For Conan O’Brien, ‘Tonight’s’ the night

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‘Tonight Show’ transition

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June 1: TODAY's Sara Haines takes a look back at comedian Conan O'Brien's career as he prepares to take on his role as the host of "The Tonight Show."

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He's especially excited about taking advantage of all Universal Studios has to offer, including the tourist trams that circle the theme park area. "The first thing we have to do is screw with the tram," says O’Brien, who picked up a tip from Teri Hatcher, whose "Desperate Housewives" shoots on the same lot: Whenever he's in a funk, he just walks outside and waves at the tram, bringing screams from fans.

As for what does or doesn’t play at 11:30 p.m. as opposed to 12:30 a.m., O’Brien says it is all becoming moot. With DVRs, TiVo and on-demand computer streaming, he notes that people are watching shows at all hours of the day and night.

“What’s the most important thing for ‘The Tonight Show?' 'The Tonight Show' needs to be funny,” he says. “And I think if ‘The Tonight Show’ is really funny, you can experience it at 11:30 or you can watch it on your computer the next morning while you’re eating your oatmeal.”

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Helping him make the show funny will be old pal Andy Richter, who left “Late Night” in 2000. The comedian will be more of an announcer, less of an Ed McMahon-style sidekick on “Tonight,” with O’Brien planning on bringing him off the bench whenever it fits. O’Brien is also pulling bandleader Max Weinberg off the road, where the drummer is currently touring with Bruce Springsteen (Weinberg's son, Jay, will keep time for the Boss in his stead).

O’Brien’s familiar theme song will follow him to “Tonight,” but the Max Weinberg 7 will brighten it with a little new energy and zip. “You don’t change your theme in the middle of your career,” says O’Brien, who points out "Thanks For The Memories" remained the iconic theme of Bob Hope 60 years after the famous comedian introduced the song.

As for how he's adjusting to life in L.A. after years in New York, O’Brien says he doesn't know yet. He hit the ground running and has barely had any time to spend with his wife or their two young children in their new Brentwood home. "It has been a marathon," he says. "My wife says she can't wait until I get back on the air so we might see you more."

Bill Brioux’s “Night Watch: 50 Years of Late Night Television,” is due out this fall from Praeger Press.

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