Sometimes, a Positive Conan Quote Is All That’s Needed

I totally blame Conan O’Brien for me missing a post yesterday, but it was totally worth it, especially when it came down to Conan’s last, serious speech regarding his short time as the host of the Tonight Show. I’ll have more about this later, but for now, I think it honestly speaks for itself – especially the closing.

Before we end this rodeo, a few things need to be said. There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can’t say about NBC.

To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night show, and my brief run here onThe Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we’re going to go our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.

Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. I will fight anybody who says I don’t, but no one would.

But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not  regret a second. I’ve had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-Eleven parking lot, we’ll find a way to make it fun. We really will. I have no problems.

And…I don’t want to do it in a 7-Eleven parking lot.

And finally, I have to say something to our fans.

The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous  creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational. To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I’ll think about it for the rest of my life.

All I ask of is one thing, and I’m asking this particularly of young people that watch - please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”

See that? Even Conan endorses optimism. Thanks Conan. You’ll be missed.