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O’Brien ends ‘Tonight Show’ run in style

After a brief seven months into his dream job, ConanO’Brien said oodbye to the “The Toniht Show” Jan. 22. Itwas only 11 months earlier that O’Brien sined with NBCto host the beloved proram once hosted by leendaryfunny man Johnny Carson.

When it became clear that there would be a chanewithin the network, O’Brien famously said he would ratherleave the “The Toniht Show” than merely accept an aftermidniht slot on the network.

Essentially, he ot what he wished for and will bereplaced by Jay Leno, the former host of the “The TonihtShow.” NBC and O’Brien certainly had their differences,

  but O’Brien has insisted that despite their disputes, hethinks of NBC like a home and is proud of the time hespent at NBC.

Before workin for NBC on “Late Niht with ConanO’Brien” and the “The Toniht Show,” O’Brien wasemployed with FOX as a writer on “The Simpsons” from1991 to 1993. He also collaborated with “Saturday NihtLive” as a writer, where he was known affectionately as“Coco.”

Only a year ao, he sined off “Late Niht with ConanO’Brien” and after a 17-year relationship with NBC, he is

not only losin his show but also the rihts to his charac-ters and routines as part of his $45 million exit deal.

Ill thoughts aside, O’Brien delivered his nal show on Jan. 22 with an assortment of characters such as Will Ferrell

Steve Carell and Neil Youn.Young, who O’Brien credited as being the rst person tocall him when troubles with NBC and Leno became appar-ent, performed “Lon May You Run.”

One of the highlights of O’Brien’s nal appearance washis “exit interview” with Carell. It was a perfect conclu-sion as Carell lovinly said, “Anyone who has ever built anempire or chaned the world sat where you are riht now.It’s because they sat there, that they were able to do it.”

O’Brien quickly quipped, “OK, Steve, that’s just a linefrom ‘Up in the Air.’” Shortly after, in a symbolic move,Carell asked for O’Brien’s ID bade and promptly shred-ded it to pieces.

The end of the “The Toniht Show” was exactly as itshould have been because it was on O’Brien’s terms. Inhis nal moments, he took the stage with Ferrell, who waswieldin a cow bell, and Youn with the likes of Beck andZZ Top. With a uitar in hand, he performed a surprisecover of “Free Bird,” provin to o out in a powerful way.

What lies in the late niht future? Will “Toniht Show”fans foret the feud and embrace Jay once more with openarms? Or will they be so put off by the recent events thatthey cease to tune in?

Only ratins and time can tell what outcome the late-niht switch will have.

There are many indications that O’Brien may move onto another show. But one thin is for sure; O’Brien does not

want his fans to remain anry or cynical. He said, “I hatecynicism — for the record it’s my least favorite quality, andit doesn’t lead anywhere.

“Nobody in life ets exactly what they thouht theywere oin to et. But if you work really hard and you’rekind, amazin thins will happen. As proof, let’s make anamazin thin happen riht now,” O’Brien said.

 Just as O’Brien’s nal show said, “To be continued.”

ENTERTAINMENT  JANUARY 28, 2010PAgE 8, CAMPUS CARRIER

Nicole NesmithOpinions Editor

&tristaN harrisoN

Asst. Entertainment Editor

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The Berry Collee Moon gallery’s yearlonshowcase of alumni artwork has unveiled thephotoraphy of Owen Riley Jr. (C’80), a SouthCarolina-based artist and photojournalist.

Riley is currently a raduate student pursuin amaster of ne arts degree at Clemson University.

His award-winnin imaes have been usedto illustrate stories about politics, sportinevents and disasters and have been published innational, international and reional books.

The exhibition will continue to be on display inthe Moon gallery until Feb. 12 as part of a year-lon showcase of alumni artwork.

gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondaythrouh Friday or by appointment.

 drew whelchel,

Nbc.com

 Staff Photographer