Conan O'Brien Injured, Tonight Show Cancelled

The story going around that Conan O'Brien was injured during the taping of Friday's "The Tonight Show" resulting in a re-run being aired is true. It seems that Conan O'Brien was injured doing a stunt for the show. NBC has released few details, according to the New York Daily News, but it is known that Conan O'Brien suffered a head injury. It is not known exactly how he received the injury but it is known that it has not affected his sense of humor (or lack thereof, depending on one's view).

In a statement issued through NBC, O'Brien said, "Last thing I remember I was enjoying the play with Mrs. Lincoln, and the next thing I knew I was in bed being served cookies and juice."

(Aside: Who drinks juice with their cookies? And a post-Civil War joke? It's jokes like that that make one wonder if the 46-year-old comedian might have actually heard a truly funny joke and the trauma of the acknowledgment made his head spin...)

The extent of O'Brien's injury is not known. Reportedly, the injured Conan O'Brien will be able to host Monday's "The Tonight Show."

Audiences were treated to a repeat of an episode with Jeremy Piven of "Entourage" and mercury poisoning fame. What the audience missed was an episode that would have included Teri Hatcher of "Desperate Housewives" and "Family Guy" creator Seth McFarlane. People will have to wait for another interview to find out what future Seth McFarlane's role will be on ABC's new drama "Flash Forward." Seth McFarlane also debuts a new animated show this season with "Family Guy" spin-off "The Cleveland Show."

But the biggest disappointment of the show being cancelled and perhaps never rescheduled is that musical guests Rodrigo y Gabriela. For those unfamiliar with the duo's work, just check them out on YouTube. There are numerous videos of their fabulous performances there. Rodrigo y Gabriela specialize in a dueling harmonic style of acoustic guitar playing that is first class. Their live rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" has been viewed over 4.4 million times. A lively performance of "Diablo Rojo" on "The Late Show with David Letterman" has been viewed nearly 800,000 times.

Conan O'Brien being injured and having to halt production on the "Tonight Show" recalls his predecessor's extremely rare absences (besides vacations). O'Brien took over for Jay Leno on the "Tonight Show" in June. After 17 years, Jay Leno stepped down and took over a nightly 10 p.m. slot on NBC.

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Video of Rodrigo y Gabriela performing "Diablo Rojo" on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

Video of Rodrigo y Gabriela performing Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven."

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Sources:

"Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien," NBC Television
NYDailyNews.com
YouTube.com