Conan O’Brien Discusses The End Of His Talk Show

Comedian Conan O’Brien ended his long-running late-night talk show in 2021 after hosting it for 11 years. Of course, he also previously led “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “Late Night.” In more recent years, he’d adapted to a more flexible lifestyle while still delivering his brand of commentary. This includes a podcast, a travel show, and returning as host of the 2026 Academy Awards. Now, he’s opening up about the end of his show and where he believes the industry is going.

O’Brien launched his podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” in 2018 after feeling that the format of his then-running talk show didn’t foster a sense of friendship with his guests. Now, in 2026, the podcast is still going strong, having won multiple podcast awards, including Best Interview/Talk Show at the People’s Voice Awards in 2023, per IMDb.

In February 2026, O’Brien spoke to The New Yorker about how much his life had changed since ending his show. He said, “I left my late-night show four years ago. I’ve had a wonderful time. I think I reach more people now, either through the podcast or doing the travel show.”

O’Brien continued, “I have all this freedom to be me in different ways, in different formats. There’s a lot of really beautiful opportunities, and I’ve been having a blast and getting to have types of interviews I never could have had in that old ‘You’re up in the attic’ format.”

O’Brien continued the interview, discussing where he thinks the talk-show space is headed and his upcoming gig as Oscars host. He said, “I mean, this old format is going away, but they’re being replaced by a multitude of other ways to connect with people and be funny, and be satirical, and be probing, and let your talent run wild—that in some ways are more freeing.”

Regarding preparing to host The Oscars for the second time, O’Brien revealed, “I started writing a while ago. Ideas are like R.A.F. pilots in 1940. You have to generate a lot of them. A lot of them fall by the wayside, and then some endure. I can’t fake enjoyment. I need to find ways to make sure that I’m having a lot of fun. I need to prepare—I mean, I’m a big preparation person. I work with this brilliant team of writers who are just downstairs from where I’m doing this podcast, and they’re cranking away.”

As mentioned, “Conan” came to an end on TBS in 2021 after 11 seasons. It was O’Brien’s decision to end the show. However, in the years since he left the talk show genre, much has changed. Recently, late-night host Stephen Colbert saw his highly rated show canceled, and it is now set to end in May 2026. The kicker is, it isn’t just Colbert’s show being canceled; it’s the long-running “Late Show,” which is concluding after 29 years.

Regarding daytime TV, “Sherri,” hosted by Sherri Shepherd, was recently canceled after four seasons. “The Kelly Clarkson Show” is also ending; however, the decision was made by the host herself. For many, O’Brien’s comments come at a time when the future of talk shows, especially late-night options, may be bleak.

O’Brien has done quite a bit of voiceover work throughout his career. This includes “The LEGO Batman Movie” and “The Mitchells vs The Machines.” Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, one of his latest projects finds him teaming up with Tim Allen for “Toy Story 5.”

In it, he will play the character Smarty Pants, described as a “potty training toy.” He said in a video, “These films are amazing. I can’t believe this. It’s the best character of them all.” The cast for “Toy Story 5” also includes Tom Hanks, Anna Faris, Joan Cusack, Annie Potts, and Greta Lee.

According to NPR, O’Brien was announced as the host of the 98th Academy Awards in March 2026. Regarding having him return to host the ceremony, The Academy said in a statement, “Conan was the perfect host – skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth, and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”

O’Brien then joked about being asked to return, saying, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.” Notably, Adrien Brody, who won best actor in 2025 for The Brutalist, broke the record for the longest Oscars speech.

The Oscars will air on ABC on March 15 and stream on Hulu.