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At Montclair Film Fundraiser, Conan O’Brien Urges Stephen Colbert to Embrace Post–Late Show Future

His message framed late-night as one path to audiences, not a destination.

Overview

  • The pair held a live conversation in Newark’s NJPAC for Montclair Film’s annual fundraiser, which sold out; Evelyn Colbert leads the nonprofit’s board.
  • O’Brien, who ended his nightly show in 2021, told Colbert that late-night is “just a way” to relate to people and predicted fulfilling work ahead.
  • He closed by praising Colbert — “There’s no better person I could be sharing the stage with right now” — and declared, “The world is your f**king oyster.”
  • Colbert expressed sadness about the contraction of the vaudeville-rooted late-night format, saying he loves the work yet worries about fewer places for that experience.
  • The Late Show remains scheduled to end in May 2026, following a July announcement tied to Colbert’s criticism of Paramount over a $16 million settlement involving Donald Trump during the proposed Skydance merger.