Lobster’s Off The Menu: Conan O’Brien Laments The Decline Of Writers’ Rooms

Conan O'Brien has warned that the decline of writers' rooms in the entertainment industry represents a "real problem" for comedians and creative professionals. Speaking at Bloomberg's Screentime event, the former Tonight Show host lamented that fewer opportunities exist for writers to work collaboratively in structured rooms, a setting he credits with shaping his own creative development early in his career.

O'Brien reflected on his formative years working in writers' rooms on shows including Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, where he said his early career flourished in what felt like his "happy place". His concerns are supported by data from the WGA West, which reported that 27% fewer writers were working in 2025 compared to 2022. Despite these troubling statistics, O'Brien expressed optimism, suggesting that "creative people will find a way to be creative" and that talented individuals will continue to profit from new collaborative opportunities.