Now Playing: Conan O’Brien Truly Cannot Stop

Like every other Conan O’Brien fan in the world, I was sad to see him leave ‘The Tonight Show’. While the whole debacle became speculation-filled chatter around water-coolers and news programs, O’Brien slipped into a very dark period of his life. The documentary ‘Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop’ takes you by the hand and walks you through the depressing post-‘Tonight Show’ life of O’Brien, showing you what it is like for him to lose his lifelong dream only four months after achieving it, and how laughter was the medicine that pulled him through.

Like the movie ‘Funny Peopletried to convey, some comics lead very dark lives. The one thing that could help Conan through this trial was making people laugh – except that he was contractually restricted by NBC from appearing online, in movies or on television. He was legally bound from taking the prescription that could cure him. So, he launched a 44-show nationwide touring live show called “Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television.”

Those who don’t like Conan O’Brien’s humor will be driven crazy by ‘Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop’. Literally, Conan cannot stop. He never stops joking. His humor is forever present – even when talking about the most serious subject matter. Picking on his assistant, staff and fans is a non-stop occurrence during the film. He always makes others feel uncomfortable. In other words, he is classic Conan.

‘Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop’ is not a revelation. It’s not world-changing. It’s simple a look at Conan’s sold-out live tour for those who couldn’t make it. It’s a serious look into the life of an entertainer who longs to make people laugh. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at a hilarious show filled with music, comedy and surprises. It is … Conan.

Rating: ★★★★☆

4 comments

  1. Mike Attebery

    Can we discuss his new show? Are any other fans REALLY disappointed with it? I’ve hung in there for 7 months (same amount of time he was on The Tonight Show), but I’m pretty much throwing in the towel. I can’t seem to find a place where fans will actually discuss what they really think of ‘Conan.’ I think it sucks.

    He never leaves the studio. The monologues and “bits” are the same night after night after night. It’s just boring and lazy to the extreme. He films on the Warner Brothers lot! Imagine the fun a young David Letterman would have had wandering around the lot everyday, shooting bits, crashing sets, catching celebs running between soundstages. Instead, the ‘Conan’ crew are just staying in their studio, night after night, week after week, never doing ANY remote bits. It’s just awful.

    I’ve already seen some of the same guests three or four times apiece too. Seth Rogen, Seth Green, Ice Cube, Reggie Watts. This show is just a depressing trainwreck. No, not a wreck. It just jumped the tracks and is stuck going nowhere.

    • Luke Hickman
      Author

      I don’t get to catch it often, but I’ve always liked what I’ve seen. True, I’ve never seen them leave the studio with the endless possibilities that lie outside, but it’s never NOT funny.

      Your points are valid and only prove why you need to see Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop. It’s classic Conan completely unleashed and uncensored.

    • Luke Hickman
      Author

      I’m green with jealous envy because you got to see his show. The doc portrays it as being totally odd. Wish I could’ve been there!

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