Conan O'Brien is coming home. The legendary late-night TV host returns to the format that made him famous for one special night.
O'Brien walked away from late-night TV on his own terms when he ended Conan in 2021. Since then, he's becoming a successful podcast host, started a travel special, and done just about whatever else he wants in comedy.
On Tuesday, February 25, he comes back to late-night TV. O'Brien will make his Jimmy Kimmel Live! debut as the featured guest for the night's episode.
It's a bit surprising that O'Brien has never appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's show. The late-night wars are long a thing of the past, so hosts have frequently appeared on each other's programs.
But better late than never. O'Brien will be on the ABC late-night show to promote his upcoming gig as host of the Oscars. Given Kimmel's extensive history with the event, expect the two to share notes and maybe Kimmel can give O'Brien a few pointers on how to make things run smoothly.
Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel's shared history
Just because Conan O'Brien has never been on Jimmy Kimmel Live! doesn't mean the two comedians don't have a shared history. They've crossed paths before, and Kimmel even had a part to play in the Tonight Show debacle.
O'Brien interviewed Kimmel during the early days of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. Kimmel was on the 25th episode after allegedly inviting himself onto the podcast.
Years earlier, Kimmel famously appeared on Jay Leno's show and mocked him for sabotaging O'Brien's chance at Tonight Show success. Kimmel also went so far as to host an entire episode of his show in character as Leno.
Then, Kimmel revealed to Bill Maher that Leno almost became his late-night TV partner at ABC. After Leno and Kimmel talked, the latter agreed to move his show back and welcome Leno to the network. That never happened and any budding friendship between Kimmel and Leno ended.
It's all ancient history at this point, so it's unlikely the two will bring it up in 2025. Then again, neither has been shy about taking a shot at Leno when the opportunity presents itself.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC.