Conan O’Brien used his Television Academy Hall of Fame induction speech on Saturday night to honor Stephen Colbert as one of late night’s indispensable voices, predicting that Colbert’s best work is still ahead.
“Yes, late night television as we have known it since around 1950 is going to disappear, but those voices are not going anywhere,” O’Brien told Academy members in Los Angeles. “People like Stephen Colbert are too talented and too essential to go away. … Stephen is going to evolve and shine brighter than ever in a new format that he controls completely.”
The remarks came less than a month after CBS shocked the industry by canceling Colbert’s Late Show. O’Brien wrapped his own legendary 28-year career in late night in June 2021 and has only seen his star rise higher in the years since via his popular podcast, HBO Max travel series, and a very well-received stint hosting this year’s Oscars.
The former Late Night host was one of six honorees at the 27th annual Hall of Fame ceremony, alongside Ryan Murphy, Viola Davis, Henry Winkler, composer Mike Post, and director Don Mischer. He was inducted by longtime friend Lisa Kudrow, who dated O’Brien before either found fame.
True to form, O’Brien opened with a jab at the ceremony’s setting: “You know, people say that television is dying, but I want to ask you—if our industry really was in trouble, would we be gathered right now for our greatest night in a downtown Los Angeles Marriott? On a weekend? In August? No!”
He then turned reflective about the state of television: “Things are changing fast. I don’t claim to know the future of our beloved medium but I know this, getting the privilege to play around with an hour of television has been the great joy of my professional career.”
O’Brien acknowledged “the life we’ve all known for almost 80 years is undergoing seismic change,” but argued the core of television remains vital. “Streaming changes the pipeline, but the connection, the talent, the ideas that come into our homes, I think it’s as potent as ever, and we have proof here tonight.”
Closing on an optimistic note, O’Brien insisted that television will endure: “If the stories are good, if the performances are honest and inspire; if the people making it are brave and of good will, television will always prevail.”
Watch O’Brien’s full eleven-minute speech on the TV Academy’s web site.
Always will be Team Coco!
To not celebrate or even recognize Colbert’s 10th anniversary is a real slap in the face. Thanks Donald. What kind of person derives pleasure from depriving a well-deserving, beloved entertainer like Stephen Colbert the accolades he so rightfully deserves? A envious, selfish one.