NBC taps Conan O'Brien for late night: comedian/comedy writer-producer to succeed Letterman.

Broadcasting & Cable, May, 1993 by Coe, Steve

Comedian/comedy writer-producer to succeed Letterman On a top 10 list of candidates most likely to succeed David Letterman, the names of Garry Shandling, Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey and even Fox's Ben Stiller would appear. The name Conan O'Brien probably would not. When the search started several months ago to replace one of the most dynamic personalities in TV and certainly in late night, O'Brien's position on the probability list was somewhere between Norman Fell and Quincy's assistant, Sam.

Nonetheless, last week NBC turned to the comedy writer and producer with little on-camera experience to inherit the late-night mantle. "Who?" said Jon Ruby, vice president, KVOA-TV Tucson only half jokingly when asked about the announcement. "I don't know...

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