At this point in time, Jordan Schlansky was being assembled in the lab

Proceeds to literally become the best talk show host ever

That suicide joke in the beginning is hilarious and really sets the tone for him.

You can tell because of his nervousness he holds back from continuing the joke, so proud of how far he has come and so quickly

Damn that suicide joke at the start definitely wouldn’t get aired on tv today

I’m guessing Sona was still floating in a basket in the middle of the atlantic at this point

I love how Conan didn’t change, he just got better

I graduated high school because of Conan. I would stay up late and do my homework until he came on. Seriously, it was the only thing that motivated me to do something productive until I earned the right to laugh my ass off. True story.

2036: This dude better be good as Conan O Brien.

His laugh is so high pitch and he's so nervous omg

Drew Barrymore is the best first episode guest you could have, easiest and kindest person to interview

I love how supportive the guests are. They are basically carrying him through it as best they can

You can tell Conan is nervous cause of that joker giggle he's keep letting out

His palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms were heavy; nervous, but on the surface he looked calm and ready.

Andy is the best person Conan could’ve gotten as sidekick. He’s hilarious.

From this to the longest-running late-night TV host and one of the most beloved comedians to this day. I actually never heard a single bad thing about this wonderful man. Letterman is inappropriate, Leno is a devil, Fallon is fake, Corden is an egoistical diva, Kimmel is not funny - but Conan stays STRONG. Let's go team Coco

So he was 30 here and looked 40, now he's 55 and looks 40.

If you look at his hands, at times, they were shaking. How far he’s come.

Man John Goodman deserves props for being so funny in this too. A good first guest for Conan to play off of.

Andy really was important right from the beginning, he seems to calm Conan down a bit, and he’s got his funny quirks right from episode one! 👏🔥

bruh they deadass posted the whole episode. this is why Conan is the best talk show host

Something tells me that he might have been under a lot of pressure...

Drew is a sweetheart, it seems like she was trying to help Conan through the interview.

It's insane how nervous he was, and how far he's come. He's a natural.

I still remember my dad saying Conan was awful and was so awkward on camera. From then on I watched just to root for Conan as the underdog.

somehow his hair got redder and his skin got whiter over the years...

His joke about starting on TV then only clawing into the club - he achieved that in a way by pedalling back into podcasting. Then the same thing, on getting the same guests - he got it now with Sona, Matt his crew and longform interviews! 😂 what a transformation ❤ I watch this video annually just to remind myself how much ive grown with him.

Mr. O'Brien has some potential. Hopefully he will succeed.

27 years later - Conan hasn’t aged a day and there still is not peace in the Middle East.

Conan is the nerd who is making all the nerds laugh at the nerd table. Jimmy Fallon is the nerd who is trying to hard to make the jocks laugh (and like him) at the cool kids table.

Wow I can’t believe it’s only been 5 years since Conan’s first episode!

The guests on Conan's first show really kept things cool and didn't make things awkward when they did get awkward lol.

conan in heaven: “was i a good talk show host?” God: *”No, you were the best”*

30 years later and he’s an icon. Man really did it despite the peoples judgement.

As I rapidly near my 40s, I want to share an impact Conan O'Brien had on my life and my mental health. I was born from first-generation immigrant parents. My parents struggled to make ends meet, gain proper citizenship, follow the letter of the law to a tee, and of course fight to put me through the 'best' public schooling taxes could buy, in a privileged, somewhat gated community. Back when I was in high-school, my humanities teacher made some reference to Conan O'Brien during her lesson. Being a somewhat novice to late night American television culture (and let me remind you kids, this was in the days before smartphones and Google even existed), back then I innocently raised my hand and asked who Conan O'Brien was. My teacher gave me one cynical look, and immediately ordered the student sitting behind me to smack me on the back of the head with their notebook. Next thing I know, I felt the back of my head make swift, stinging contact with the student's aluminum spiral binded 100 page notebook, while I felt all the heavily disapproving stares and comments from all the rest of the 22 or so students in my class who likely assumed I was culturally inept to belong in their country, let alone community. In hindsight it sounds ridiculous now but, back then I really believed I had committed a grave sin worthy of discipline low-key reminiscent to a teacher in a dictatorship disciplining me for not immediately acknowledging or respecting a reference to the current leader. All this to say, after watching this video, it finally dawned on me why my teacher acted in the manner she did that day. I had simply not recognized a such a great Late Night Talk Show legend in the making; Conan O'Brien, my sincerest apologies to you 🙇‍♂️🙏 may you live a long and healthy blessed life.❤

Didnt realize how tall he was. He was literally taller than everyone he walked by

Little did he know a special little Italian espresso loving stud would come into his life at some point

Tony Randall, "You must stick by your conciounce... artistic conciounce, such as it is... and do what amuses you... You're sticking by your guns. You're doing what you believe in, and you're bound to succeed." Some of THE best advice, EVER! Thank you, Mr Randall!

Tony Randall was the real MVP. He put Conan at ease very fast. That segment almost look like his latest TV interviews. And he was right: it has a lot of potential if he stick to his guns!

Proof that not only wine, but ginger also ages fine.

He looks so scared i've never heard him laugh like that.

Everyone was such a good sport for this. And it's honestly a really ridiculously funny episode.

I LOVED the bit when Tony Randall gave a sincere compliment to Conan, then jabbed him with "Not so great an honor as to be the first guest." and the whole group was part of the joke. They even made such a big deal out of Goodman being the first guest! Layers!

Who’s watching this now that Conan gave his farewell show? 💔😭

Conan is one of the only late night shows that I actually like

Amazing to see how nervous and anxious he was for the first episode and how comfortable and confident he became. Seasoned comic genius.

I didn't know Tony Randall, but what a great guest he was ❤ and he honestly told him "you're bound to succeed. I know it" and he wasn't wrong

Conan: *Breathes* Audience: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

They should play this back to him and get his reaction.

I remember watching this show after weeks and weeks of hype and seeing a very nervous but very funny host, and thinking he might be OK. The second night he came out, paused then said "Nobody told me I'd have to do this again". Brought down the house. And at that point I KNEW he'd be just fine.

I’m here after the podcast where Conan talked about his 30th Anniversary This segment is 30 years ago and we all know Conan cemented himself as a true legend and master… but for some reasons I still feel nervous for him when watching this 😂😂

little did he know he would go on to be the funniest late night show host EVER

Poor guy, 26 years later and he still hasn’t made it to high school

It's incredible how the intro perfectly exemplifies the style and tone that Conan and his team have continued to this day through multiple shows and formats. Great example of how to grow, evolve, and handle change without losing your identity and style. 👌

Went from a complete unknown to the GOAT of late night. Props to Lorne Michaels for believing in Conan and giving him the opportunity.

1993: when suicide jokes were no biggie.

He looks like he's talking to his crush for the first time

I sat around through the credits and noticed Bob Odenkirk there. Had no idea he was a writer for 2 years on the show.

John Goodman is a class act, such a great job carrying the interview.

It's weirdly comforting to see someone who's such a hero to me, who I idolize as much as Conan O'Brien being so incredibly nervous for his first show. His hands shaking so much, all of his nervous ticks, it's just so human.

Conan and Andy look like two kids who have worn their dads suits and created an imaginary show in their bedroom

Funny that he eventually landed his signature move “invisible strings pulling up pants”

I picture Tony Randall on his death bed saying quietly to Martin Short with his final breath, "Now it's your turn to bust Conan's balls on a regular basis." 😂

I love the fact that Andy Richter is still by his side, some almost 30 years later.

No one would dare to make suicide a comedy bit these days lol

7:49 Damn his hands were shaking so much! This guy would go on to be the greatest talkshow host of all time

I always found it really funny that the critics of this show complained about Conan O'Brien being nervous in this episode - did they really expect him to just casually walk in and be totally in control during his very first "Late Night" episode, when he by the way was also expected to immediately be as good as David Letterman? NOBODY is NOT nervous in that kind of situation.

1993: He seems confident and funny. He will do great. 2021: After the ending of the final episode we can agree that Conan actually did it. Made a great show with his brilliance and humor.

This is the most "90iest" thing i seen in my life

he was soooo nervous 😂😂the hand shaking at 7:50.

I love how hilarious John Goodman found the special effects technician

seeing his nervousness making me nervous

That high pitched nervous laugh...😂

I like how he asked John Goodman “How’s it goin’?” at the beginning of both of his segments. That was pretty cool.

16:57 I like how the audience laughed at the vitamin joke, yet that chewable Flintstone vitamin was literally my childhood vitamin XD

I'm here from the future to tell you that Yes, Conan lived up to letterman

His style is unique, no wonder he had a little bit of rough start. But still glad he kept going

32:45 “That’s the highest form of art. When you pander to your audience, that’s no good… You must stick by your conscience. Artistic conscience. Such as it is, and do what amuses you.” Such a great quote.

Who is here in September 2023, exactly 30 years after Conan’s first ever talk show episode?

it's crazy because you can tell how nervous he is, but he's still so natural within his delivery that it seems like he was made for this. I guess that's why he's probably the greatest of all time

My son was born 10 days before this first show. I watched the fist show after rocking him in my arms and finally getting him to sleep. Watching this again breaks my heart as life went flying by.

I love that he actually followed what Tony Randall said regarding doing what would amuse him

Andy had jokes from day 1! 😂😂😂 explains a lot of confusion I had as a kid.

And now I’m crying, me and my mom watched this show from the first episode till now and even after I moved out and started a family of my own we would talk the next day about the episode the night before. My mother died at 60 years old last month and it’s been something that I miss terribly. The song that he sings at the end is one my mom sang to me as a baby and always sang in the house. She also sang it her grandchildren every time she was around. I miss her terribly and will be watching the archives next year thinking about her every day. Thank you to anyone who read my emotional rant.

I love how he talks about a trademark gesture and almost 30 years later we all know it's the string dance.

after watching the episode of Conan's podcast recalling all details of how he landed this job, this is so much better!

Absolutely 90s talk show beginning, but showed his genius from the very start. From the best guests to the all-star team, he was destined to be the greatest of all talk shows. And still the funniest!

Little did they know, 25 years laters Andy would still be there

You could tell how nervous he was because he kept laughing at his own jokes and he kept fiddling with his hands lol

For Tony Randall to give him a piece of advice Conan has clearly stuck by since that day.....,just awesome. I remember watching this when it first aired and I've been a fan since. Conan is one of the few people in this world I know I would have trouble not crying if I met him. Saved my life. Thanks again Conan.

Remember watching this show....man, I can't believe it's been 30 years already! Thanks for literally thousands of laughs, Conan!

The best part about this was Conan flat out acknowledging the elephant in the room, knowing the pressure of being an unknown taking over for Dave.

Bet he didn’t expect to fill up an entire suitcase with garlic bread at olive gardens in the future, accompanied by a fake Italian robot

This first episode was very foretelling. And he even took Randall's advice, it seems, for better or worse.

The fact Conan's first guest is John Goodman is incredible. John is one of my favorite and most humble actors out there on what is likely the most humble night host. I hope Goodman can be on Conan's podcast. (If he hasn't already since I just discovered it.)

Its funny because u can tell his nervous when his voice gets high, he never does that anymore, im glad he made it that long

He is so nervous. Looks like he'll never last. But baby, look at him now. He's the best post letterman.

I still have this on the VHS tape from the night it originally ran....I do remember that nervous giggle. He's more self-assured here than I recalled.

"You must stick by your conscience, artistic conscience--such as it is--and do what amuses you!" It's clear Conan took that advice to heart to this day.

This is the most HD non HD video Ive ever seen. When I see older videos online I think... "TV wasn't that bad!" This is exactly what it looked like.