Conan O'Brien has finally weighed in on the future of late-night television following the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Last month, we learned the shocking news that CBS has decided to cancel Stephen Colbert's late-night talk show with plans to pull the plug by early next year. Since then, there has been a debate on whether this is a sign that the late-night TV business is nearing its demise and the possibility that the other shows in the genre might follow suit soon.
Is Conan O'Brien Predicting the Demise of Late-Night Television?
During his recent appearance at the Television Academy Hall of Fame event (via The Hollywood Reporter), O'Brien shared his thoughts about he current state of the late-night television business.
He started his speech with a joke about the television business in general: "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!"
O'Brien went on to weigh in about the potential demise of the late-night television business sooner rather than later.
"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," he said.
"We’re having this event now in a time when there’s a lot of fear about the future of television, and rightfully so. The life we’ve all known for almost 80 years is undergoing seismic change."
O'Brien continued, "But — this might just be my nature — I choose not to mourn what is lost, because I think in the most essential way what we have is not changing at all. 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."
What Does Conan O'Brien Think of the Cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert?
O'Brien also shared his reaction to the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he expressed his support for the host and belief that he won't be going away despite the fate of the show.
"Yes, late-night television as we have known it since around 1950 is going to disappear, but those voices are not going anywhere. People like Stephen Colbert are too talented and too essential to go away," he said.
"It’s not going to happen, he’s not going anywhere. Stephen is going to evolve and shine brighter than ever in a new format that he controls completely."
O'Brien also expressed his optimism that the TV business will continue "if the stories are good, if the performances are honest and inspire; if the people making it are brave and of good will."
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