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| If you're not sure, the white freckled guy's the cure |
Conan O'Brien has been and always will be my favorite TV personality (sorry Colbert.) I've been an avid fan since his Comedy Central days. Although I enjoy his recurring characters like Triumph and the masturbating bear, none of them can surpass the best character of them all: Conan himself. He's a unique comedy cocktail blend that belongs in a category by itself. He's like a cartoon character with his lanky figure, untamable hair, spontaneous gestures, fearless wit, and wild energy. He knows this too, as he often pokes fun of himself. Anyone else who attempted to copy cat his hosting style would ultimately fail and be deemed a pariah. It can't be done because there's only one
Conan O'Brien.
People might criticize his hosting style as rather weird and idiosyncratic...Now I could snap in his defense, "How dare you insult his excellence!" but I'm not because I happen to agree. However, I see that as a positive attribute, not a negative. It's part of the beauty of Conan; his unfailing ability to be silly. Those who put a negative label on words like weird and abnormal are just a bunch of bleating sheep, who can't fathom the idea of going against the crowd. I admit I sometimes fall victim to this
sheepish behavior when it pertains to my own life. It's easier to blend in with everyone; there's a lower risk of humiliation. Perhaps that's why I've always been more attracted to that comical, quirky side in people because it takes courage. Well, let me be honest, weird is good in doses. You don't want to embrace it like a madness or you might be spurned as a deranged,
creeper.
I could be having the worst day of my life, but if I were to watch a clip of Conan O'Brien, I would be in high spirits again. There's simply too many favorite bits for me too list them all but I'll He's generally amiable and mannerly on his show but my favorite Conan moments are when he unveils his darker side and delivers unto us "Mean Coco." He's the pretentious, self-important boss to his
employees. He's the cruel, hick-hating friend to
Jack McBrayer. His mock feud with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert is simply
legendary. And I enjoy nothing more than his petty quarrels with
Andy Richter. You can identify who he has a strong rapport with on his show, since it is with these people that bring out my favorite character in him. We don't see enough of mean Coco in my opinion, but maybe that's a good thing. It makes the rare occurrence all the more delightful and entertaining.
Aside from his goofy persona, he also regularly demonstrates charisma and humility that is unparalleled by other television personalities. His character was put to the real test 3 1/2 years ago in regarding to the whole Tonight Show debacle. I can easily go off on a ceaseless rant about this but I'll keep it concise for both our sakes. Awarding O'Brien the Tonight Show only to take it away from him after seven months was a tasteless, egotistical act by NBC and Leno. Conan deserved more respect. But Conan proved to us yet again with his heart-felt and admirable goodbye from the Tonight Show, that he is nothing but an inspiration and a real class
act.
