Worldwide audiences may not be familiar with Conan O'Brien. I first came across him through his guest appearances on John Stewart's syndicated comedy news programme The Daily Show when O'Brien shared the Comedy Central network with him. He's a lanky 'ginger' with an irreverent wit who hosts late night chat shows. A couple of years ago O'Brien was promoted from cable TV to take over NBC's prime time broadcast The Tonight Show (practically an American Institution), from the previous host Jay Leno. And all was well and ratings were up. Then, in a very public and humiliating turn of events, Jay Leno wanted his old job back...and NBC relented.
Although O'Brien was handsomely financially compensated, it left the comedian with a passion for entertaining without a job and under a legal obligation not to appear on TV for at least 6 months. The documentary Conan O'Brien - Can't Stop shows the behind the scenes of the live US tour that O'Brien put on to vent his frustrations and to feed his need to keep putting on a show.
It's an interesting insight into the pressures of TV, fame and touring an evolving variety show. It doesn't always portray O'Brien in a flattering light as he often comes across as egotistical, selfish and addicted to fame and attention...but it's probably not that different from that of any other live artist on a grueling tour. Fascinating.
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