Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Filming on iPhones, stuffed animals as props: Stay-at-home orders change late-night TV

Late-night shows are recorded on iPhones, guests are joining via Zoom, and monologues are delivered without laughs from an audience. We speak with Matt O’Brien, head writer for “Conan."

By Madeleine Brand • Apr 14, 2020 • 1 min read

Most of the late-night TV shows are now back from their brief coronavirus hiatus with a much more minimalistic look. Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, and many other hosts are now broadcasting from their homes to comply with stay-at-home orders. There are no lavish sets, cushy in-person celebrity interviews, or highly produced field pieces.

Instead, shows are recorded on iPhones, guests are joining via Zoom, and monologues are delivered without laughs from an audience.

We talk about what it’s like to put on a late-night show now with Matt O’Brien, head writer for “Conan” on TBS. (Conan O’Brien and Matt O’Brien are not related.)

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Filming on iPhones, stuffed animals as props: Stay-at-home orders change late-night TV

Late-night shows are recorded on iPhones, guests are joining via Zoom, and monologues are delivered without laughs from an audience. We speak with Matt O’Brien, head writer for “Conan."

By Madeleine Brand • Apr 14, 2020 • 1 min read

Instead, shows are recorded on iPhones, guests are joining via Zoom, and monologues are delivered without laughs from an audience.

We talk about what it’s like to put on a late-night show now with Matt O’Brien, head writer for “Conan” on TBS. (Conan O’Brien and Matt O’Brien are not related.)

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Filming on iPhones, stuffed animals as props: Stay-at-home orders change late-night TV

Late-night shows are recorded on iPhones, guests are joining via Zoom, and monologues are delivered without laughs from an audience. We speak with Matt O’Brien, head writer for “Conan."

Share

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Filming on iPhones, stuffed animals as props: Stay-at-home orders change late-night TV

Late-night shows are recorded on iPhones, guests are joining via Zoom, and monologues are delivered without laughs from an audience. We speak with Matt O’Brien, head writer for “Conan."

Share