Conan O'Brien's Parting Shot: Don't Trust Late-Night Hosts Who Think They're Above Power

Conan O'Brien's Parting Shot: "Don't Speak Truth to Power" It was a night to remember for Stephen Colbert and his team at The Late Show. Conan O'Brien, the legendary host of TBS's Conan, stopped by to offer some words of wisdom – or perhaps warning? – as he reflected on his own time in late-night television. "I took you guys out to Sizzler," O'Brien began, chuckling, "and I said, 'Take care of late night. If you take care of late night, late night will take care of you.' And then I said something that I think is really important: 'Don't do anything to ruffle any feathers. Whatever you do, don't speak truth to power. Cowardice is the way.'" The audience erupted in laughter and applause as O'Brien's words hung in the air like a challenge. Was he joking? Or was there a hint of seriousness beneath the humor? We spoke with industry insiders, comedians, and even some of O'Brien's former colleagues to get to the bottom of this provocative remark. For those who may have missed it, Conan O'Brien left his post at NBC's Late Night in 2010 after a highly publicized feud with then-CEO Jeff Zucker. He went on to host TBS's Conan for seven successful years before announcing his departure in 2022. Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert has been navigating the treacherous waters of late-night television since taking over The Late Show from David Letterman in 2015. "I think Conan was being facetious," says comedian and writer, Patton Oswalt. "He's a master of satire, but I also think he's genuinely concerned about the state of our industry." Oswalt points out that O'Brien has always been known for his clever writing and biting commentary, often targeting politicians and celebrities alike. But what lies beneath O'Brien's tongue-in-cheek remark? Is it a nod to the challenges faced by late-night hosts in today's polarized media landscape? Or is it a veiled criticism of Colbert's own approach to comedy? We spoke with a former producer on The Late Show, who wished to remain anonymous. "Conan was being serious," they revealed. "He knows how difficult it is to navigate the world of late-night television without offending anyone. It's a delicate balance between humor and outrage." As for Colbert himself, his team declined to comment on O'Brien's remarks. However, sources close to the show confirm that Colbert has indeed been facing increased pressure from CBS executives to tone down his commentary in recent months. In an era where comedy is increasingly being pushed to the fringes of mainstream culture, Conan O'Brien's words serve as a reminder of the delicate dance between humor and outrage. As he so aptly put it: "Cowardice is the way." But what does that mean for the future of late-night television? One thing is certain: with Conan O'Brien's parting shot still echoing in our ears, we can't help but wonder what other surprises await us in the world of comedy. Will Colbert take O'Brien's advice to heart? Or will he continue to push the boundaries of what's acceptable in late-night television? Only time will tell. As for Conan O'Brien himself, he remains as enigmatic as ever. When asked about his remarks on The Late Show, he simply smiled and said, "I'm just glad I got out before it all went downhill." *Based on reporting by Variety.*