5 ideas for Conan O’Brien’s new job

Posted by admin | Posted in Finance News | Posted on 14-01-2010

Conan calling it quits

Image from Wikimedia Commons.

There are a lot of different rumors flying around about what Conan O’Brien is going to do about this whole “Tonight Show,” Jay Leno debacle. TMZ, People Magazine and the New York Daily News are all reporting that Friday, Jan. 22, will likely be Conan O’Brien’s last day hosting “The Tonight Show.”

Sadly, the rumor also goes that Jay Leno will go back to hosting the show. That’s about as good an idea as robbing a payday loan store. Nonetheless, it appears as though Conan O’Brien will be moving on, and I have some ideas for how the entertainment industry could best make use of his talent.

5. Host another late-night show

I don’t know if there’s another late-night comedy show on the air right now that deserves Conan, but there have been rumors all along that Fox was trying to get Conan to work for them. Because Fox doesn’t currently have a late-night comedy/talk show, if Conan goes to Fox to host one, it would basically be a brand new show just for him. I think that would be appropriate and a great business decision for everyone.

4. Be a perpetual guest star

In Conan’s various roles as a guest star on comedies such as “30 Rock,” he always steals the show. While being a show host takes full advantage of his comedic ability, Conan has some serious acting chops. I would love it if he popped up periodically in several of my favorite shows. Plus this would give him a lot of freedom, and I think he’d like that.

3. Host of “Jeopardy”

Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Alex Trebec and I think he does a great job hosting “Jeopardy.” He as been doing a great job for 26 years. This brings me to my point. Alex Trebec is 69. Doesn’t he deserve to retire? I think Conan is smart enough to host “Jeopardy,” and I think his comedy would bring in a whole new crop of viewers.

2. Star in a brand new sitcom

I am always up for having more clever, hilarious sitcoms to love. Maybe “Two and a Half Men” could finally accept the fact that a 16-year-old is not a “half man,” and Conan’s show could have its time slot on CBS Mondays. I think he’d do great at a lot of different types of roles. Maybe he could be a zookeeper. How about a gym coach? Sticking with the school theme, he’d make a great principal. The important thing is to keep him in comedy.

1. “30 Rock” cast member

Conan O’Brien has been a guest star on just one episode of “30 Rock,” during season one. It was a show-stealing scene, between him and Liz Lemon. His brand of comedy is perfect for “30 Rock” and I think the backstory — that he and Liz dated for several years — is a great opportunity for comedy. Yes, working full-time for “30 Rock” would mean Conan would still work for NBC, but given that “30 Rock” is the funniest show on TV, perhaps he could get over it?

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