When Conan O'Brien debuted as host of Late Night on September 13, 1993, I was there for all of it. I loved Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons and David Letterman and all of a sudden it was all coming together. I tuned in that night, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien became appointment viewing for yours truly.
I loved it. It was irreverant, ridiculous, sublime, and most importantly, I found it funny. I enjoyed Andy Richter as Conan's sidekick, The Max Weinberg 7, and those glorious, glorious bits.
I just went for a Sunday evening bike ride and memories of early Conan came flooding back. I remember:
- In the year 2000
- Conan Babies
- Robert Smigel voicing Bill Clinton and others (a still image on a screen where Smigel's lips provided the voice)
- The Gaseous Weiner
- That bit where the desk became a car
- The Masturbating Bear
- If They Mated
- Robot on the Toilet
- Moral Dilemma
- Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
I loved the monolague, I loved the sketches, I loved the guest, I loved it all. But this focus and admiration for a late night talk show only lasted a few years and I've never felt that feeling again.
Still, in 2004, I happily visited the Elgin Theatre to see them record the show live here in Toronto.
