Former late-night host and comedian Conan O’Brien spoke on the current state of late-night television, saying the format “is going to disappear.” His comments followed the announcement that “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” would end in 2026.
“People like Stephen Colbert are too talented, and too essential, to go away. It’s not going to happen. He’s not going anywhere,” O’Brien said in a speech at the Television Academy Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday. O’Brien said late-night figures will evolve into new formats.
The late-night television format has existed since 1949, with Faye Emerson widely acknowledged as the first host.