour, marking a fresh venture in his career path.
