Referred to as “the most cunning talk show around” by Entertainment Weekly, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” began its twelfth season on September 13, 2004. In addition to dominating the ratings in its time period, every aspect of “Late Night” has been praised in the media, from Conan himself (“modest, wry, self-effacing and demonstrably the most intelligent of the late-night comics,” The Washington Post) and the show’s comedy (“original and often breathtakingly silly,” said the New York Daily News), to the Max Weinberg Seven (“the best band in late-night TV,” said The Washington Post).

Since its debut in 1993, “Late Night” has attracted fans with its innovative comedy, including the sketches “In the Year 2000” and “If They Mated,” as well as “Clutch Cargo” or “The Lips,” wherein photos of scores of politicians and celebrities have appeared with someone else’s lips and voice doing the talking. Over the years, many other recurring comedy bits and characters including “Triumph the Insult Comic Dog,” “Pimpbot 5000” and “The Masturbating Bear” have gained loyal fans. The show has been nominated for Outstanding Variety Series for the past two years and O’Brien and the “Late Night” writers have been consistently nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series. The “Late Night” writing team have won numerous Writers Guild Awards for Best Writing.

“Late Night” also offers viewers an eclectic and entertaining mix of provocative guests. Like other talk shows, “Late Night” books A-List guests chatting up their latest blockbuster movies or hit television shows. The difference rests with O’Brien’s style. Dubbed “TV’s freshest talk show host” by Entertainment Weekly, O’Brien has been called “an able and quick-witted interviewer” by The New York Times.

In addition, in the crowded talk show universe, “Late Night” strives to offer viewers a different take on guests they won’t find elsewhere, such as Jim Carrey debuting clips from his new biopic “The Conan O’Brien Story” (in which he plays Conan), Martha Stewart enjoying some malt liquor and a bean burrito, “SNL” star Will Ferrell doing a complete segment as Robert Goulet or veteran newsman Sam Donaldson sharing the couch with Motley Crue.

From the beginning, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” has been the premiere venue for alternative music acts. In its seven-year run, the show has welcomed one of the most diverse and cutting-edge assortments of musical performers on network television. Visitors to the program include acts ranging from living legends and current hitmakers to underground sensations. In addition, “Late Night” boasts the network television debuts of superstar acts like Radiohead, Green Day, Sheryl Crow, Jewel and Barenaked Ladies, among many others.
Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of “Saturday Night Live” and Jeff Ross are the executive producers of “Late Night.” Allan Kartun directs and the show’s writing staff is led by head writer Mike Sweeney.