Conan O’Brien Discusses The End Of His Show And Delivers Grim Prediction About The Future Of Talk Shows
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Comedian Conan O’Brien ended his long-running late-night talk show in 2021 after hosting it for 11 years. Of course, he also previously led “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “Late Night.” In more recent years, he’d adapted to a more flexible lifestyle while still delivering his brand of commentary. This includes a podcast, a travel show, and returning as host of the 2026 Academy Awards. Now, he’s opening up about the end of his show and where he believes the industry is going.
Conan O’Brien Says He Reaches More People With His Podcast
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O’Brien launched his podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” in 2018 after feeling that the format of his then-running talk show didn’t foster a sense of friendship with his guests. Now, in 2026, the podcast is still going strong, having won multiple podcast awards, including Best Interview/Talk Show at the People’s Voice Awards in 2023, per IMDb.
In February 2026, O’Brien spoke to The New Yorker about how much his life had changed since ending his show. He said, “I left my late-night show four years ago. I’ve had a wonderful time. I think I reach more people now, either through the podcast or doing the travel show.”
O’Brien continued, “I have all this freedom to be me in different ways, in different formats. There’s a lot of really beautiful opportunities, and I’ve been having a blast and getting to have types of interviews I never could have had in that old ‘You’re up in the attic’ format.”
He Says The Talk Show Genre Won’t Last Long
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O’Brien continued the interview, discussing where he thinks the talk-show space is headed and his upcoming gig as Oscars host. He said, “I mean, this old format is going away, but they’re being replaced by a multitude of other ways to connect with people and be funny, and be satirical, and be probing, and let your talent run wild—that in some ways are more freeing.”
Regarding preparing to host The Oscars for the second time, O’Brien revealed, “I started writing a while ago. Ideas are like R.A.F. pilots in 1940. You have to generate a lot of them. A lot of them fall by the wayside, and then some endure. I can’t fake enjoyment. I need to find ways to make sure that I’m having a lot of fun. I need to prepare—I mean, I’m a big preparation person. I work with this brilliant team of writers who are just downstairs from where I’m doing this podcast, and they’re cranking away.”
O’Brien’s Comments Come Amid Multiple Talk Show Cancellations
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As mentioned, “Conan” came to an end on TBS in 2021 after 11 seasons. It was O’Brien’s decision to end the show. However, in the years since he left the talk show genre, much has changed. Recently, late-night host Stephen Colbert saw his highly rated show canceled, and it is now set to end in May 2026. The kicker is, it isn’t just Colbert’s show being canceled; it’s the long-running “Late Show,” which is concluding after 29 years.
Regarding daytime TV, “Sherri,” hosted by Sherri Shepherd, was recently canceled after four seasons. “The Kelly Clarkson Show” is also ending; however, the decision was made by the host herself. For many, O’Brien’s comments come at a time when the future of talk shows, especially late-night options, may be bleak.
The Former Late-Night TV Host Will Appear In ‘Toy Story 5’
O’Brien has done quite a bit of voiceover work throughout his career. This includes “The LEGO Batman Movie” and “The Mitchells vs The Machines.” Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, one of his latest projects finds him teaming up with Tim Allen for “Toy Story 5.”
In it, he will play the character Smarty Pants, described as a “potty training toy.” He said in a video, “These films are amazing. I can’t believe this. It’s the best character of them all.” The cast for “Toy Story 5” also includes Tom Hanks, Anna Faris, Joan Cusack, Annie Potts, and Greta Lee.
According to NPR, O’Brien was announced as the host of the 98th Academy Awards in March 2026. Regarding having him return to host the ceremony, The Academy said in a statement, “Conan was the perfect host – skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth, and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”
O’Brien then joked about being asked to return, saying, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.” Notably, Adrien Brody, who won best actor in 2025 for The Brutalist, broke the record for the longest Oscars speech.
The Oscars will air on ABC on March 15 and stream on Hulu.
Comedian Conan O’Brien is opening up about the end of his talk show and revealing where he thinks the industry is going.
Jack White Clarifies His Misconstrued Comments About Taylor Swift’s Songwriting
Annie Lesser/imageSPACE / MEGA Jack White is speaking out after his recent comments about Taylor Swift’s lyrics and songwriting sparked online backlash. Social media users interpreted his words as a dig against the pop star, but White clarified that he was only describing his own songwriting preferences and not criticizing Swift’s work.
Jack White Doesn’t Like Writing Autobiographical Lyrics
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In an interview with The Guardian on March 8, White was asked about his songs and whether they are autobiographical in nature.
The former White Stripes member said in response that he doesn’t like doing that too much, adding, “Now it’s become very popular in the Taylor Swift way of pop singers writing about all of their publicly aired break-ups, which I don’t find interesting at all.”
He went on to explain that he finds writing about himself “boring” and doesn’t want to relive a “painful” moment in his life every time he hears a song tied to a particular moment in his life.
“I’m not going to put this important, painful thing that I went through out there for some idiot on the internet to stomp all over,” he added.
Online Users’ Reactions To The Musician’s Comments
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The backlash against White was almost immediate. Swifties defended their idol, and others disagreed with the musician’s opinion.
“Aren’t half the songs on the early White Stripes albums about his break-up with Meg?” one wrote, referring to Meg White, his former bandmate and ex-wife. The couple divorced in 2000, even before the White Stripes gained major recognition.
“Based on his career trajectory, most people don’t find his songwriting interesting at all,” one added.
Another user wrote, “Everyone does this. The only difference about Swift is that everyone cares more about who’s behind the song cause she’s big. But every love and breakup song is about someone. Everyone writes about what they’ve gone through!”
Jack White Clarified His Comments
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White took to social media to respond to the reaction to his comments about Swift’s songwriting. In a post that has since been deleted, per NME, the singer said that he’s only going to leave the post up for a day before he puts the issue to rest.
White said he didn’t say Swift’s music was boring. He was only discussing how he preferred to write music.
“What I was trying to sayi n an interview I did about poetry and lyric writing, was that I don’t find it interesting at all for ME to write about MYSELF in my own lyric writing and poetry because I think that it could be repetitive for ME to always write about and it could be uninteresting for people who listen to my music to delve into…”
Harry Styles Fans Left Devastated After Chaotic Netflix Event
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGAFans hoping to celebrate Harry Styles’ latest Netflix release instead found themselves frustrated and confused.
What was meant to be a special screening event quickly turned into a wave of online backlash after attendees claimed they received crucial location details barely an hour before the show began, leaving many scrambling to make it on time.
Harry Styles Fans Furious Over Last Minute Screening Details
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Excitement around a special screening tied to Harry Styles’ new Netflix project quickly turned sour when fans realized how little notice they had been given to attend.
The screening followed the singer’s recent “One Night Only” concert at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, where the former One Direction star performed songs from his latest album alongside fan favorites like “Golden” and “As It Was.”
Footage from the sold-out performance was later turned into a Netflix special released over the weekend. To mark the occasion, dedicated fans across the UK were invited to register their interest in attending exclusive screenings.
Those selected reportedly received official invitations on Saturday. At the events, guests were promised complimentary drinks, popcorn, and lanyards as part of the experience.
However, the rollout sparked outrage when many invitees discovered they had been given minimal notice about where to go.
According to fans, location details were emailed just about an hour before the screenings were scheduled to begin, leaving many unable to reach the venues in time.
Styles Supporters Vent Frustration Online
@SonyMusicUK @NetflixUK @HSHQ @Harry_Styles why did the original email for the screening of Ono state that the first people to sign up would receive invites, this hasn’t been the case at all, in fact people who applied hours later have received invites instead, can this be sorted pic.twitter.com/zOEVQb1xEX
— Caitlin🌊 (@Caitlin___0) March 7, 2026
The chaotic organization quickly spilled onto social media, where disappointed fans shared their anger and disbelief.
According to the Daily Mail, one frustrated attendee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “WHY WHY WHY would you send these email invites now?? HOW am I meant to get there within 20 mins? This is absolutely disgusting, I had been desperate to get to something for the Harry Ono event, I am so so so so upset right now.”
Another fan directed their criticism at the companies involved, writing, “@SonyMusicUK @HSHQ @netflix I’m sorry but is this some sick joke? First, you don’t follow the first certain amount to apply, choosing randomly, so there’s a lie. And now the cinemas are hardly full, your inviting random people of the street and sending out emails when the screening is in 20 minutes. Are you actually serious? so disappointing and what a sh-t show.”
Harry Styles Fans Left Puzzled By Event Invitations
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Other fans highlighted the lack of clear instructions about the event’s timing and venue.
One attendee commented, “
Legendary Singer Boy George Stuns Fans With His Latest Revelation About His Music
CAN/Capital Pictures / MEGABoy George is one of the most iconic names in music thanks to hits like “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me,” and “Time (Clock of the Heart).” Today, he remains fairly active, with public appearances, performances, and the recording of new music. Recently, the icon opened up about his thoughts on the use of artificial intelligence in the songwriting process and why he doesn’t think the public should be afraid of the technology.
Boy George Proudly Admits To Using AI In His Music
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George appeared on a March 2026 episode of “Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place.” While on the show, he discussed artificial intelligence and revealed that he actually uses it to aid in the songwriting process for his new music. The 64-year-old said, “I’ve written like, five albums already with AI… AI is brilliant. Nothing to fear.”
The Culture Club frontman then said, “I say to everyone, if you get replaced by a robot, you weren’t trying hard enough… Obviously, I care about people losing their jobs… But there’s so many great things.” He then named his song “I Am Iran” as an example, since it is written in Persian, a language George does not speak.
According to him, “Obviously I don’t sing in Persian… I don’t write as a Persian because obviously I’m not, so I write in a way that’s very British, and it translates so interestingly into Persian.”
The Singer Says He’s Ahead Of The Curve With AI
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George continued this line of conversation by revealing what he likes most about AI: that, in his opinion, it’s a collaborative effort rather than a replacement for art created by real people. The “Karma Chameleon” singer stated, “I have fantastic conversations with ChatGPT, and I’ll say, ‘Oh that [lyric is] crap, that’s not what I would say.’ You can train it.”
He added, “And my manager last night was saying, ‘You know you’re talking to someone in China.’ I was like, I couldn’t care less. I said, it doesn’t matter… An artist like me, they try to force you to work in an old-fashioned way. I’m ahead of them.”
Fans Are Reacting To The Revelation
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Of course, there are many dividing opinions surrounding the use of artificial intelligence. This is especially true in the creation of various forms of art. Because of this, many of his fans are reacting to his revelation, while others are simply happy to hear his voice.
One person said on YouTube, “George, I really love you, but AI is really bad for the environment.” Someone else addressed the host of the podcast, saying, “Also, Fearne? Let’s see how much of a bonus you would find living near a sprawling data center that doesn’t pay for its own water and electricity and instead puts it on your bill.”
The person continued, “Like, why is it so important and ‘modern’ to have this stuff replace our creativity, that it’s ok if people die from the delusions it helps them lean into? I find it SO sick and disheartening the way everyone around me
Quentin Tarantino Fires Back After Rosanna Arquette’s Explosive Claim
MEGAA new Hollywood feud appears to be brewing after actress Rosanna Arquette publicly criticized filmmaker Quentin Tarantino over his use of the N-word in his films.
The comments, which surfaced during a recent interview, quickly gained traction and sparked strong reactions across the entertainment world.
Tarantino has now responded directly, accusing the actress of seeking attention while defending both his work and the creative relationships behind one of his most famous movies.
Quentin Tarantino Slams Rosanna Arquette Over ‘Clout’ Accusation
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Quentin Tarantino did not hold back when addressing Arquette’s criticism, suggesting her comments were more about publicity than genuine concern.
The filmmaker released a statement responding to the actress’s remarks about his writing choices in the 1994 crime classic “Pulp Fiction,” where Arquette appeared in a supporting role.
Referencing the intense media attention her comments received, Tarantino wrote per Variety, “Dear Rosanna, I hope the publicity you’re getting from 132 different media outlets writing your name and printing your picture was worth disrespecting me and a film I remember quite clearly you were thrilled to be a part of?”
The director also expressed frustration that the criticism surfaced decades after the movie’s release.
In his response, Tarantino suggested the actress’s decision to revisit the issue now felt disingenuous.
“Do you feel this way now? Very possibly,” he wrote. However, he also made it clear he believed the timing of her remarks was questionable.
Tarantino Calls Out Arquette For Criticizing Film Decades Later
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One of Quentin Tarantino’s biggest frustrations appeared to be the fact that Arquette participated in the film but is only now condemning it publicly.
The actress played Jody, the wife of drug dealer Lance, a character portrayed by Eric Stoltz, in the iconic movie.
In his statement, Tarantino suggested Arquette had willingly taken the role at the time but was now attacking the project for “very cynical reasons.”
He continued his criticism by writing that accepting the job and payment before later condemning the film showed “a decided lack of class, no less honor.”
Tarantino also referenced the concept of “esprit de corps,” a phrase describing the shared loyalty and spirit among colleagues working toward a common goal.
According to him, that sense of unity should exist among artists who collaborate on creative projects. In his view, Arquette’s comments ran counter to that expectation.
What Rosanna Arquette Said About The Director’s Use Of The N-Word In His Movies
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Arquette originally sparked controversy during an interview with The Sunday Times while reflecting on “Pulp Fiction.”
Although she praised the film’s cultural impact, she expressed discomfort with the repeated use of a racial slur in the script.
She acknowledged the movie’s legacy, calling it “iconic” and “a great film on a lot of levels,” but made it clear s
Gwen Stefani Reflects On Spiritual Awakening Before Giving Birth At 44
MEGAGwen Stefani is reflecting on a deeply personal moment in her life. The singer, who grew up in a Catholic household, spoke about her spiritual awakening before welcoming her youngest son, Apollo. She gave birth at 44, a moment she calls a “miracle” that strengthened her faith.
Gwen Stefani Wanted Another Son
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In March, Stefani had a conversation with Jeff Cavins for the “Hallow: Prayer & Meditation” YouTube channel, where she talked about her upbringing and her faith.
As the singer shared, she grew up in a Catholic household, although her family practiced the faith in a more relaxed manner. She talked about her spiritual awakening that happened in her 40s after discussing the Torah with a former “atheist Jew” from Israel who converted to her religion.
Stefani said that as she talked about the Torah with the man, it was “waking her up.”
Stefani, who was 43 years old around that time in 2013, was “desperate” to have another baby but knew that she was “too old.” She had already given birth to her eldest son, Kingston, in 2006 and welcomed a second son, Zuma, in 2008.
The Singer’s Son Wanted Another Sibling
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Right about the same time, her eldest son told her that he wanted to have another sibling, but she said, “I’m sorry, you mommy is too old to have a baby.”
However, that didn’t deter Kingston from praying night after night for another sibling. “He was doing it every night, and I never asked him to do that. Never taught him that, really.” Stefani shared. About four weeks later, she learned that she was pregnant.
The singer and her then-husband, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, welcomed their third son, Apollo Bowie Flynn, on February 28, 2014. Stefani shared that she was 44 years old when she gave birth to her youngest child, and she delivered him naturally. “Totally a full-on gift. And that was the first miracle,” she added.
Gwen Stefani Relied On Faith Through Her Divorce
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Stefani and Rossdale were together for 20 years, 13 of those years as husband and wife. The No Doubt singer filed for divorce in 2015, citing irreconcilable differences. The process was finalized the following year. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that the marriage was annulled by the Catholic church.
The annulment was important to Stefani, as she couldn’t get married in a Catholic church without her marriage to Rossdale being declared null and void. “It was a huge relief for Gwen because she wanted to get married by her priest and have the marriage recognized by the Catholic church,” an insider told Us Weekly in 2021.
Regarding her split with Rossdale, Stefani said, “I was turning to my faith right away.” The singer knew that her divorce had happened for a reason, and she chose to focus on her purpose in life.
The Singer Opened Up About Receiving Love From Blake Shelton
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Stefani and country superstar Blake Shelton started dating