The Truth Behind Conan O'Brien's Final Show on NBC: Dissecting the Expenditure Controversy
Conan O'Brien's final show on NBC, streamed on January 7, 2010, has been the subject of considerable online discussion and debate. Many mistakenly believe that O'Brien spent an astronomical amount of money, around 68 million dollars, on his last Tonight Show segment. However, the truth reveals a much simpler, albeit comedic, conclusion.
Understanding the Settlement and Final Show
Instead of 68 million dollars spent on his last show, Conan O'Brien received a settlement of roughly 32 million dollars from NBC when he left the network in 2010. This settlement was due to a disagreement over the hosting of national election coverage. The claim that 68 million dollars was spent on the final show itself is a mix-up of the settlement with the costs associated with the production and set-up of the final show on the network.
O'Brien's Strategic Final Stunts
.Contractually bound to fulfill his final week on the air, O'Brien ingeniously used this opportunity to set his sights on re-ingratiating himself with the audience and perhaps gaining a parting shot at NBC. There is strong evidence that his final stunts, claimed to cost millions, were actually much more economical, thanks to a bit of creative showmanship and some insider agreements. Let's delve deeper into how much each of these high-cost stunts actually amounted to.
Bugatti Veyron Mouse: A $1.5M Claim for Free Entertainment
On his final Wednesday show, O'Brien staged the appearance of a Bugatti Veyron dressed as a mouse and claiming a 1.5 million dollar cost for this "new character" from NBC. However, the truth is complex. Music licensing agreements would have made the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" relatively inexpensive to use, and the Petersen Automotive Museum lent the Bugatti for free. Therefore, the real cost to NBC may have been minimal, perhaps due to these existing agreements and the museum's collaboration.
The "Mink Snuggie" Derby Winner: A $4.8M Drama for a Free Horse
For his Thursday show, O'Brien introduced the 2009 Kentucky Derby-winning horse ldquo;Mine That Birdrdquo; wearing a mink snuggie. He claimed this was worth 4.8 million dollars. Again, this figure was likely inflated. Using a live horse for such an act would have higher rental and handling costs, but the key here is that the museum that lent the horse would likely receive a financial benefit or agreement from NBC for this appearance.
The Giant Ground Sloth: A 65M Illusion for a 5M Reality
On his final show, O'Brien presented a giant ground sloth fossil skeleton, claiming a cost of 65 million dollars. In reality, this cost was much lower. The fossil skeleton was borrowed from the Smithsonian Institution, and it was accompanied by a small hose and caviar. While the caviar and the painting were potentially more expensive, the overall cost of the fossil skeleton itself would be significantly less.
The Internet Backlash and O'Brien's Rebuttal
These extravagant claims triggered significant uproar and criticism online, with many questioning the authenticity and expense behind O'Brien's final show. However, in the final moments of the show, O'Brien dropped the mic and turned to his audience with a note of humor and relief: "It's not real!!!This statement was O'Brien's clever way of acknowledging the impact of the show and its potential longevity in the public imagination, while maintaining a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere.
Conan O'Brien's final show stands as a prime example of how far humor and clever marketing can go in entertaining and engaging a broad audience. While the reported costs were a mix of creative advertising and reality, the show's success and the public's interest in these extravagant stunts have undoubtedly impressed and impacted the realm of Late Night TV.
Conclusion: Conan O'Brien didn't literally spend 68 million dollars on his final show on NBC. Instead, the final expenditures were a mix of reality and a carefully crafted illusion, reinforcing the show's charm and its lasting impact on both the network and the public imagination.