Conan2010

It takes great skill to be so soothing, especially when herky-jerky absurdity is the basis of one’s act. Ovaltine is delicious, and O’Brien has found its ideal serving size.

Conan remains peerless at the art of mock-shtick, his mid-monologue mugging to the new set’s camera angles playing irresistibly like he’s photobombing himself. ... Even if this first foray into the half-hour format isn’t a form-busting revelation right out of the gate, it hints at the possibilities of a reenergized comic mind prodding the late-night electric fence for weaknesses.

Whatever the case, he and his show are easier to like. The hour flew by, and it seemed much looser, organic and easy-going than anything I saw last year by him on NBC.