Why did Conan O’Brien leave Late Night? Comedian explains his decision

Conan O’Brien explains why he chose to leave late night television before reaching 30 years in the industry

Conan O’Brien has revealed that he chose to step away from late night television before he could reach the 30-year mark, saying he could see the industry changing around him.

Speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime in Los Angeles on September 30, O’Brien reflected on his decision to end Conan, his TBS late-night show, in 2021. The comedian said he had spent around 28 years working in late night across NBC and Turner when he began considering his exit.

“I knew I wanted to wrap up my late night gig soon,” O’Brien said, explaining that some people had suggested he stay until he reached 30 years. However, he felt the direction of the industry was becoming increasingly clear.

“I’ve loved it, but you can kind of see which way things [are] going,” he recalled thinking.

O’Brien then offered a characteristically humorous explanation for his decision, saying he wanted to leave before anyone else could make the decision for him.

“And so, in true sort of Irish tradition, I wanted to leave the party before I was asked to leave,” he said.

The comedian also discussed the changing economics of late night television, noting that the format had evolved considerably since its early days. He compared the rise of late night programming to networks discovering unused space in an attic, eventually turning those hours into profitable programming.

According to O’Brien, the growth of cable television, followed by streaming and the internet, fundamentally changed the business. He pointed to the sheer volume of online video content as a new form of competition for traditional late-night programmes.

Despite those changes, O’Brien said he is now more comfortable with his work in podcasting, where he has a smaller team and feels everyone has a crucial role.