The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009)

It was with sadness and excitement that I sat down to watch the end of an era—if an era can be seven months. There is no doubt that Conan will land on his feet, but The Tonight Show will never be the same. Since June, I have come to count on Coco to be there end of my day. He never failed to make me forget whatever stress or drama filled the earlier hours. The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien was my time.

With class and humor, Conan, Andy, Max and Co. took the studio for one last hurrah and it was beautiful. Leading up to tonight’s show has been tumultuous ordeal filled with awesome guests (Pee-Wee!), hysterical bits, Twitter tracker, puppies dressed as kitties, and a concussion.

Tom Hanks was brilliant. With tempered humor, the two pals reminisced whilst sipping cream soda?!

Neil Young, looking completely the ICON he is, sang Long May You Run and I lost it. *sniffles*

The grand finale included Will Ferrell, Beck, and Ben Harper. Conan shredding the guitar alongside with the Stars and Stripes over his shoulder, Ferrell and the cowbell, ZZ Top… it was all surreal and so good. It was truly bittersweet.

Tonight’s episode won’t soon be forgotten, but amid all the fun—‘Dear Internet’ included—I remember one thing vividly: Conan’s goodbye. In it, there was no bitterness, no hate—not even disappointment. He spoke plainly of his relationship with the network, but this… is what strikes a chord:

“All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen.”

That, dear readers, is class. See you in September, Conando.