'Hot Ones' Helped Conan O'Brien Realize Late-Night Shows Were Doomed

Having been a huge fan oflate-nightcomedy growing up, I think it really sucks to watch it die this slow, painful death.

Throw on an old Carson, and you'll see a fun, engaging interview that served as an escape and a great way to end the day.

Now, you've got Colbert and Kimmel whining and/or sobbing at you about how awful Trump is.

Learn More About The Ultimate College Hoops Experience

So, we all knew it was coming, and that includes one of the best to ever do it,Conan O'Brien.

However, the thing that tipped Conan off to the death of late-night is a little unexpected, and his revelation came a bit later than it did for the rest of us.

In a new interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, O'Brien said the YouTube interview showHot Onestipped him off to the fact that late-night was doomed.

"That was the moment the scales fell from my eyes," he said. "If a guy can do World Series numbers with overhead that looked, to me, to be about $600, and you have every big star lining up to do his show orChicken Shop Date… that’s when I profoundly understood that late-night shows are in trouble."

Conan O’Brien says Hot Ones exposed late night’s shaky future, highlighting soaring costs and shrinking audiences. (Getty Images)

I think that revelation may have come a bit earlier for him, honestly. The comedy great's appearance onHot Oneswas in 2024. That's a few years after he bowed out of late-night himself.

Source: The Latest & Most Breaking News With OutKick