Conan O’Brien Is a “53 Percent Optimist” About the Future of Comedy

Conan O’Brien said television comedy will keep changing, and the generous, year-round network writers’ rooms he knew early in his career are unlikely to return. Speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference, he argued that creative people will find new ways to work together and reach audiences.

Reflecting on 17 years at NBC, O’Brien recalled networks becoming more cost-conscious as competition from cable and other late-night shows grew. Asked about claims that late night is unprofitable, he did not give a direct yes or no; he called himself a “53 percent optimist” and pointed to the millions of comedy videos uploaded worldwide each day as evidence that new talent and formats will emerge.