Conan O’Brien gets his 'I told you so' moment with Stephen Colbert on late-night hosting advice

Conan O'Brien made a guest appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday, where he shared some humorous and heartfelt advice with Colbert as he prepares for the eventual end of The Late Show in 2026. O’Brien, who left his own late-night program four years ago, reflected on his career and offered insights to Colbert, who is set to become a late-night veteran as the landscape of the genre continues to shift.

During their conversation, O’Brien recalled a moment when he gave Colbert and other late-night hosts a piece of advice over dinner at a Sizzler restaurant. "Take care of late night, and it will take care of you," O’Brien told Colbert, adding with a laugh, "Don’t do anything to ruffle any feathers. Whatever you do, don’t speak truth to power." O'Brien humorously noted that during his own 28 years as a late-night host, he was largely uninformed about current events. "I never read the news. I had a masturbating bear and a plastic dog. I didn’t even know who was president!" he joked.

The light-hearted moment was met with laughter, to which Colbert responded deadpan, "Thanks for being here, Conan."

On a more serious note, O’Brien expressed his admiration for Colbert, calling him a "comedic force" and emphasizing the special connection Colbert has with his audience. O’Brien added, "No one else owns that. That’s yours for the rest of your life." O’Brien’s sentiments reflect the ongoing changes in late-night television, especially as Colbert’s The Late Show will conclude in May 2026. Other late-night shows are also facing major transitions, with Jimmy Kimmel Live briefly taken off the air after controversial remarks by Kimmel.

O'Brien concluded with a note of encouragement, assuring Colbert that his future is bright, and that the bonds he has formed with his viewers will remain a lasting legacy.