L A T E N I G H T
*But were afraid to ask
If you've never seen an episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien (and believe me, you're missing out if you haven't) , it's basically a weird-concept, offbeat universe, complete with cartoonish characters and silly catch phrases, that just happens to include a monologe and celebrity guest interviews. Host Conan O'Brien, sidekick (or co-host, if you perfer) Andy Richter, and bandleader Max Weinburg never fail to amuse (or at least, disturb) you in the wee hours of the morning. (12:30am weeknights on NBC.) So, settle back, meet this crazy cast of characters, and I hope you don't think I'm mental.
So, this is the Man himself, Conan O'Brien. The guy with the 'fat Irish head'. Originally a writer for Saturday Night Live and a writer/producer for The Simpsons, Conan was an unlikely choice for a late-night talk show host. Someone was needed to fill David Letterman's enormous shoes after he left NBC in '93, and Conan was chosen for the job. Conan was a virtual unknown in the comedy world. He'd grown up in an affluent Boston suburb, the middle child in a large Irish-Catholic family, and couldn't have had a stranger comedic pedigree. Hell, he's even a Harvard alumni. So the critics were skeptical when this 6'4 redhead took his place as a principal character in the late night wars raging between Letterman, Leno, NBC and CBS. Anyway, Conan survived a harsh (and, in most cases, undeserved) critical drubbing, and emerged as the best host on late night TV. If you don't believe me, check out the show for yourself.
"I was fighting for attention, fighting for power. The only way I could get it was to get a TV show." -Conan
Andy Richter, famous for hilarious remotes and careful one liners. He got his start in improv clubs and as a cast member of the 'Real Life Brady Bunch' in Chigaco. He and Conan met when O'Brien was putting his show together, so they were't buddies in high school. (Glad I've dispelled that wild rumor). If you've seen Andy at Woodstock '95, the Miss America pagent, or as host of the soap opera 'Lakewood' (where all the main characters happen to be gay) you'll know why Johnny Carson's old sidekick (some guy named Ed) has nothin' on Andy.
This is the show's bandleader, Max. (Paul Shaffer's cooler alter-ego.) I don't know why he's in a dress, but I'm sure it's just a 'comfort' thing. This guy is the leader of the 'Max Weinburg 7', tooted as the 'Best Band in Late Night'. Max used to be Bruce Springsteen's drummer, but gave up the E Street Band for life with Conan and Andy. He's back on tour with the Boss for a little while, but he'll be back at Late Night soon. And tossing off these type of lines during fake NBC Public Service Announcements:
"When you're out having fun, remember: hookers are people too. Say 'thank you' when you're done." -Max
What makes Late Night so special is the sort of humor involved. The show has the most hilarious comedic characters on TV. There's Pimpbot 5000, who combines the classic sensibilities of a 1950s robot with the street-smart sophistication of a 1970s pimp. Another classic character is Carl 'Oldy' Olsen, played by the late William Preston. The character was basically a really old guy who did stuff old guys shouldn't, like gettin' it on:)
Other recurring characters include Triumph the Insult Dog, a sock-puppet who only seems to know one phrase, '...for me to poop on!', the Gaseous Wiener, which is exactly what it sounds like. A flatulent frank. And, of course, Mr. Toilet Bowl. Again, it's just what it sounds like.
'Actual Items' never fails to bring a smile to my lips. Conan's faithful staff regularily scour the country for 'actual ads' in local papers and such. These adds are a bit... strange. Check out the faucet ad on the left, taken from a regular flier. Some of this stuff is too weird to fake.
Other bits are 'Conan's Moral Dilemma' which involves the obligatory devil and a masturbating bear. Now, I freely admit that some of this is toilet human, but Late Night also has some fairly sophisticated tastes. And as soon as I remember those, I'll let you know.
Another memorable bit on the show is 'In The Year 2000'. Conan and Andy predict what the approaching century will bring. Using nothing but some cheap flashlights, scary black 'robes' and incredibly high vocals for the theme song, this routine has earned the show a lot of attention.
"Hey, I come in at 4, they zip me into my suit, and I'm ready to go." -Andy
"This is the show that lets everyone know we're honestly upset and depressed." -Conan
"This isn't a show. This is a night light." -Closed Captioning Guy
"I'll be off with my mistress, Lady Bottle." -Andy
"You know, screw them if they can't take a joke." -Max
"A product like that makes me wish I could menstruate." -Andy
"Stop hitting my sidekick!" -Conan O'Brien
"This is the most theological discussion we've ever had on this show. I keep waiting for a puppet to come wandering out." -Conan
This is a bit on the show where the closed-captioning guy goes a little nuts, and stops typing what Conan and Andy are saying. He tends to get a little nasty.