I’ve been so busy packing boxes for our move to a new house this weekend that I forgot to comment about Conan O’Brien’s final broadcast of “The Tonight Show.” When I lived in New York City over 15 years ago, I saw a taping of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” I went alone because, at the time, Conan’s show had only been on the air for a year and he had a much smaller following. No one in my circle of friends was interested in showing up early to get a ticket to a 4 PM taping. But I was able to leave work early to do just that. It wasn’t hard to get a ticket but the theater did fill up with loyal fans. I don’t even remember who the guests were that day because I just remember Conan being, well, awesome. He was vibrant and funny and really, really tall. He was dancing around the room and in the aisles before the show. He would dance with everyone who asked. This was all before Ellen made it popular. I had fun and I felt like I was a part of something cool. It didn’t matter that I went alone. I wasn’t alone in that room. It was a blast.
It really stinks that Conan only held the reins of the lengedary “Tonight Show” for a short seven months. He stepped down last Friday, January 22nd. I almost thought he wouldn’t step down after the amazing amount of support everyone was showing him on blogs, on Facebook, on Twitter, and even in an impromptu Los Angeles rally.
What I really love about Conan is epitomized in his final words. He was sincere and honest. He was so passionate about his job. And he left us all with a great message. “If you work really hard and you’re kind…amazing things will happen.” Work Hard. Be Kind. I’m adding that to my list of inspirational mantras. Thanks, Conan. See you soon.
