In a series of events that became known as the “second Late Night war”, Conan O’Brien was forced to retire from his dream job as host of The Tonight Show in January 2010, six months after succeeding Jay Leno. Suddenly, Leno was back at the helm and O’Brien was left nursing his anger… which became a source of energy for a nation-wide comedy tour. The experience was documented by Rodman Flender, following O’Brien and his team (including Andy Richter) as they prepare for the tour and then travel the country on a grueling schedule of 42 shows. Reminiscent of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010), another doc featuring a fiercely dedicated comedian, this one is very entertaining, but we see too little of Conan’s feelings behind the mask.
2011-U.S. 89 min. Color. Directed, photographed and edited by Rodman Flender.
Trivia: Appearances are made by Jack Black, Jim Carrey, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Jon Hamm, Jack White, Eddie Vedder, among others.
