A DESK DRIVE THROUGH FIVE YEARS OF LATE NIGHT By Robin Banks
LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN IN 1993
May 3 NBC parade 29 year-old Conan Christopher O'Brien to a packed press conference in Rockefeller Plaza's Rainbow Room as the new host of Late Night. In response to a journalist's question that referred to him as a "virtual unknown," Conan corrected him, "No, sir, I am a complete unknown."
September 13, Show #1: Late Night with Conan O'Brien made it's debut. Guests were John Goodman, Drew Barrymore and Tony Randall. "He's best known as Norm on 'Cheers'" George Wendt also appeared, leg-wrestling with John Goodman. Conan concluded his debut by singing "Edelweiss".
September 14, Show #2: Radiohead are the first of many bands to make their American TV debuts on Late Night. President William Jefferson Clinton makes his first appearance live via satellite to talk to Conan. "NEE-HA!"
November 1, Show #36: A giant cinder block lands on the head of former NYC Mayor Ed Koch, the first of many blows to the head for him. Ain't he too sweet to keep coming back for more!?!
November 25, Show #54: The Kiss-Ass Turkey makes his first annual appearance, laughing maniacally, sucking up to Conan during the conologue in an attempt to avoid becoming Conan's Thanksgiving dinner. Conan quickly realizes that "Nothing's that funny" and eventually lets the sycophantic bird off the hook, feeling sorry for him. Kiss-Ass Turkey leaves shouting back at Conan: "Sucker!!"
Sometime in early December: Conan licks his shoe on air... Krunkers!! Buffalo affiliate drops "Late Night."
December 22, show #73: Alec Baldwin starts a trend among guests suspecting that Conan and Andy are former gay lovers. Also guesting are Charlie Rose and Five Blind Boys of Alabama.
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