Saturday, January 23, 2010

Conan Takes the High Road

Nattering nabobs of negativity will say that Conan can afford to take the high road with $32 million in his pocket.

They'll say it's part of the deal he made. They'll say that he can spout bumper sticker philosophies like "don't be cynical" all he wants, but when you're in his shoes, you can afford to be gracious.

Hank Stuever in the Washington Post joked that Conan was aiming for Oprah's job when he urged fans to take the high road with him:

I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you, amazing things will happen.

But it doesn't matter that he walked away with a huge payday. He could have said anything he wanted. He could have ripped Leno. He could have criticized NBC. He could have been caustic and bitter.

But instead, he's grateful for what he's had, and grateful for the opportunities he has received.

I'm trying to figure out how to embed the video into this post; but for now, here's the link to Coco's gracious exit speech.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

JRO: I loved it. It was also a good lesson to our little people.

Unknown said...

J-Ro: I agree. Two of my little people watched it with me on YouTube after the fact.

The 9-year-old is already cynical, so it's too late for her.

Anonymous said...

I miss my CoCo -
Don't Go-Go,CoCo ....and yes, I'm sure he misses me too! Anyway you look at it - they stiffed my COCO. They hung a carrot in front of him for 5 years and then 7 months in, they take it away. It doesn't get lower then that! I pray he stays on net work T.V. and not Cable.
Coco is my kind of funny! Mrs. D'Onofrio

Unknown said...

I know, Mrs. D. I know. You'll just have to switch to Letterman, who's funnier anyway.