Conan O'Brien Chosen as Late Night Host

On April 26, 1993, Conan O'Brien was officially named the new host of Late Night, a pivotal moment in his career that marked his transition from a writer and producer to a television host. This decision followed David Letterman's announcement of his departure from the show, prompting executive producer Lorne Michaels to seek a suitable replacement. Initially, Michaels approached O'Brien with the intention of having him produce the show. However, O'Brien, represented by his agent Gavin Polone, expressed a strong desire to perform instead. To secure the role, O'Brien participated in a test audition on the stage of The Tonight Show. Despite the audition receiving lukewarm feedback from media commentators, O'Brien was ultimately selected as the new host. The news of his selection reached him while he was working on the episode 'Homer Goes to College' for The Simpsons. Negotiations ensued as Fox, O'Brien's then-current employer, initially resisted releasing him from his contract. However, a compromise was reached where NBC and O'Brien shared the costs to facilitate his exit. This moment not only reshaped O'Brien's career trajectory but also set the stage for his unique comedic style to flourish on Late Night, ultimately leading to a successful and influential run in late-night television.