The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour explained

Concert Tour Name:Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour
Artist:Conan O'Brien
Type:Comedy
Start Date:April 12, 2010
End Date:June 14, 2010
Number Of Shows:43 in North America

The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour, also known as the Prohibited Tour, was a comedy tour by American comedian and talk show host Conan O'Brien. Its title is a reference to the 2010 Tonight Show host and timeslot conflict, which resulted in O'Brien resigning from his position as host of The Tonight Show in January 2010. O'Brien reached a settlement with NBC that barred him from appearing on television until September 2010, but it did not bar him from performing before a live audience in a concert setting. From April through June 2010, O'Brien performed 43 shows in the United States and Canada.

O'Brien announced on March 11, 2010, via his Twitter account that he would embark on a 30-city live tour beginning April 12. Even with the unconventional marketing campaign of a single Twitter announcement, many locations sold out within hours of the tweet and additional shows were added on to meet demand.[1] During the tour, O'Brien announced that his new show, Conan, would debut on TBS in November 2010. A documentary following O'Brien during the tour, Conan O'Brien Can't Stop, was released in June 2011.

Background and announcement

See also: 2010 Tonight Show conflict. In January 2010, late-night talk show hosts Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno engaged in a public relations conflict over who should host The Tonight Show. Due to low ratings for The Jay Leno Show and The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, NBC announced a schedule change, moving Leno from 10:00 pm to 11:30 pm, and O'Brien from 11:30 pm to 12:05 am. This change resulted in a public outcry and public demonstrations largely in support of O'Brien.[2] [3] [4] [5] O'Brien indicated that he would quit his show and leave the network if NBC were to implement it, citing the "destruction" of the venerable franchise which had aired at or around 11:30 pm for over 60 years.[6]

As part of the deal between O'Brien and NBC, O'Brien was legally prohibited from appearing on television prior to September 1, 2010.[7] He began to utilize social media to remain engaged with his fan base.[8] O'Brien started a Twitter account on February 24, 2010.[9] After about one hour, O'Brien's subscriber list had reached over 30,000 members and, approximately 30 minutes later, he was on the brink of passing 50,000 followers.[10] [11] [12] After 24 hours, O'Brien had well over 300,000 followers.[13] In late May 2010, he surpassed the one million mark for number of Twitter followers.[14]

O'Brien announced via his Twitter account that he would embark on a 30-city live tour on March 11, 2010, beginning on April 12, 2010.[15] On the same day, teamcoco.com, an official website, was launched.[16] According to TMZ, O'Brien decided not to keep any of the proceeds from the tour, in order to employ his show's staff members.[17]

Format

Several members of O'Brien's staff joined him for the tour, including sidekick Andy Richter, and the former Tonight Show Band, temporarily renamed "The Legally Prohibited Band".[18] Max Weinberg, the band leader, was unable to participate in the tour due to his recent heart surgery,[19] although he did appear at one of the New York City shows.

Signs at each venue encouraged audience members using Twitter during the show to use a unique hashtag.[20] Reggie Watts served as the tour's opening act.[21] In the video introduction to the show, Conan appeared as an obese and bearded version of himself struggling to cope with the loss of his talk show while Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" plays. He then transforms back into his thin self during his exercise montage (by merely pulling off his body suit) after getting the call to go on tour.[22]

The tour differed from his television shows in that there was no desk or celebrity interviews, but presented as more of a variety show than a stand-up routine. Many elements from TV were incorporated into the show, including video bits, musical and comic performers, and cameo appearances by celebrities. Classic sketches were also revived for the tour, albeit under different names due to legal issues over the ownership rights. The Masturbating Bear, for example, made a brief appearance before being transformed into the Self-Pleasuring Panda.[23] Also, the "Walker, Texas Ranger lever" was retitled the "Chuck Norris Rural Policeman Handle".[24] Triumph the Insult Comic Dog mocked the city the tour was appearing in as himself in a prerecorded bit that inserts information about the city by dubbing over the original audio. O'Brien also introduced a giant inflatable bat he claimed to have purchased during Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell tour and at one point walked onstage wearing a replica of Eddie Murphy's purple suit from his comedy special Eddie Murphy Raw.[25] In addition, O'Brien performed music throughout the show, including the disco hit "I Will Survive" and a personal parody of "On the Road Again".[26]

Opening act

Special guests

Tour dates

DateCityCountryVenue
North America[54] [55]
April 12, 2010EugeneUnited StatesSilva Concert Hall
April 13, 2010VancouverCanadaOrpheum Theatre
April 14, 2010
April 16, 2010SpokaneUnited StatesINB Performing Arts Center
April 17, 2010EdmontonCanadaThe Venue at River Cree Casino
April 18, 2010SeattleUnited StatesMcCaw Hall
April 19, 2010
April 22, 2010San FranciscoNob Hill Masonic Center
April 23, 2010
April 24, 2010Universal CityGibson Amphitheatre
April 25, 2010
April 29, 2010San DiegoSan Diego Civic Theatre
April 30, 2010PhoenixDodge Theatre
May 1, 2010ParadisePearl Concert Theater
May 2, 2010
May 4, 2010RenoGrand Theatre
May 5, 2010San JoseEvent Center Arena
May 6, 2010SacramentoSacramento Memorial Auditorium
May 9, 2010BoulderMacky Auditorium
May 10, 2010DenverEllie Caulkins Opera House
May 13, 2010University ParkMcFarlin Memorial Auditorium
May 14, 2010AustinAustin Music Hall
May 15, 2010TulsaBrady Theater
May 16, 2010Kansas CityMidland Theatre
May 18, 2010MinneapolisOrpheum Theatre
May 19, 2010ChicagoChicago Theatre
May 20, 2010
May 21, 2010East LansingBreslin Student Events Center
May 22, 2010TorontoCanadaMassey Hall
May 24, 2010ColumbusUnited StatesValue City Arena
May 30, 2010Atlantic CityBorgata Event Center
June 1, 2010New York CityRadio City Music Hall
June 2, 2010
June 4, 2010BostonWang Theatre
June 5, 2010
June 6, 2010UncasvilleMohegan Sun Arena
June 7, 2010Upper Darby TownshipTower Theater
June 8, 2010Washington, D.C.DAR Constitution Hall
June 10, 2010NashvilleThird Man Records
June 11, 2010ManchesterComedy Theatre
June 12, 2010
June 14, 2010AtlantaFox Theatre
Festivals and other miscellaneous performancesThis show is a part of the "Bonnaroo Music Festival"[56]

Box office score data

VenueCityTickets sold / availableGross revenue
McCaw HallSeattle5,782 / 5,782 (100%)$328,770[57]
Nob Hill Masonic CenterSan Francisco6,003 / 6,003 (100%)$362,103[58]
Gibson AmphitheatreLos Angeles11,876 / 11,966 (99%)$685,543
Dodge TheatrePhoenix4,923 / 4,923 (100%)$270,346[59]
Grand TheatreReno1,830 / 1,830 (100%)$104,695[60]
Event Center ArenaSan Jose4,531 / 4,531 (100%)$267,495
McFarlin Memorial AuditoriumDallas2,422 / 2,422 (100%)$145,880
The Midland by AMCKansas City2,248 / 2,248 (100%)$127,396[61]
Orpheum TheatreMinneapolis2,515 / 2,515 (100%)$152,160[62]
Chicago TheatreChicago6,912 / 6,912 (100%)$364,468[63]
Radio City Music HallNew York City11,876 / 11,876 (100%)$871,641
Wang TheatreBoston7,084 / 7,122 (99%)$456,632[64]
Mohegan Sun ArenaUncasville, Connecticut5,276 / 6,020 (88%)$323,540[65]
Fox TheatreAtlanta4,533 / 4,533 (100%) $280,460
TOTAL77,811 / 78,683 (99%) $4,741,129

Response

Just hours before the first show of the tour, O'Brien announced that he would host a new show on cable station TBS, titled Conan, which debuted in November 2010.[66] In addition to the announcement of the television series, TBS also announced a one-hour TBS Special, featuring several writers for Conan, as well Watts.[67]

With ticket prices starting at $40, The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour sold out.[68] Footage of O'Brien's tour has been uploaded onto YouTube by fans in attendance and immediately went viral. A clip of O'Brien's performance of "I Will Survive", for example, has received more than 320,000 views.[69]

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop, a behind-the-scenes documentary film shot during the tour, was released in June 2011. It focuses on the production of the tour, O'Brien's interactions with fans and his crew, and O'Brien's thoughts on the Tonight Show conflict and legal injunction that inspired the tour. The movie was filmed, directed and produced by director Rodman Flender, a college friend of O'Brien.[70] [71]

Notes

Sarah Killen was chosen at random to be O'Brien's one follow on Twitter.[72]

O'Brien performed two shows at the Borgata on May 30, 2010.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Conan O'Brien coming to Chicago Theatre, tickets sell out immediately. Chicago Tribune. March 11, 2010. December 12, 2011.
  2. News: Jay Leno may regain 'Tonight Show' perch (Updated) . Los Angeles Times . January 7, 2010. June 28, 2010 .
  3. Access Hollywood article: "Jay Leno Heading Back To Late Night, Conan O’Brien Weighing Options".
  4. News: O'Brien Undone by His Media-Hopping Fans. Carter. Bill. January 24, 2010. The New York Times. January 26, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100128033202/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/25/business/media/25conan.html. January 28, 2010 . live.
  5. News: Stelter. Brian. In Leno vs. O'Brien, Fans Show Allegiance Online. The New York Times. January 14, 2010. C1. June 28, 2010.
  6. Web site: Citlali on Tue, January 19, 2010 – 14:14 . Conan O'Brien to quit if 'Tonight Show' rescheduled – 14 Jan 2010 . Abs-cbnnews.com . January 14, 2010 . October 25, 2011.
  7. News: ABC News. Conan's Payback: How Much Did O'Brien's Bugatti Stunt Cost NBC?. January 21, 2012. February 28, 2012.
  8. News: Conan O'Brien's New Gig: Post-Mass Media Phenomenon. Catharine P.. Taylor. March 11, 2010. April 2, 2012.
  9. Entertainment Weekly. Conan O'Brien's Twitter debut. Margaret. Lyons. February 25, 2010. February 28, 2012.
  10. News: Cnet. Conan joins Twitter, beats Leno in hours. Chris. Matyszczyk. February 24, 2010. February 29, 2012.
  11. News: Los Angeles Times. Conan O'Brien joins Twitter and doubles Jay Leno's follower count in two hours. February 24, 2010. February 28, 2012.
  12. News: Conan O'Brien Joins Twitter: New Account EXPLODES With Followers. The Huffington Post. February 24, 2010. October 13, 2010. Craig. Kanalley.
  13. News: Chicago Tribune. Conan, Ozzie and the Dalai Lama: Together on Twitter: For some celebrities, it's never too late to hop aboard the bandwagon. February 26, 2010. Rob. Manker. February 28, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20100306073029/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-talk-celebrities-on-twitter-0226-20100225%2C0%2C5349663.story. March 6, 2010. dead.
  14. News: USA Today. Tweet this: Conan reaches 1 million; Britney overtakes Ashton. Ann. Oldenburg. May 25, 2010. February 28, 2012.
  15. Web site: Conan O'Brien Announces Live Tour Across U.S., Canada . Sheila. Marikar. March 11, 2010. ABC News. Abcnews.go.com . February 26, 2011.
  16. Web site: Conan Launches TeamCoco.com to Promote 30-City Comedy Tour. . March 11, 2010. February 28, 2012.
  17. News: Conan's Tour — No Bread for the Redhead . TMZ.com . February 28, 2012.
  18. News: Conan a laugh riot at the packed Brady . . May 15, 2010 . February 29, 2012.
  19. News: Max Weinberg reveals he had open-heart surgery; Hollywood actors, then and now; and more. Melodie. Smith. . October 8, 2010. February 29, 2012.
  20. Web site: Conan O'Brien Hearts Social Media . Socialfresh.com . August 26, 2010 . February 29, 2012.
  21. News: Elber . Lynn . A high-energy O'Brien opens nationwide comedy tour . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230455/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9F275PG1.htm . dead . September 23, 2015 . BusinessWeek . April 13, 2010 . February 28, 2012.
  22. News: Conan O'Brien performs at TBS, TNT upfront . The Hollywood Reporter . May 19, 2010. February 28, 2012.
  23. News: Ditzian . Eric . Conan O'Brien's Live Tour: The Reviews Are In! – Music, Celebrity, Artist News . https://web.archive.org/web/20100416152723/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635997/20100413/story.jhtml . dead . April 16, 2010 . MTV . April 13, 2010 . February 28, 2012.
  24. News: Crisp . Scott . Dallas Is With CoCo . NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth . Nbcdfw.com . February 28, 2012.
  25. News: Markstrom . Serena . Conan O'Brien's Tour Opener: Special Guests, Jabs At NBC — Music, Celebrity, Artist News . https://web.archive.org/web/20110805203235/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635966/conan-obriens-tour-opener-special-guests-jabs-at-nbc.jhtml . dead . August 5, 2011 . MTV . April 13, 2010 . February 28, 2012.
  26. News: A high-energy O'Brien opens nationwide comedy tour . Lynn. Elber. Associated Press. the Seattle Times. April 12, 2010. February 29, 2012. Rolling Stone.
  27. Itzoff, Dave Always the Quick-Change Artist, From Skits to Songs to Stand-Ups The New York Times. May 28, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2013
  28. Web site: Brown . Lane . Conan's First Tour Stop: Triumph, Self-Pleasuring Pandas, and Spoon — Vulture . Nymag.com . April 13, 2010 . April 27, 2010.
  29. Web site: Goodbye, Vancouver... . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . April 14, 2010 . May 6, 2010.
  30. News: Brodeur . Nicole . Music & nightlife | Seattle says 'Happy birthday, Conan O'Brien' at McCaw Hall, April 18 . . April 19, 2010. April 27, 2010.
  31. News: Letkemann . Jessica . Pearl Jam duo joins Conan O'Brien on stage . Reuters . April 21, 2010 . February 28, 2012.
  32. Web site: San Francisco + Conan = Win . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . April 22, 2010 . May 6, 2010.
  33. Web site: I Left My FART In San Francisco (sorry, but it makes me laugh every time I say it) . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . April 23, 2010 . May 6, 2010.
  34. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Conan Back at NBC Universal (For Two Nights): "Bad Ideas Are Being Greenlit" Here . Deadline.com . April 25, 2010 . April 27, 2010.
  35. News: Conan O'Brien Confirms He's Not Moving Back to NY . Wonderwall . Wonderwall.msn.com . April 25, 2010 . February 28, 2012 . https://archive.today/20120719233439/http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/conan-obrien-confirms-hes-not-moving-back-to-ny-1548975.story . July 19, 2012 . dead .
  36. Web site: San Diego? More Like San DiegWHOA! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . April 30, 2010 . May 5, 2010.
  37. Web site: The cult of Conan O'Brien takes over Pearl in the Palms . . May 3, 2010. May 5, 2010.
  38. Web site: Beyond Cocodome! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . May 10, 2010 . May 11, 2010.
  39. Web site: We Kicked Some Serious DallASS Tonight, Y'all! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . May 13, 2010 . May 13, 2010.
  40. Web site: Putting the "Awe" in "Austin"! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . May 14, 2010. May 14, 2010.
  41. Web site: USA! USA! USA! USA! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . May 15, 2010 . May 15, 2010.
  42. Web site: Kansas City Video Madness! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . May 16, 2010 . May 16, 2010.
  43. Web site: Justin . Neal . Review: Conan O'Brien keeps it far from routine . Minneapolis Star-Tribune. May 19, 2010. May 19, 2010.
  44. News: Johnson . Steve . Chi-coco Cuckoo for Coco . Chicago Tribune . May 20, 2010 . May 20, 2010.
  45. Web site: Bleyaert . Aaron . Bye Bye Windy City! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . May 20, 2010 . May 21, 2010.
  46. Web site: Bleyaert . Aaron . THIS IS SPARTAAAAAA!!! (Okay, East Lansing. But Still) . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . May 21, 2010 . May 22, 2010.
  47. Web site: Conan Versus Colbert . Warming Glow . June 2, 2010 . June 2, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100605012620/http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2010/06/conan-versus-colbert . June 5, 2010 . dead .
  48. Web site: Bleyaert . Aaron . Thank You Radio City!! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website . Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . June 2, 2010 . June 3, 2010 . June 7, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100607032753/http://teamcoco.com/blog/thank-you-radio-city . dead .
  49. Web site: Bleyaert . Aaron . So Long, Beantown. . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . June 5, 2010. June 6, 2010.
  50. Web site: Bleyaert . Aaron . Hometown Hero! . Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website. Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. . June 4, 2010 . June 5, 2010.
  51. News: Conan O'Brien Triumphs at Tower Theatre. Diane. Cooney . Philly2Philly . June 12, 2010 . February 29, 2012.
  52. Web site: Conan O'Brien Jams With Jack White In Nashville: Comedian covers Radiohead, White Stripes during intimate concert. https://archive.today/20130129153453/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641315/conan-obrien-jams-with-jack-white-at-small-show-nashville.jhtml. dead. January 29, 2013. Gil. Kaufman. MTV.com. June 11, 2010. December 12, 2011.
  53. Web site: Ho . Rodney . Conan O'Brien gives Atlanta much love . . June 15, 2010 . June 15, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100617095255/http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2010/06/15/conan-obrien-gives-atlanta-much-love/ . June 17, 2010 . dead .
  54. Web site: Tour Dates: The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour. Live Music Blog. March 12, 2010. Justin. Ward. April 1, 2012.
  55. Web site: Conan O'Brien: The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour . Ouab.osu.edu . April 27, 2010.
  56. Doyle, Patrick. Conan O'Brien Lands Bonnaroo Punch Lines at Fest Debut. Rolling Stone. June 12, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2013
  57. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 19.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date May 15, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  58. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 20.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date May 22, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  59. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 21.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date May 29, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  60. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 24.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date June 19, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  61. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 25.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date June 26, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  62. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 22.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date June 5, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  63. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 23.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date June 12, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  64. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 27.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date July 10, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  65. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Volume 122, Issue 30.Billboard e5 Global Media, LLC. Post date July 31, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013
  66. News: How the Conan O'Brien-TBS Deal Happened. Bill . Carter. April 12, 2010. April 12, 2010. The New York Times.
  67. Web site: Andy Richter and Conan O'Brien Writers Team Up for One-Hour TBS Special . Turner Newsroom . May 26, 2010 . November 11, 2010.
  68. News: Conan O'Brien to Debut New Late-Night Show on TBS. April 12, 2010. Associated Press. FOX News. April 12, 2010.
  69. Web site: Conan Comedy Tour Clips Hit YouTube [VIDEOS]]. Brenna Ehrlich. April 14, 2010. April 15, 2010. Mashable.
  70. News: Conan in the Wilderness. Dave. Itzkoff. The New York Times . March 10, 2011. February 28, 2012.
  71. News: April . Castro . Associated Press . O'Brien Attends Premiere of Post-Tonight Show Doc . ABC News . Abcnews.go.com . March 13, 2011 . February 28, 2012.
  72. News: 'Tweeted' like queen by Conan. Jeane. MacIntosh. March 9, 2010. April 1, 2012. New York Post.

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