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Conan O'Brien's final "Tonight Show" aired Friday, and while much of it was funny and some was expensive, the show ended with heartfelt words from the long-time NBC host:

"Before we end this rodeo, a few things need to be said. There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we're going to go our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.

Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I've had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we'll find a way to make it fun.

And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.

To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

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Comments

[ilovemekons]

Conan has shown class throughout the mess created by the suits at NBC. Jay Leno has shown none and people now see him for who is he is. Leno hasn't been funny in a long time, to boot.

[whirledgonecrazy]

Class act Conan!

[thebookdoc]

What a ridiculously class act. Gets reamed and comes back as a pro.

[alienlovesong]

I wonder if people will flock to watch Jay as he proved that he's someone with a lot of money, a lot of cars, very little talent and obviously no life and definitely no class.

[emrogers]

Conan used to be differentwhen he started. Now, he's just like every other narcisisitic, self-indulgent out of touch performer. Get a freekin' grip Conan. Your life ain't that important that you had to complain about your bosses like a spoiled brat every night cuz you didn't get what you wanted. Whaaaa...they're making me get off the Tonight Show, whaaaaa, they're only giving me a gazillion dollars, whaaaa, whaaaa, whaaaa... Good grief. Go already.

[DeePDX]

5 years ago Conan was told that the Tonight Show was being passed to him from Jay Leno, just as Jay was given the mantle of host when Johnny Carson retired. What happened over the course of the two weeks showed more class and maturity on Conan's part than that of his employers at NBC. NBC gave Jay the courtesy of having 5 years to prepare to leave, then handed him a new tv show to lead into the Tonight Show that didn't do well in the ratings, but some how Conan was blamed for the poor ratings and was told he had to give up a job that had been a fixture on tv for 60 years.....

Wouldn't you put up a fight for something you really, really worked hard for? Conan had been heading Late Night for almost 16 years, and don't forget Jay Leno has ALOT of money, too. Did he really HAVE to come back to the Tonight Show, or was it him wanting more money? You tell me.

[DrDidLittle]

In my extraordinarily humble opinion, O'Biren was one of NBC's worst mistakes. He was never funny, except to duhs.

Bye bye.

P.S. He was right on one point, that this should be a happy occasion. It is, for me because he's gone, and for him because he's walking with 45 million bucks. No sympathy here for him, my dears. But if he gives half of it to Haiti, I'll respect him in the morning.

[jefferyhammonds]

Troll!

[NotEvenAmerican]

Being Australian, I have never really quite understood the cultural leanings towards these sorts of variety shows.

But really, what a guy! Rather than take a step back, he is taking the leap, and trusting that his work stands for itself. Clearly, it does. I just took a look at his first appearance as the host of the Late Show - Conan has respect from me.

In a world that is suffering from an overdose of cynicism right now, this bloke rocks.

[Newmom Lovelovelovelo]

Hello everyone! Can someone PLEASE explain to me what just happened? I have been very busy delivering a baby, and recovering from the pragnancy so I dont understand why I wont have any more Conan,.. I just love him and Jay Lenon,.. ok.. my only question is why didnt they just get rid of Jimmy Fallon, he is ok in SNL I guess,.. but he is seriously not funny for late night,.. ok.. it is a serious concern of mine,. really,. why not just let Jimmy Fallon go and, keep Conan pleeeeeaseee!!!

[maggiee]

Wow, you did miss something, didn't you. Jay bombed at 10, they wanted to put him back on at 11:05. Conan didn't want to move back to a later slot so...kaboom.

[N8tracks]

Conan didn't want his old job back, That would be hugely embarrassing.

[jhNY]

Might have been easier on the site's bandwidth if everybody who wanted to say "Conan is a class act" had just said 'yep' after the first commenter posted.

[BradleeA]

Conan = Classy & Funny
Leno = Not good at Comedy
NBC = Bad at being a network

[Uhhhhdel]

Dear Internet,

Conan is a class act. He could have been bitter but he wasn't. His words about not being cynical belong in a book of memorable quotes. Good luck to whatever he does next. And if I was Leno, I would be very scared about him going head to head with Conan.

[gillianb]

I agree that his most memorable comments were at the end:

"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

"Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

One phrase has really stuck with me ... "if you work really hard and ... you're kind ...!" That sorta describes him ... a "gentleman" in its basic sense. I hope that amazing things will happen for him.

[Jarin Udom]

Hahaha, "Dear Internet,"

[jslucer]

Pure Class!

[NelsonBig]

Bravo! Wonderful words.

[newyorkjoe]

O'Brien's grandiosity is simply remarkable. With everything that is going on in the world today, his narcissistic myopia is embarrassing to witness.

[mxt920]

I must say I find comments like this to be amusing. I've been watching Conan somewhat regularly for years, and have watched constantly since this whole late-night-battle erupted. Every night, Conan took a moment to talk about how he appreciates everyone rooting for him, but that they really don't need to worry about him, that in the long run he'll be fine, and that there are bigger things to worry about. He would then segue into a plug for Haiti relief donations, initially promoting the donation texts that went the Red Cross and later on promoting Ben Stiller's associated charity. On his farwell show he posted the info on screen before every single commercial break.

Conan has mined the situation for jokes and comedic bits on these last shows (which have been hilarious), but not once has he ever said anything to the effect of "poor me" or sought pity from anyone. This speech was a wonderful capstone not only to his brief run on the Tonight Show but, as he said, to his broadcasting career with NBC that has spanned over 20 years, and was a great way to thank the fans. I thought it was fantastic and a great way to wrap it up.

[DrDidLittle]

Jeez, you make it sound like he's some kind of martyr or something. Of course he isn't saying "poor me," he's extremely rich - for doing bad comedy. After reading your post, I have to ask, isn't idolatry a sin?

[Fenarkleman]

Conan is a classy act. So put that in your badda-boom and badda-bing it.

[apx]

Conan didn't ask this situation upon himself, ya know.

[emrogers]

No, but he asked for and gladly accepts the tens of millions NBC paid him until they did something he didn't like and then ripped them publicly. Class act? Classless.

[RC81]

I noticed that Jay Leno was neither mentioned directly or alluded to during that entire farewell speech. It was both a classy and smart call Conan. It no doubt would have brought on a round of jeers from the audience which would have completely sabotaged the intent of your message. Best of luck on your next gig!