Conan O’Brien Behind The Late Show Desk Won Late Night This Week

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It was a busy week for cross-promotion on late-night TV! Everyone seemed to be appearing on each other’s shows. It was quite a sight. Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert even showed up on each other’s programs simultaneously – something you’d never have seen during the competitive late-night scene of the ’90s. The Daily Show’s Josh Johnson and Seth Meyers were guests on Kimmel’s show while he was filming in Brooklyn. Jimmy Fallon made an appearance on Watch What Happens Live to talk about his new reality show (the one he keeps comparing to The Apprentice, and honestly, Girl, not right now). And Conan O’Brien, back from a break from late night, promoted his role in the new movie with Rose Byrne.

It’s understandable why late-night hosts are sticking together. More information about Kimmel’s short suspension came out during a meeting between Kimmel and Colbert. Interestingly, James Taylor sent both of them very kind notes – perhaps the same note to each, but thoughtful either way. And on The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast this week, we found out that Meyers received a text from Kimmel immediately after wrapping up a session with the Las Cultch group. That must have been overwhelming. So, yes, the late-night guys connected this week with the only other people who truly understand what it’s like. It made for compelling television.

5.
Lisa Barlow’s Reckoning on WWHL

https://youtube.com/watch?v=PD_T8Hw78zw?si=cAD_pVjsrgQ146ib

This was a particularly memorable “Work the Polls” segment. If you haven’t seen it before, Andy Cohen asks the Watch What Happens Live audience to vote on questions about a Bravo star and the latest episode of their show, while the star sits there and watches the public’s opinions come in. Lisa Barlow received a lot of negative votes from the audience, but she remained dignified. It was similar to Jax Taylor’s recent difficult appearance, but not quite as bad – it didn’t make you question Bravo as a whole. It was simply a well-deserved moment of humbling for someone who could use a dose of reality.

4.
Who Does Mariah Carey Know?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=xGoqQJpCrjs

It’s honestly hilarious to ask Mariah Carey – the one who famously said “I don’t know her” – to play a game identifying and describing celebrities. The Tonight Show deserves credit for coming up with the idea, and even more credit to Mariah for playing along. Seeing her attempt to explain who Kim Kardashian is was pure entertainment. Her thinking of Barbra Streisand when asked about a singer considered royalty? We’ve all been there. But watching the realization dawn on Mariah that she needed to know something – *anything* – about Timothée Chalamet? That was truly perfect.

3.
Seth Meyers Thanks His Interns

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=QAWFWZuSFXw

It’s the start of Spooky Season, so let’s enjoy a bit of “The Cask of Amontillado” as a fun treat. Meyers really gave it his all in this sketch, and the audience responded with nervous laughter-it wasn’t silence, but they weren’t wildly enthusiastic either. There was a touch of real fear, actually. I think they generally understood what he was doing, but they were also surprised and puzzled to see Meyers act so differently from his usual friendly self. However, he stayed completely committed. He’ll see a joke through to the very end, and that deserves applause.

2.
Gavin Newsom Goes to Brooklyn

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=wav3Kj7mniY

When it comes to reliably funny people from the Meyers family, I really enjoy Josh Meyers’s impression of Gavin Newsom. As someone who lives in Los Angeles, it’s satisfying to see him playfully criticized for the very things that are irritating about him. And then to have Seth Meyers make an appearance too? It was fantastic. While many people remember the “Hi Donald!” Instagram post from that night, it’s easy to forget that all these comedians came together to perform a lighthearted character sketch.

1.
Conan and Colbert Swap Places

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Nv9kkpBeqdw

Conan O’Brien always seems to be performing – that’s the idea behind his documentary, and it really holds true. He’s always prepared to entertain. O’Brien recently appeared on The Late Show to talk about If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, share experiences as a talk-show host who was let go by his network, and perform some silly bits. Seeing him and Colbert trade places on The Late Show stage highlighted what makes these two comedians so unique. Both have always been incredibly expressive with their bodies. Whether it’s O’Brien attempting an Alvin Ailey dance, Colbert climbing on his friend Paul Dinello, or even the way Colbert sets down props during his monologue… they’re both shining examples of physical comedy, right up there with legends like Harold Lloyd and Molly Shannon. They’re like dancers, but delightfully goofy.

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2025-10-03 23:54