Conan O’Brien shouldn't have worked. Seriously. Back in 1993, when a gangly, pale writer with zero hosting experience walked onto the Late Night set to replace a legend like David Letterman, the reviews were basically a collection of polite ways to say "this guy is doomed." He was too nervous. His hair was too high. He did this weird string dance.
But then, something happened. He didn't quit. Instead, he leaned into the absolute absurdity of being a man who felt like he didn't belong on television.
Fast forward to 2026, and the landscape of tv shows with conan o brien isn't just a list of talk shows; it’s a roadmap of how to survive a shifting media world by being the smartest, silliest person in the room. From the "Masturbating Bear" days at NBC to his 2025-2026 stint hosting the Oscars and his travel epics on Max, Conan’s career is a masterclass in staying relevant when the old rules stop working.
The NBC Years: Late Night and the 12:35 AM Experiment
Honestly, the early days of Late Night with Conan O'Brien were pure chaos. Because the network didn't really expect him to last—they were literally giving him 13-week contracts at one point—Conan and his writers (including legends like Robert Smigel) did whatever they wanted.
They had "Clutch Cargo" interviews where a guest's mouth was superimposed onto a still photo. They had a "Year 2000" bit that they kept doing long after the year 2000 actually happened. It was surrealism disguised as a talk show. You’ve probably seen clips of Andy Richter, his trusty sidekick, who provided the perfect dry balance to Conan’s manic energy. This wasn't just a talk show; it was a clubhouse for people who found mainstream comedy a little too polished.
Then came the "Promotion."
In 2009, Conan finally got the keys to the kingdom: The Tonight Show. It was supposed to be the crowning achievement. Instead, it became one of the most famous disasters in TV history. The "Leno vs. Conan" war is still talked about in hushed tones by industry nerds. NBC tried to move Jay Leno back to 11:35 PM and push Conan to midnight. Conan said no. He walked away with a $45 million settlement and a legion of fans who called themselves "Team Coco."
The TBS Era and the Birth of a Travel Icon
When Conan moved to TBS in 2010 with the simply titled Conan, things felt different. The desk was still there, but the vibe was leaner. Over 11 seasons, he transitioned from a traditional host to something more mobile.
This is where Conan Without Borders changed the game.
He went to Cuba, Haiti, Korea, and Italy. He wasn't just doing "remotes" anymore; he was creating high-level documentaries where the joke was always on him. While other hosts stayed in their studios, Conan was getting a skin scrub in a Korean bathhouse or trying to learn how to be a Gaucho in Argentina. These specials proved that tv shows with conan o brien worked best when he was an outsider trying to make sense of a world that was just as weird as he was.
Life After the Desk: Conan O'Brien Must Go
A lot of people thought Conan would retire after he ended his TBS show in 2021. They were wrong. He basically just shifted gears into his "Imperial Phase." He sold his Team Coco media company to SiriusXM for $150 million, but the itch for the screen never went away.
In 2024, we got Conan O'Brien Must Go on Max.
🔗 Read more: The Post Malone Chemical Lyrics Meaning Most People Miss
It’s essentially the spiritual successor to his travel specials. In the first season, he hit Norway, Argentina, Thailand, and Ireland. The show works because it’s based on his podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. He visits fans he met on the pod, and the results are... uncomfortable. In the best way.
Why the New Format Hits Different
- Production Value: This isn't a low-budget vlog. It looks like a prestige HBO show.
- Jordan Schlansky: The "man with no human emotions" is back, and his interactions with Conan remain the peak of awkward comedy.
- The Second Season (2025): Conan headed to Spain, New Zealand, and Austria. Watching him try to sing with the Vienna Boys' Choir or navigate a flight simulator in Madrid is exactly what we needed.
As of early 2026, the show has already been renewed for a third season. It turns out that people don't actually care about the desk or the celebrity interviews. They just want to see a very tall man embarrass himself in a foreign country.
The Oscar Host and Beyond
One of the most surprising turns in recent years was Conan’s triumphant return to live hosting. After a decade of being the "alternative" guy, the Academy tapped him to host the 97th Oscars in 2025. It went so well—ratings were the highest they’d been in five years—that he was invited back for the 2026 ceremony.
He brought back a sense of "old school" hosting but kept the self-deprecation. He wasn't there to roast the actors to the point of cruelty; he was there to remind everyone that the whole spectacle is a bit ridiculous.
How to Watch the Best of Conan Today
If you’re looking to binge the best tv shows with conan o brien, here is the most efficient way to do it without getting lost in 30 years of archives.
Start with Conan O'Brien Must Go on Max. It’s the most modern version of his humor. If you want the classic stuff, search for the "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" archives on YouTube or the Team Coco website. The "Scraps" series they’ve released lately contains some of the best behind-the-scenes footage ever put to tape.
For the deep cuts, look for his writing credits on The Simpsons. Episodes like "Marge vs. the Monorail" are essentially Conan’s brain in cartoon form.
Basically, Conan survived because he stopped trying to be the host everyone wanted him to be and started being the weirdo he actually is. In an age of AI-generated content and hyper-polished influencers, that kind of authenticity is actually pretty rare.
To dive deeper into the Conan ecosystem, your best bet is to start with the "Ireland" episode of his Max series. It’s arguably the most "human" he’s ever been on camera, tracing his roots while still managed to get roasted by local farmers. From there, head over to the Team Coco YouTube channel to catch the classic remotes with Jordan Schlansky—they are essential viewing for understanding his dynamic. Finally, if you haven't listened to the podcast, start with the episodes featuring Dana Carvey or Jeff Goldblum; they capture the same energy as his best TV work but with more room to breathe.