As he accepted one of this year's most prestigious honors from the Television Academy, comedian Conan O’Brien candidly addressed the audience about the current state of television. Speaking at the Television Academy Hall of Fame event held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in downtown LA Live, O’Brien acknowledged the palpable fear about the future of television. He remarked, “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.”
Despite these challenges, O’Brien expressed an optimistic viewpoint. He stated, “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.” He emphasized that while streaming services have altered the traditional pipeline of television production, the core elements—connection, talent, and creativity—remain intact. “We have proof here tonight,” he added, highlighting the successes of contemporary shows like “Abbott Elementary,” “Hacks,” and “I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson.”
O’Brien, who has spent nearly three decades in the late-night television landscape through shows such as “Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien,” and “Conan,” discussed the inevitable changes looming over this genre. He humorously noted, “For those of you under 40, late-night television was a service designed to distract college students until science would perfect the internet and online pornography. Boy, did they get that right.”
While acknowledging that traditional late-night television formats may soon fade away, O’Brien insisted that the voices of talented hosts will continue to resonate. He praised fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert, suggesting that Colbert will adapt and thrive in emerging formats, stating, “Stephen is going to evolve and shine brighter than ever in a new format that he controls completely.”
O’Brien further elaborated on the role of technology in the television landscape, humorously comparing it to a “high-protein, chewable, vanilla-flavored capsule with added fiber.” He asserted that regardless of how technology evolves, the essence of storytelling remains paramount: “It still won’t matter if the stories are good, if the performances are honest and inspired, if the people making it are brave and of goodwill.”
Reflecting on the significance of the TV Academy Hall of Fame award, which he shared with notable figures such as Viola Davis, Henry Winkler, Ryan Murphy, Mike Post, and Don Mischer, O’Brien stated, “This is the honor of a lifetime. It means everything to me. I’m stunned to be in this company. I don’t think I deserve it, but I’ll take it.” He humorously quoted his grandfather, saying, “Take what you can and ask for more. And I’m going to do that tonight.”
In a separate address at the same event, Ryan Murphy shared his concerns about the challenges facing the entertainment industry in today’s political climate. He expressed a sense of urgency, stating, “I always thought one thing: that if you fought hard and pushed these noisy and vibrant characters to the system, that would clear brush and make a path for others to follow behind.” However, he lamented that many of the rights and freedoms he fought for are now at risk. “I am pivoting to continue the good fight, which is to create more work featuring the disenfranchised and the ignored and the marginalized groups,” Murphy concluded.
As the entertainment industry navigates these turbulent times, both O’Brien and Murphy emphasize the importance of creativity, authenticity, and resilience in the face of change. Their words serve as a reminder that while the medium may evolve, the heart of storytelling will always endure.
