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|start_date = April 12, 2010
|start_date = April 12, 2010
|end_date = June 14, 2010
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|number_of_shows = 42 in North America
|number_of_shows = 43 in [[North America]]
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'''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 conflict|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 42 shows in the United States and Canada.
'''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 conflict|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-03-11/entertainment/chi-100311-conan-obrien-chicago-theatre_1_conan-o-brien-tonight-show-late-night-institution|title=Conan O'Brien coming to Chicago Theatre, tickets sell out immediately|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 11, 2010|accessdate=December 12, 2011}}</ref> During the tour, O'Brien announced that his new show, ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'', would debut on [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]] in November 2010. A documentary following O'Brien during the tour, ''[[Conan O'Brien Can't Stop]]'', was released in June 2011.
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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-03-11/entertainment/chi-100311-conan-obrien-chicago-theatre_1_conan-o-brien-tonight-show-late-night-institution|title=Conan O'Brien coming to Chicago Theatre, tickets sell out immediately|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 11, 2010|access-date=December 12, 2011}}</ref> During the tour, O'Brien announced that his new show, ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'', would debut on [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|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==
==Background and announcement==
{{see also|2010 Tonight Show conflict}}
{{see also|2010 Tonight Show conflict}}
[[File:I'm With Coco - Supporters.JPG|left|thumb|200px|O'Brien's supporters rally outside [[Universal Studios]] in Los Angeles|alt=A gathering crowd where some people wear orange and hold signs that say "I'm With Coco".]]
[[File:I'm With Coco - Supporters.JPG|left|thumb|200px|O'Brien's supporters rally outside [[Universal Studios]] in Los Angeles|alt=A gathering crowd where some people wear orange and hold signs that say "I'm With Coco".]]
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 12:00 am. This change resulted in a public outcry and public demonstrations largely in support of O'Brien.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/01/future-for-nbcs-the-jay-leno-show-is-up-in-the-air.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Jay Leno may regain 'Tonight Show' perch (Updated) | date=January 7, 2010| accessdate= June 28, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="access">''[[Access Hollywood]]'' article: "[http://www.accesshollywood.com/jay-leno-heading-back-to-late-night-conan-obrien-weighing-options_article_27490 Jay Leno Heading Back To Late Night, Conan O’Brien Weighing Options]".</ref><ref name="NYTConanSupport">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/25/business/media/25conan.html|title=O’Brien Undone by His Media-Hopping Fans|last=Carter|first=Bill|date=January 24, 2010|work=The New York Times|accessdate=January 26, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100128033202/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/25/business/media/25conan.html| archive-date= January 28, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=nytsupport>{{cite news|last=Stelter|first=Brian|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/arts/television/14fans.html|title=In Leno vs. O’Brien, Fans Show Allegiance Online|work=The New York Times|date=January 14, 2010|page=C1| accessdate=June 28, 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Citlali on Tue, January 19, 2010 – 14:14 |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/01/13/10/conan-obrien-quit-if-tonight-show-rescheduled |title=Conan O'Brien to quit if 'Tonight Show' rescheduled&nbsp;– 14&nbsp;Jan&nbsp;2010 |publisher=Abs-cbnnews.com |date=January 14, 2010 |accessdate=October 25, 2011}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/01/future-for-nbcs-the-jay-leno-show-is-up-in-the-air.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Jay Leno may regain 'Tonight Show' perch (Updated) | date=January 7, 2010| access-date= June 28, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="access">''[[Access Hollywood]]'' article: "[http://www.accesshollywood.com/jay-leno-heading-back-to-late-night-conan-obrien-weighing-options_article_27490 Jay Leno Heading Back To Late Night, Conan O’Brien Weighing Options]".</ref><ref name="NYTConanSupport">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/25/business/media/25conan.html|title=O'Brien Undone by His Media-Hopping Fans|last=Carter|first=Bill|date=January 24, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 26, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100128033202/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/25/business/media/25conan.html| archive-date= January 28, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=nytsupport>{{cite news|last=Stelter|first=Brian|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/arts/television/14fans.html|title=In Leno vs. O'Brien, Fans Show Allegiance Online|work=The New York Times|date=January 14, 2010|page=C1| access-date=June 28, 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Citlali on Tue, January 19, 2010 – 14:14 |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/01/13/10/conan-obrien-quit-if-tonight-show-rescheduled |title=Conan O'Brien to quit if 'Tonight Show' rescheduled&nbsp;– 14&nbsp;Jan&nbsp;2010 |publisher=Abs-cbnnews.com |date=January 14, 2010 |access-date=October 25, 2011}}</ref>


As part of the deal between O'Brien and NBC, O'Brien was legally prohibited from appearing on television prior to September 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[ABC News]]|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/nbc-confirms-deal-conan-obrien-speeds-nbc-show/story?id=9621682&page=2|title=Conan's Payback: How Much Did O'Brien's Bugatti Stunt Cost NBC?|date=January 21, 2012|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> He began to utilize [[social media]] to remain engaged with his fan base.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-43744993/conan-obriens-new-gig-post-mass-media-phenomenon/?tag=bnetdomain|title=Conan O'Brien's New Gig: Post-Mass Media Phenomenon|first=Catharine P.|last=Taylor|date=March 11, 2010|accessdate=April 2, 2012}}</ref> O'Brien started a Twitter account on February 24, 2010.<ref name="ewtwit">{{cite news|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/02/25/conan-obrien-twitter/|title=Conan O'Brien's Twitter debut|first=Margaret|last=Lyons|date=February 25, 2010|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref name="cnettwitter">{{cite news|publisher=[[Cnet]]|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10459535-71.html|title=Conan joins Twitter, beats Leno in hours|first=Chris|last=Matyszczyk|date=February 24, 2010|accessdate=February 29, 2012}}</ref><ref name="latwitter">{{cite news|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/02/conan-obrien-twitter-jay-leno.html|title=Conan O'Brien joins Twitter and doubles Jay Leno's follower count in two hours|date=February 24, 2010|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Conan O'Brien Joins Twitter: New Account EXPLODES With Followers|publisher=The Huffington Post|date=February 24, 2010|accessdate=October 13, 2010|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/24/conan-obrien-joins-twitte_n_475722.html|first=Craig|last=Kanalley}}</ref> After 24 hours, O'Brien had well over 300,000 followers.<ref name="chitwitter">{{cite news|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-talk-celebrities-on-twitter-0226-20100225,0,5349663.story|title=Conan, Ozzie and the Dalai Lama: Together on Twitter: For some celebrities, it's never too late to hop aboard the bandwagon|date=February 26, 2010|first=Rob|last=Manker|accessdate=February 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306073029/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-talk-celebrities-on-twitter-0226-20100225%2C0%2C5349663.story|archive-date=March 6, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In late May 2010, he surpassed the one million mark for number of Twitter followers.<ref name="1&nbsp;million twitter">{{cite news|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/05/tweet-this-conan-reaches-1-million-britney-overtakes-ashton-/1|title=Tweet this: Conan reaches 1 million; Britney overtakes Ashton|first=Ann|last=Oldenburg|date=May 25, 2010|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref>
As part of the deal between O'Brien and NBC, O'Brien was legally prohibited from appearing on television prior to September 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/nbc-confirms-deal-conan-obrien-speeds-nbc-show/story?id=9621682&page=2|title=Conan's Payback: How Much Did O'Brien's Bugatti Stunt Cost NBC?|date=January 21, 2012|access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref> He began to utilize [[social media]] to remain engaged with his fan base.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-43744993/conan-obriens-new-gig-post-mass-media-phenomenon/?tag=bnetdomain|title=Conan O'Brien's New Gig: Post-Mass Media Phenomenon|first=Catharine P.|last=Taylor|date=March 11, 2010|access-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> O'Brien started a Twitter account on February 24, 2010.<ref name="ewtwit">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/02/25/conan-obrien-twitter/|title=Conan O'Brien's Twitter debut|first=Margaret|last=Lyons|date=February 25, 2010|access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref name="cnettwitter">{{cite news|publisher=[[Cnet]]|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10459535-71.html|title=Conan joins Twitter, beats Leno in hours|first=Chris|last=Matyszczyk|date=February 24, 2010|access-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref><ref name="latwitter">{{cite news|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/02/conan-obrien-twitter-jay-leno.html|title=Conan O'Brien joins Twitter and doubles Jay Leno's follower count in two hours|date=February 24, 2010|access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Conan O'Brien Joins Twitter: New Account EXPLODES With Followers|work=The Huffington Post|date=February 24, 2010|access-date=October 13, 2010|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/24/conan-obrien-joins-twitte_n_475722.html|first=Craig|last=Kanalley}}</ref> After 24 hours, O'Brien had well over 300,000 followers.<ref name="chitwitter">{{cite news|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-talk-celebrities-on-twitter-0226-20100225,0,5349663.story|title=Conan, Ozzie and the Dalai Lama: Together on Twitter: For some celebrities, it's never too late to hop aboard the bandwagon|date=February 26, 2010|first=Rob|last=Manker|access-date=February 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306073029/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-talk-celebrities-on-twitter-0226-20100225%2C0%2C5349663.story|archive-date=March 6, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In late May 2010, he surpassed the one million mark for number of Twitter followers.<ref name="1&nbsp;million twitter">{{cite news|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/05/tweet-this-conan-reaches-1-million-britney-overtakes-ashton-/1|title=Tweet this: Conan reaches 1 million; Britney overtakes Ashton|first=Ann|last=Oldenburg|date=May 25, 2010|access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref>


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.<ref name=announce>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/conan-obrien-announces-live-tour-us-canada/story?id=10073505 |first=Sheila|last=Marikar|date=March 11, 2010|title=Conan O'Brien Announces Live Tour Across U.S., Canada |work=[[ABC News]]|publisher=Abcnews.go.com |accessdate=February 26, 2011}}</ref> On the same day, [http://teamcoco.com teamcoco.com], an official website, was launched.<ref name="mashable031110">{{cite web |url=http://mashable.com/2010/03/11/teamcoco/ |title=Conan Launches TeamCoco.com to Promote 30-City Comedy Tour|date=March 11, 2010|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> According to [[TMZ.com|TMZ]], O'Brien decided not to keep any of the proceeds from the tour, in order to employ his show's staff members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tmz.com/2010/03/11/conan-obrien-tour-tonight-show-team-coco-nbc/ |title=Conan's Tour&nbsp;— No Bread for the Redhead |publisher=TMZ.com |accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref>
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.<ref name=announce>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/conan-obrien-announces-live-tour-us-canada/story?id=10073505 |first=Sheila|last=Marikar|date=March 11, 2010|title=Conan O'Brien Announces Live Tour Across U.S., Canada |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|publisher=Abcnews.go.com |access-date=February 26, 2011}}</ref> On the same day, [http://teamcoco.com teamcoco.com], an official website, was launched.<ref name="mashable031110">{{cite web |url=http://mashable.com/2010/03/11/teamcoco/ |title=Conan Launches TeamCoco.com to Promote 30-City Comedy Tour|website=[[Mashable]] |date=March 11, 2010|access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref> According to [[TMZ.com|TMZ]], O'Brien decided not to keep any of the proceeds from the tour, in order to employ his show's staff members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tmz.com/2010/03/11/conan-obrien-tour-tonight-show-team-coco-nbc/ |title=Conan's Tour&nbsp;— No Bread for the Redhead |publisher=TMZ.com |access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref>


==Format==
==Format==
[[File:Conan Legally Prohibited San Diego.jpg|right|thumb|200px|O'Brien performing in a replica of the costume [[Eddie Murphy]] wore in ''[[Eddie Murphy Raw]]''.|alt=A man in a purple leather suit holds a microphone, standing in front of a large screen.]]
[[File:Conan Legally Prohibited San Diego.jpg|right|thumb|200px|O'Brien performing in a replica of the costume [[Eddie Murphy]] wore in ''[[Eddie Murphy Raw]]''.|alt=A man in a purple leather suit holds a microphone, standing in front of a large screen.]]
Several members of O'Brien's staff joined him for the tour, including sidekick [[Andy Richter]], and the former [[Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band|Tonight Show Band]], temporarily renamed "The Legally Prohibited Band".<ref name=tulsa>{{cite news|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=371&articleid=20100515_371_0_ConanO245509 |title=Conan a laugh riot at the packed Brady |newspaper=[[Tulsa World]] |date=May 15, 2010 |accessdate=February 29, 2012}}</ref> [[Max Weinberg]], the band leader, was unable to participate in the tour due to his recent heart surgery,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cleveland.com/people/index.ssf/2010/10/max_weinberg_reveals_he_had_op.html | title=Max Weinberg reveals he had open-heart surgery; Hollywood actors, then and now; and more|first=Melodie|last=Smith| newspaper=[[Cleveland Plain Dealer]] | date=October 8, 2010|accessdate=February 29, 2012}}</ref> although he did appear at one of the New York City shows.<ref name="radiocity" />
Several members of O'Brien's staff joined him for the tour, including sidekick [[Andy Richter]], and the former [[Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band|Tonight Show Band]], temporarily renamed "The Legally Prohibited Band".<ref name=tulsa>{{cite news|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=371&articleid=20100515_371_0_ConanO245509 |title=Conan a laugh riot at the packed Brady |newspaper=[[Tulsa World]] |date=May 15, 2010 |access-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref> [[Max Weinberg]], the band leader, was unable to participate in the tour due to his recent heart surgery,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cleveland.com/people/index.ssf/2010/10/max_weinberg_reveals_he_had_op.html | title=Max Weinberg reveals he had open-heart surgery; Hollywood actors, then and now; and more|first=Melodie|last=Smith| newspaper=[[Cleveland Plain Dealer]] | date=October 8, 2010|access-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref> although he did appear at one of the New York City shows.<ref name="radiocity" />


Signs at each venue encouraged audience members using Twitter during the show to use a unique [[hashtag]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socialfresh.com/conan-obrien-social-media/ |title=Conan O'Brien Hearts Social Media |publisher=Socialfresh.com |date=August 26, 2010 |accessdate=February 29, 2012}}</ref> [[Reggie Watts]] served as the tour's [[opening act]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Elber |first=Lynn |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9F275PG1.htm |title=A high-energy O'Brien opens nationwide comedy tour |work=BusinessWeek |date=April 13, 2010 |accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/conan-obrien-performs-tbs-tnt-23809 |title=Conan O'Brien performs at TBS, TNT upfront |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 19, 2010|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref>
Signs at each venue encouraged audience members using Twitter during the show to use a unique [[hashtag]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socialfresh.com/conan-obrien-social-media/ |title=Conan O'Brien Hearts Social Media |publisher=Socialfresh.com |date=August 26, 2010 |access-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref> [[Reggie Watts]] served as the tour's [[opening act]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Elber |first=Lynn |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9F275PG1.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230455/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9F275PG1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |title=A high-energy O'Brien opens nationwide comedy tour |work=BusinessWeek |date=April 13, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/conan-obrien-performs-tbs-tnt-23809 |title=Conan O'Brien performs at TBS, TNT upfront |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 19, 2010|access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ditzian |first=Eric |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635997/20100413/story.jhtml |title=Conan O'Brien's Live Tour: The Reviews Are In! – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=April 13, 2010 |accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> Also, the "''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]'' lever" was retitled the "[[Chuck Norris]] Rural Policeman Handle".<ref>{{cite news|last=Crisp |first=Scott |url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/events/Dallas-Is-With-CoCo-93787519.html |title=Dallas Is With CoCo |work=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |publisher=Nbcdfw.com |accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> [[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]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Markstrom |first=Serena |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635966/conan-obriens-tour-opener-special-guests-jabs-at-nbc.jhtml |title=Conan O'Brien's Tour Opener: Special Guests, Jabs At NBC&nbsp;— Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=April 13, 2010 |accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> 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 (Willie Nelson song)|On the Road Again]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2011587045_apustvconanstour.html|title=A high-energy O'Brien opens nationwide comedy tour |first=Lynn|last=Elber|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=[[the Seattle Times]]|date=April 12, 2010|accessdate=February 29, 2012|publisher=Rolling Stone}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ditzian |first=Eric |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635997/20100413/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416152723/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635997/20100413/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 16, 2010 |title=Conan O'Brien's Live Tour: The Reviews Are In! – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=April 13, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref> Also, the "''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]'' lever" was retitled the "[[Chuck Norris]] Rural Policeman Handle".<ref>{{cite news|last=Crisp |first=Scott |url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/events/Dallas-Is-With-CoCo-93787519.html |title=Dallas Is With CoCo |work=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |publisher=Nbcdfw.com |access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref> [[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]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Markstrom |first=Serena |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635966/conan-obriens-tour-opener-special-guests-jabs-at-nbc.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805203235/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635966/conan-obriens-tour-opener-special-guests-jabs-at-nbc.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |title=Conan O'Brien's Tour Opener: Special Guests, Jabs At NBC&nbsp;— Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=April 13, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref> 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 (Willie Nelson song)|On the Road Again]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2011587045_apustvconanstour.html|title=A high-energy O'Brien opens nationwide comedy tour |first=Lynn|last=Elber|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=[[the Seattle Times]]|date=April 12, 2010|access-date=February 29, 2012|publisher=Rolling Stone}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


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==Special guests==
==Special guests==
{{col-begin}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Spoon (band)|Spoon]] <small>(Eugene)</small><ref name="eugene">{{cite web|last=Brown |first=Lane |url=https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/04/conans_first_tour_stop_self-pl.html |title=Conan's First Tour Stop: Triumph, Self-Pleasuring Pandas, and Spoon&nbsp;— Vulture |publisher=Nymag.com |date=April 13, 2010 |access-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
{{col-3}}
*[[Spoon (band)|Spoon]] <small>(Eugene)</small><ref name="eugene">{{cite web|last=Brown |first=Lane |url=https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/04/conans_first_tour_stop_self-pl.html |title=Conan's First Tour Stop: Triumph, Self-Pleasuring Pandas, and Spoon&nbsp;— Vulture |publisher=Nymag.com |date=April 13, 2010 |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Jack McBrayer]] <small>(Eugene, Los Angeles, Atlanta)</small><ref name="eugene"/>
*[[Jack McBrayer]] <small>(Eugene, Los Angeles, Atlanta)</small><ref name="eugene"/>
*[[Seth Rogen]] <small>(Vancouver&mdash;April 14)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/goodbye-vancouver/ |title=Goodbye, Vancouver... |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=April 14, 2010 |accessdate=May 6, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Seth Rogen]] <small>(Vancouver&mdash;April 14)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/goodbye-vancouver/ |title=Goodbye, Vancouver... |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=May 6, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Dave Matthews]] <small>(Seattle&mdash;April 18)</small><ref>{{cite news|last=Brodeur |first=Nicole |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2011645720_conan20.html?prmid=carousel_feat |title=Music & nightlife &#124; Seattle says 'Happy birthday, Conan O'Brien' at McCaw Hall, April 18 |newspaper=[[Seattle Times]] |date=April 19, 2010|accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Dave Matthews]] <small>(Seattle&mdash;April 18)</small><ref>{{cite news|last=Brodeur |first=Nicole |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2011645720_conan20.html?prmid=carousel_feat |title=Music & nightlife &#124; Seattle says 'Happy birthday, Conan O'Brien' at McCaw Hall, April 18 |newspaper=[[Seattle Times]] |date=April 19, 2010|access-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Eddie Vedder]] <small>(Seattle&mdash;April 19)</small><ref name="seattle">{{cite news|last=Letkemann |first=Jessica |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pearljam-idUSTRE63K01920100421 |title=Pearl Jam duo joins Conan O'Brien on stage |agency=Reuters |date=April 21, 2010 |accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Eddie Vedder]] <small>(Seattle&mdash;April 19)</small><ref name="seattle">{{cite news|last=Letkemann |first=Jessica |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pearljam-idUSTRE63K01920100421 |title=Pearl Jam duo joins Conan O'Brien on stage |work=Reuters |date=April 21, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Mike McCready]] <small>(Seattle&mdash;April 19)</small><ref name="seattle"/>
*[[Mike McCready]] <small>(Seattle&mdash;April 19)</small><ref name="seattle"/>
*[[Chris Isaak]] <small>(San Francisco)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/san-francisco-conan-win/ |title=San Francisco + Conan = Win |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=April 22, 2010 |accessdate=May 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/i-left-my-fart-in-san-francisco-sorry-but-it-makes-me-laugh-every-time-i-say-it/ |title=I Left My FART In San Francisco (sorry, but it makes me laugh every time I say it) |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=April 23, 2010 |accessdate=May 6, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Chris Isaak]] <small>(San Francisco)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/san-francisco-conan-win/ |title=San Francisco + Conan = Win |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=April 22, 2010 |access-date=May 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/i-left-my-fart-in-san-francisco-sorry-but-it-makes-me-laugh-every-time-i-say-it/ |title=I Left My FART In San Francisco (sorry, but it makes me laugh every time I say it) |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=April 23, 2010 |access-date=May 6, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Jim Carrey]] <small>(Los Angeles)</small><ref name="la1">{{cite web|last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url=https://www.deadline.com/2010/04/coanan-back-at-nbc-universal-for-two-nights-bad-ideas-are-being-greenlit-here/ |title=Conan Back at NBC Universal (For Two Nights): "Bad Ideas Are Being Greenlit" Here |work=Deadline.com |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Jim Carrey]] <small>(Los Angeles)</small><ref name="la1">{{cite web|last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url=https://www.deadline.com/2010/04/coanan-back-at-nbc-universal-for-two-nights-bad-ideas-are-being-greenlit-here/ |title=Conan Back at NBC Universal (For Two Nights): "Bad Ideas Are Being Greenlit" Here |work=Deadline.com |date=April 25, 2010 |access-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Aziz Ansari]] <small>(Los Angeles)</small><ref name="la1"/>
*[[Aziz Ansari]] <small>(Los Angeles)</small><ref name="la1"/>
*[[Jonah Hill]] <small>(Los Angeles)</small><ref name="la1"/>
*[[Jonah Hill]] <small>(Los Angeles)</small><ref name="la1"/>
*[[Jon Hamm]] <small>(Los Angeles&mdash;April 24)</small><ref name="la1"/>
*[[Jon Hamm]] <small>(Los Angeles&mdash;April 24)</small><ref name="la1"/>
*[[Seth Green]] <small>(Los Angeles&mdash;April 25)</small>
*[[Seth Green]] <small>(Los Angeles&mdash;April 25)</small>
*[[Sarah Silverman]] <small>(Los Angeles&mdash;April 25)</small><ref>{{cite news |url=http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/conan-obrien-confirms-hes-not-moving-back-to-ny-1548975.story |title=Conan O'Brien Confirms He's Not Moving Back to NY |work=Wonderwall |publisher=Wonderwall.msn.com |date=April 25, 2010 |accessdate=February 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719233439/http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/conan-obrien-confirms-hes-not-moving-back-to-ny-1548975.story |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Sarah Silverman]] <small>(Los Angeles&mdash;April 25)</small><ref>{{cite news |url=http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/conan-obrien-confirms-hes-not-moving-back-to-ny-1548975.story |title=Conan O'Brien Confirms He's Not Moving Back to NY |work=Wonderwall |publisher=Wonderwall.msn.com |date=April 25, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719233439/http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/conan-obrien-confirms-hes-not-moving-back-to-ny-1548975.story |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Jason Mraz]] <small>(San Diego)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/san-diego-more-like-san-diegwhoa/ |title=San Diego? More Like San DiegWHOA! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=April 30, 2010 |accessdate=May 5, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Jason Mraz]] <small>(San Diego)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/san-diego-more-like-san-diegwhoa/ |title=San Diego? More Like San DiegWHOA! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=April 30, 2010 |access-date=May 5, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Mike Tyson]] <small>(Las Vegas&mdash;May 2)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/03/cult-conan-obrien-takes-over-pearl-palms/ |title=The cult of Conan O'Brien takes over Pearl in the Palms |publisher=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |date=May 3, 2010|access-date=May 5, 2010}}</ref>
{{col-3}}
*[[Mike Tyson]] <small>(Las Vegas&mdash;May 2)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/03/cult-conan-obrien-takes-over-pearl-palms/ |title=The cult of Conan O’Brien takes over Pearl in the Palms |publisher=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |date=May 3, 2010|accessdate=May 5, 2010}}</ref>
*[[The Fray]] <small>(Denver)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/beyond-cocodome/ |title=Beyond Cocodome! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=May 11, 2010}}</ref>
*[[The Fray]] <small>(Denver)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/beyond-cocodome/ |title=Beyond Cocodome! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 10, 2010 |accessdate=May 11, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Jimmie Vaughan]] <small>(Dallas)</small><ref name="dallas">{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/we-kicked-some-serious-dallass-tonight-yall/ |title=We Kicked Some Serious DallASS Tonight, Y'all! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 13, 2010 |access-date=May 13, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Jimmie Vaughan]] <small>(Dallas)</small><ref name="dallas">{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/we-kicked-some-serious-dallass-tonight-yall/ |title=We Kicked Some Serious DallASS Tonight, Y'all! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 13, 2010 |accessdate=May 13, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Dirk Nowitzki]] <small>(Dallas)</small><ref name="dallas"/>
*[[Dirk Nowitzki]] <small>(Dallas)</small><ref name="dallas"/>
*[[Charlie Sexton]] <small>(Austin)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/putting-the-awe-in-austin/ |title=Putting the "Awe" in "Austin"! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 14, 2010|accessdate=May 14, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Charlie Sexton]] <small>(Austin)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/putting-the-awe-in-austin/ |title=Putting the "Awe" in "Austin"! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 14, 2010|access-date=May 14, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Hanson (band)|Hanson]] <small>(Tulsa)</small><ref name=tulsa/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/usa-usa-usa-usa/ |title=USA! USA! USA! USA! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 15, 2010 |accessdate=May 15, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Hanson (band)|Hanson]] <small>(Tulsa)</small><ref name=tulsa/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/usa-usa-usa-usa/ |title=USA! USA! USA! USA! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 15, 2010 |access-date=May 15, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Jason Sudeikis]] <small>(Kansas City)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/kansas-city-video-madness/ |title=Kansas City Video Madness! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 16, 2010 |accessdate=May 16, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Jason Sudeikis]] <small>(Kansas City)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/kansas-city-video-madness/ |title=Kansas City Video Madness! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 16, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Brian Setzer]] <small>(Minneapolis)</small><ref>{{cite web|last=Justin |first=Neal |url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/94217624.html |title=Review: Conan O'Brien keeps it far from routine |publisher=[[Minneapolis Star-Tribune]]|date=May 19, 2010|accessdate=May 19, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Brian Setzer]] <small>(Minneapolis)</small><ref>{{cite web|last=Justin |first=Neal |url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/94217624.html |title=Review: Conan O'Brien keeps it far from routine |publisher=[[Minneapolis Star-Tribune]]|date=May 19, 2010|access-date=May 19, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Brian Urlacher]] <small>(Chicago&mdash;May 19)</small><ref name="chi1">{{cite news|last=Johnson |first=Steve |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-live-0520-conan-review-20100520,0,1324488.column |title=Chi-coco Cuckoo for Coco |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=May 20, 2010 |accessdate=May 20, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Brian Urlacher]] <small>(Chicago&mdash;May 19)</small><ref name="chi1">{{cite news|last=Johnson |first=Steve |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-live-0520-conan-review-20100520,0,1324488.column |title=Chi-coco Cuckoo for Coco |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=May 20, 2010 |access-date=May 20, 2010}}</ref>
*[[John C. Reilly]] <small>(Chicago&mdash;May 19)</small><ref name="chi1"/>
*[[John C. Reilly]] <small>(Chicago&mdash;May 19)</small><ref name="chi1"/>
*[[Lil' Ed Williams]] <small>(Chicago&mdash;May 20)</small><ref name="chi2">{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/bye-bye-windy-city/ |title=Bye Bye Windy City! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 20, 2010 |accessdate=May 21, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Lil' Ed Williams]] <small>(Chicago&mdash;May 20)</small><ref name="chi2">{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/bye-bye-windy-city/ |title=Bye Bye Windy City! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 20, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Tim Meadows]] <small>(Chicago&mdash;May 20)</small><ref name="chi2"/>
*[[Tim Meadows]] <small>(Chicago&mdash;May 20)</small><ref name="chi2"/>
*Sarah Killen <small>(East Lansing)</small><ref name="elansing">{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/this-is-spartaaaaaa-okay-east-lansing-but-still/ |title=THIS IS SPARTAAAAAA!!! (Okay, East Lansing. But Still) |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 21, 2010 |accessdate=May 22, 2010}}</ref>
*Sarah Killen <small>(East Lansing)</small><ref name="elansing">{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/this-is-spartaaaaaa-okay-east-lansing-but-still/ |title=THIS IS SPARTAAAAAA!!! (Okay, East Lansing. But Still) |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=May 21, 2010 |access-date=May 22, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Kid Rock]] <small>(East Lansing)</small><ref name="elansing"/>
*[[Kid Rock]] <small>(East Lansing)</small><ref name="elansing"/>
*[[John Krasinski]] <small>(New York City)</small><ref name="nyc1">{{cite web |url=http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2010/06/conan-versus-colbert |title=Conan Versus Colbert |publisher=Warming Glow |date=June 2, 2010 |accessdate=June 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605012620/http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2010/06/conan-versus-colbert |archive-date=June 5, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[John Krasinski]] <small>(New York City)</small><ref name="nyc1">{{cite web |url=http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2010/06/conan-versus-colbert |title=Conan Versus Colbert |publisher=Warming Glow |date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=June 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605012620/http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2010/06/conan-versus-colbert |archive-date=June 5, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{col-3}}
*[[Stephen Colbert]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 1)</small><ref name="nyc1"/>
*[[Stephen Colbert]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 1)</small><ref name="nyc1"/>
*[[Jon Stewart]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 1)</small><ref name="nyc1"/>
*[[Jon Stewart]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 1)</small><ref name="nyc1"/>
Line 80: Line 77:
*[[Bill Hader]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 1)</small><ref name="nyc1"/>
*[[Bill Hader]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 1)</small><ref name="nyc1"/>
*[[Vampire Weekend]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 1)</small><ref name="nyc1"/>
*[[Vampire Weekend]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 1)</small><ref name="nyc1"/>
*[[Max Weinberg]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 2)</small><ref name="radiocity">{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/thank-you-radio-city/ |title=Thank You Radio City!! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=June 2, 2010 |accessdate=June 3, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Max Weinberg]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 2)</small><ref name="radiocity">{{cite web |last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://teamcoco.com/blog/thank-you-radio-city/ |title=Thank You Radio City!! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website |publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=June 3, 2010 |archive-date=June 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607032753/http://teamcoco.com/blog/thank-you-radio-city |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Pee-wee Herman]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 2)</small><ref name="radiocity"/>
*[[Pee-wee Herman]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 2)</small><ref name="radiocity"/>
*[[Eli Manning]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 2)</small><ref name="radiocity"/>
*[[Eli Manning]] <small>(New York City&mdash;June 2)</small><ref name="radiocity"/>
*[[Dropkick Murphys]] <small>(Boston)</small><ref>{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/so-long-beantown/ |title=So Long, Beantown. |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=June 5, 2010|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Dropkick Murphys]] <small>(Boston)</small><ref>{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/so-long-beantown/ |title=So Long, Beantown. |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=June 5, 2010|access-date=June 6, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Ed Helms]] <small>(Boston&mdash;June 4)</small><ref>{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/hometown-hero/ |title=Hometown Hero! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=June 4, 2010 |accessdate=June 5, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Ed Helms]] <small>(Boston&mdash;June 4)</small><ref>{{cite web|last=Bleyaert |first=Aaron |url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/hometown-hero/ |title=Hometown Hero! |work=Conan O'Brien Presents: Team Coco Website|publisher=Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network/Team Coco Digital LLC. |date=June 4, 2010 |access-date=June 5, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Tina Fey]] <small>(Upper Darby)</small><ref name="darby">{{cite news|url=http://www.philly2philly.com/entertainment/entertainment_articles/2010/6/12/24340/conan_obrien_triumphs_tower_theatre |title=Conan O'Brien Triumphs at Tower Theatre|first=Diane|last=Cooney |publisher=Philly2Philly |date=June 12, 2010 |accessdate=February 29, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Tina Fey]] <small>(Upper Darby)</small><ref name="darby">{{cite news|url=http://www.philly2philly.com/entertainment/entertainment_articles/2010/6/12/24340/conan_obrien_triumphs_tower_theatre |title=Conan O'Brien Triumphs at Tower Theatre|first=Diane|last=Cooney |publisher=Philly2Philly |date=June 12, 2010 |access-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Trey Anastasio]] <small>(Upper Darby)</small><ref name="darby"/>
*[[Trey Anastasio]] <small>(Upper Darby)</small><ref name="darby"/>
*[[Jack White (musician)|Jack White]] <small>(Nashville)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641315/conan-obrien-jams-with-jack-white-at-small-show-nashville.jhtml|title=Conan O'Brien Jams With Jack White In Nashville: Comedian covers Radiohead, White Stripes during intimate concert|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|work=[[MTV.com]]|date=June 11, 2010|accessdate=December 12, 2011}}</ref>
*[[Jack White (musician)|Jack White]] <small>(Nashville)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641315/conan-obrien-jams-with-jack-white-at-small-show-nashville.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129153453/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641315/conan-obrien-jams-with-jack-white-at-small-show-nashville.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2013|title=Conan O'Brien Jams With Jack White In Nashville: Comedian covers Radiohead, White Stripes during intimate concert|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|work=[[MTV.com]]|date=June 11, 2010|access-date=December 12, 2011}}</ref>
*[[Evander Holyfield]] <small>(Atlanta)</small><ref>{{cite web |last=Ho |first=Rodney |url=http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2010/06/15/conan-obrien-gives-atlanta-much-love/ |title=Conan O’Brien gives Atlanta much love |publisher=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |date=June 15, 2010 |accessdate=June 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617095255/http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2010/06/15/conan-obrien-gives-atlanta-much-love/ |archive-date=June 17, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Evander Holyfield]] <small>(Atlanta)</small><ref>{{cite web |last=Ho |first=Rodney |url=http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2010/06/15/conan-obrien-gives-atlanta-much-love/ |title=Conan O'Brien gives Atlanta much love |publisher=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=June 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617095255/http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2010/06/15/conan-obrien-gives-atlanta-much-love/ |archive-date=June 17, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{col-end}}
{{div col end}}


==Tour dates==
==Tour dates==
Line 103: Line 100:
! style="width:250px;"|Venue
! style="width:250px;"|Venue
|-
|-
! colspan="6" |North America<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemusicblog.com/2010/03/12/tour-dates-the-legally-prohibited-from-being-funny-on-television-tour/|title=Tour Dates: The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour|work=Live Music Blog|date=March 12, 2010|first=Justin|last=Ward|accessdate=April 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ouab.osu.edu/view_event.aspx?id=590 |title=Conan O'Brien: The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour |publisher=Ouab.osu.edu |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
! colspan="6" |North America<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemusicblog.com/2010/03/12/tour-dates-the-legally-prohibited-from-being-funny-on-television-tour/|title=Tour Dates: The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour|work=Live Music Blog|date=March 12, 2010|first=Justin|last=Ward|access-date=April 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ouab.osu.edu/view_event.aspx?id=590 |title=Conan O'Brien: The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour |publisher=Ouab.osu.edu |access-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
|-
|-
|April 12, 2010
|April 12, 2010
Line 141: Line 138:
|-
|-
|April 24, 2010
|April 24, 2010
|rowspan="2"|Los Angeles
|rowspan="2"|[[Universal City, California|Universal City]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Gibson Amphitheatre]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Gibson Amphitheatre]]
|-
|-
Line 155: Line 152:
|-
|-
|May 1, 2010
|May 1, 2010
|rowspan="2"|[[Las Vegas]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Pearl Concert Theater]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Pearl Concert Theater]]
|-
|-
Line 181: Line 178:
|-
|-
|May 13, 2010
|May 13, 2010
|[[University Park, Texas|University Park]]
|[[Dallas]]
|[[McFarlin Memorial Auditorium]]
|[[McFarlin Memorial Auditorium]]
|-
|-
Line 241: Line 238:
|-
|-
|June 7, 2010
|June 7, 2010
|[[Upper Darby Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Upper Darby]]
|[[Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Darby Township]]
|[[Tower Theater (Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania)|Tower Theater]]
|[[Tower Theater (Pennsylvania)|Tower Theater]]
|-
|-
|June 8, 2010
|June 8, 2010
|Washington, D.C.
|[[Washington, D.C.]]
|[[DAR Constitution Hall]]
|[[DAR Constitution Hall]]
|-
|-
Line 352: Line 349:


==Response==
==Response==
Just hours before the first show of the tour, O'Brien announced that he would host a new show on cable station [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]], titled ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'', which debuted in November 2010.<ref name="foxnewstbs" /><ref name="conantbs">{{cite news|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/how-the-conan-obrien-tbs-deal-happened/?src=busln|first=Bill |last=Carter|title=How the Conan O’Brien-TBS Deal Happened|date=April 12, 2010|accessdate=April 12, 2010|work=The New York Times}}</ref> 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.<ref name="tbsspecial">{{cite web |url=http://news.turner.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5177 |title=Andy Richter and Conan O’Brien Writers Team Up for One-Hour TBS Special |publisher=Turner Newsroom |date=May 26, 2010 |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref>
Just hours before the first show of the tour, O'Brien announced that he would host a new show on cable station [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]], titled ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'', which debuted in November 2010.<ref name="foxnewstbs" /><ref name="conantbs">{{cite news|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/how-the-conan-obrien-tbs-deal-happened/?src=busln|first=Bill |last=Carter|title=How the Conan O'Brien-TBS Deal Happened|date=April 12, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2010|work=The New York Times}}</ref> 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.<ref name="tbsspecial">{{cite web |url=http://news.turner.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5177 |title=Andy Richter and Conan O'Brien Writers Team Up for One-Hour TBS Special |publisher=Turner Newsroom |date=May 26, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>


Even with ticket prices starting at $40, The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour sold out.<ref name="foxnewstbs">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/04/12/conan-obrien-debut-new-late-night-tbs/|title=Conan O'Brien to Debut New Late-Night Show on TBS|date=April 12, 2010|agency=Associated Press|publisher=FOX News|accessdate=April 12, 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref name="cocotube">{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2010/04/14/conan-comedy-tour-vids/|author=Brenna Ehrlich|title=Conan Comedy Tour Clips Hit YouTube [VIDEOS]|date=April 14, 2010|accessdate=April 15, 2010|publisher=[[Mashable]]}}</ref>
With ticket prices starting at $40, The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour sold out.<ref name="foxnewstbs">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/04/12/conan-obrien-debut-new-late-night-tbs/|title=Conan O'Brien to Debut New Late-Night Show on TBS|date=April 12, 2010|agency=Associated Press|publisher=FOX News|access-date=April 12, 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref name="cocotube">{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2010/04/14/conan-comedy-tour-vids/|author=Brenna Ehrlich|title=Conan Comedy Tour Clips Hit YouTube [VIDEOS]|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=April 15, 2010|publisher=[[Mashable]]}}</ref>


''[[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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/movies/conan-obrien-cant-stop-documentary-by-rodman-flender.html|title=Conan in the Wilderness|first=Dave|last=Itzkoff|date=March 10, 2011|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=April |last=Castro |agency=Associated Press |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=13128090 |title=O'Brien Attends Premiere of Post-Tonight Show Doc |work=ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=March 13, 2011 |accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref>
''[[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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/movies/conan-obrien-cant-stop-documentary-by-rodman-flender.html|title=Conan in the Wilderness|first=Dave|last=Itzkoff|work=The New York Times |date=March 10, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=April |last=Castro |agency=Associated Press |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=13128090 |title=O'Brien Attends Premiere of Post-Tonight Show Doc |work=ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=March 13, 2011 |access-date=February 28, 2012}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
:{{note label|a|a}} Sarah Killen was chosen at random to be O'Brien's one follow on Twitter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/tweeted_like_queen_by_conan_DPQBPCfQsqwCTk6UFIeJqL|title='Tweeted' like queen by Conan|first=Jeane|last=MacIntosh|date=March 9, 2010|accessdate=April 1, 2012|newspaper=[[New York Post]]}}</ref>
:{{note label|a|a}} Sarah Killen was chosen at random to be O'Brien's one follow on Twitter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/tweeted_like_queen_by_conan_DPQBPCfQsqwCTk6UFIeJqL|title='Tweeted' like queen by Conan|first=Jeane|last=MacIntosh|date=March 9, 2010|access-date=April 1, 2012|newspaper=[[New York Post]]}}</ref>
:{{note label|b|b}} O'Brien performed two shows at the Borgata on May 30, 2010.
:{{note label|b|b}} O'Brien performed two shows at the Borgata on May 30, 2010.


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour}}
[[Category:2010 in American television]]
[[Category:2010 in American television]]
[[Category:2010 in Canadian television]]
[[Category:2010 in theatre]]
[[Category:2010 in theatre]]
[[Category:2010 Tonight Show conflict]]
[[Category:2010 Tonight Show conflict]]

Revision as of 00:39, 4 July 2024

Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour
Comedy tour by Conan O'Brien
A caricature of Conan O'Brien in black and white, except for orange hair, with the word "Conan" in white at the top and the words "The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour" in orange at the bottom, with the logo for American Express
Official tour poster, based on Mike Mitchell's "I'm with Coco" poster
Start dateApril 12, 2010
End dateJune 14, 2010
No. of shows43 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

A gathering crowd where some people wear orange and hold signs that say "I'm With Coco".
O'Brien's supporters rally outside Universal Studios in Los Angeles

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

A man in a purple leather suit holds a microphone, standing in front of a large screen.
O'Brien performing in a replica of the costume Eddie Murphy wore in Eddie Murphy Raw.

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.[20]

Signs at each venue encouraged audience members using Twitter during the show to use a unique hashtag.[21] Reggie Watts served as the tour's opening act.[22] 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.[23]

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.[24] Also, the "Walker, Texas Ranger lever" was retitled the "Chuck Norris Rural Policeman Handle".[25] 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.[26] 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".[27]

Opening act

Special guests

Tour dates

A man in a white jacket and blue shirt plays a white guitar.
O'Brien performing a cover of "I Will Survive" on his first day of the tour in Eugene, Oregon.
The marquee in front of a theatre, advertising that night's performance.
Marquee at the Chicago Theatre
The stage of a concert hall with blue flood lights.
Stage from the show of April 24 at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California
A sign indicating which Twitter hashtag to use when tweeting about the performance.
Hashtag from the show of April 24
Date City Country Venue
North America[54][55]
April 12, 2010 Eugene United States Silva Concert Hall
April 13, 2010 Vancouver Canada Orpheum Theatre
April 14, 2010
April 16, 2010 Spokane United States INB Performing Arts Center
April 17, 2010 Edmonton Canada The Venue at River Cree Casino
April 18, 2010 Seattle United States McCaw Hall
April 19, 2010
April 22, 2010 San Francisco Nob Hill Masonic Center
April 23, 2010
April 24, 2010 Universal City Gibson Amphitheatre
April 25, 2010
April 29, 2010 San Diego San Diego Civic Theatre
April 30, 2010 Phoenix Dodge Theatre
May 1, 2010 Paradise Pearl Concert Theater
May 2, 2010
May 4, 2010 Reno Grand Theatre
May 5, 2010 San Jose Event Center Arena
May 6, 2010 Sacramento Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
May 9, 2010 Boulder Macky Auditorium
May 10, 2010 Denver Ellie Caulkins Opera House
May 13, 2010 University Park McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
May 14, 2010 Austin Austin Music Hall
May 15, 2010 Tulsa Brady Theater
May 16, 2010 Kansas City Midland Theatre
May 18, 2010 Minneapolis Orpheum Theatre
May 19, 2010 Chicago Chicago Theatre
May 20, 2010
May 21, 2010 East Lansing Breslin Student Events Center
May 22, 2010 Toronto Canada Massey Hall
May 24, 2010 Columbus United States Value City Arena
May 30, 2010 Atlantic City Borgata Event Center
June 1, 2010 New York City Radio City Music Hall
June 2, 2010
June 4, 2010 Boston Wang Theatre
June 5, 2010
June 6, 2010 Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena
June 7, 2010 Upper Darby Township Tower Theater
June 8, 2010 Washington, D.C. DAR Constitution Hall
June 10, 2010 Nashville Third Man Records
June 11, 2010[A] Manchester Comedy Theatre
June 12, 2010[A]
June 14, 2010 Atlanta Fox Theatre
Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

[A]This show is a part of the "Bonnaroo Music Festival"[56]

Box office score data

Venue City Tickets sold / available Gross revenue
McCaw Hall Seattle 5,782 / 5,782 (100%) $328,770[57]
Nob Hill Masonic Center San Francisco 6,003 / 6,003 (100%) $362,103[58]
Gibson Amphitheatre Los Angeles 11,876 / 11,966 (99%) $685,543[58]
Dodge Theatre Phoenix 4,923 / 4,923 (100%) $270,346[59]
Grand Theatre Reno 1,830 / 1,830 (100%) $104,695[60]
Event Center Arena San Jose 4,531 / 4,531 (100%) $267,495[58]
McFarlin Memorial Auditorium Dallas 2,422 / 2,422 (100%) $145,880[60]
The Midland by AMC Kansas City 2,248 / 2,248 (100%) $127,396[61]
Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis 2,515 / 2,515 (100%) $152,160[62]
Chicago Theatre Chicago 6,912 / 6,912 (100%) $364,468[63]
Radio City Music Hall New York City 11,876 / 11,876 (100%) $871,641[60]
Wang Theatre Boston 7,084 / 7,122 (99%) $456,632[64]
Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, Connecticut 5,276 / 6,020 (88%) $323,540[65]
Fox Theatre Atlanta 4,533 / 4,533 (100%) $280,460[61]
TOTAL 77,811 / 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][67] 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.[68]

With ticket prices starting at $40, The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour sold out.[66] 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

a Sarah Killen was chosen at random to be O'Brien's one follow on Twitter.[72]
b O'Brien performed two shows at the Borgata on May 30, 2010.

References

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