NEW YORK (AP) – A new prime-time special on TBS takes Conan O’Brien out of the studio, into wacky and at times uncomfortable situations – and that’s just how he likes it.
In “Conan To Go” which airs at 10 p.m. EST Thursday, O’Brien will be featured in some of his most popular, on-location “Conan” segments – including going to the American Girl store and sharing a Lyft ride with Kevin Hart and Ice Cube for a drive around LA.
“There’s nothing written about them. It’s just me going into situations and reacting honestly. I think that improv air comes through,” said O’Brien in a recent interview.
They’re also longer than most TV segments, some lasting approximately 10 minutes, which O’Brien says provides “room for awkwardness… I’ve always loved the comedy of the awkward pause or the awkward moment and you see people saying things to me that are kind of a compliment but also it has a double edge to it and you see me react like get momentarily sad.”
Letting the cameras roll and situations unwind is key, the 51-year-old said.