It looks like all Conan O’Brien had to do to be seen everywhere was to lose his TV show on NBC. The opening gig in his Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on TV Tour was a monster success with the Eugene newspaper the Register Guard lead article claiming “Loco for Coco”. This show came on the heels of a major announcement that Conan will be back on TV having signed a five year deal with TBS.
“You may have heard — I got a new job. Tomorrow I start as the new assistant manager at the Eugene Banana Republic. I’ll be in the corduroy section” Conan told the 2,500 plus crowd crammed into the Hult Center.
Andy Richter was along for the ride as well as his band from the Tonight Show. For long time Conan fans there was a roar when a certain bear made his return. O’Brien told the crowd that for now we will have to refer to the bear as the “Self-Pleasuring Panda”. According to those fortunate enough to get a ticket one of the highlights was when Conan took center stage with a guitar and performed his own version of the disco classic “I Will Survive”.
A version of this has made it up on Youtube (thanks CooCoo for Coco person with a video camera). Here is the video followed by the lyrics. We apologize for the quality. Not everything can be luxurious like Banana Republic corduroy.
At first I was afraid I was petrified
I didn’t know if I could make it without a talk show by my side
I spent oh so many nights thinking how they did me wrong
But I grew strong and my beard grew very long
They threw me out, yeah out fast
They said ‘Please don’t let the door hit your freckled Irish a**’
I hung around the house eating frosting from a jar
I got really into Gossip Girls and sleeping in my car
Yes I’ll survive I will survive
Yes they tried to almost kill me but I made it out alive
I’ve got all my life to live I’ve got SO many shows to give
Yes I’ll survive I will survive
And now I’m back in front of you
I’ve never done this kind of tour before I’m not sure what to do
I’ll do my very best to entertain you while I’m here
If I get nervous I’ll just loosen up with vicodin and beer
I’m here tonight with all of you
Yeah we shared a special evening and I’m sure I’ll see you soon
I really hate to leave you, you’ve been so nice to me
But we’ve got to clear this theater for the touring cast of Glee.
I’ll survive I will survive
No matter what they do to me I’ll make it out alive
I’ve got all my life to live I’ve got SO many shows to give
Yes I’ll survive I will survive
The next stop on the Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on TV Tour will be tonight in Vancouver. We just know Conan is going to crank up the Canada jokes.
