Conan’s “Show Zero” claims shortest talk-show, taking record away from current “Late Night” employee?

Minutes ago, Conan O'Brien unveiled a sneak peek at his new TBS late-nighter, Conan, with something he called "Show Zero." When fans tuned in online, however, O'Brien surprised viewers by announcing that he'd be attempting to adapt to Internet viewing habits by hosting the shortest talk-show ever.

With Andy Richter, a member of his band and a small audience gathered inside a conference room at Conaco Productions offices on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, O'Brien welcomed The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons and New Jersey band Steel Train as his guests. And within a few minutes, it was all over and credits rolled.

Was it the shortest late-night talk-show ever, though?

In a Late Night coincidence, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon blogger Jon Friedman set the record — according to the URDB (Universal Record Database), which presided over Friedman's 3-minute, 41.45-second show on May 25, 2010, at Joe's Pub in New York City. Friedman welcomed announcer Mamrie Hart, house band The Defibulators, desk guest Joe Randazzo of The Onion and stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.

Watch them both. Here was Friedman's show:

 

And here was Conan's "Show Zero." Richter's announcement starts one minute in, and credits roll at the 3:53 mark, which would make Conan's effort about 48 seconds quicker.


 

Asked to comment, Jon Friedman said this to The Comic's Comic:

"It looks like I still have the record.  Although I wish I had a dancing taco."

 

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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One thought on “Conan’s “Show Zero” claims shortest talk-show, taking record away from current “Late Night” employee?

  1. I feel like Coca Cola missed an opportunity here. Shouldn’t “Show Zero” be sponsored by Coke Zero and not Diet Coke? I hope Jim in Marketing gets canned for this.

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