After going off the air for several months, comedian and talk show host Conan O’Brien‘s titular Conan program returns to TBS this week. The longest-serving late night talk show host in American TV history, O’Brien’s hiatus allowed him and his Team Coco to produce another Conan Without Borders special, a podcast and many other comedy goodies. Now that Conan is back, however, it’s time for the host to introduce the program’s brand new look and format.
Conan O’Brien returns to late night
O’Brien brought the previous version of his self-titled talk show to a close in early October 2018, when former show writer-turned-guest Deon Cole appeared on the program to wish everyone at Team Coco the best. Following the recent premieres and cancellations of several other late night shows and the popularity of other series’ virality-focused, shorter formats, O’Brien and company decided to take a break so that they could retool Conan and adjust to these trends.
On Tuesday, Jan. 22, that’s exactly what audiences at home are going to see when Conan returns for its ninth season at TBS. The new version will last only half an hour, like cable competitors The Daily Show, Full Frontal and Last Week Tonight. Aside from cutting into the traditional hourlong format, however, the new Conan will also boast a brand new stage, no house band and a greater emphasis on stand-up comedy, sketches and bits.
Who’s on Conan O’Brien’s new show this week?
To kick things off, O’Brien’s longtime friend and frequent guest Tom Hanks will appear on Tuesday’s program. Wednesday will see O’Brien hanging out with the cast of NBC’s The Good Place (Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D’Arcy Carden and Manny Jacinto), while Thursday’s episode will feature former Saturday Night Live player turned Barry actor Bill Hader.
Following the premiere week’s truncated schedule due to Monday’s Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, its second week on air will present viewers with the first full week of uninterrupted new episodes of Conan from Monday to Thursday night. Guests then include comedians Tig Notaro, Pete Holmes and Gary Gulman, actress Gina Rodriguez and actor Matt LeBlanc.
When does Conan return to TBS?
Conan premieres Jan. 22 at 11 p.m. ET on TBS.
