Conan O'Brien delivered the laughs on Thursday night with a sketch themed around 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, but there appears to be just a small problem in terms of technicalities: the horse wasn't actually Mine That Bird. TMZ spoke with the horse's trainer, who claimed that he was preparing for the racing season in New Mexico.
Of course, what TMZ seems to miss in their expose is this: it doesn't matter if Conan is faking the sketch or not. He still was playing exclusive NFL footage, and he also still busted out "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones on Wednesday night. In other words, the guy is still putting a dent in the network's wallet. "The Tonight Show" is still about comedy first and foremost, even if he didn't "screw over" NBC by as much money as the $4.8 million he suggested. The goal was to incite laughter, and in that respect Conan succeeded thoroughly.
As for what we should expect from Friday night's grand finale, it's tough to say beyond a few more NBC jokes. Will Ferrell and Tom Hanks might take part in some stunts, and there will certainly also be a surprise guest or two. Want to know more? Then check back here Saturday morning for full coverage of Conan's grand finale.
Does it matter to you that Conan faked the Mine That Bird sketch? Let me know your thoughts with a comment below.
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Comments
bedong-o. its all a joke. not super bowl footage, it was USFL footage. he borrowed the bugatti from a museum. Probably not real mink, too. he's a comedian, not a douche-bag.
It doesn't matter to me that he faked anything, he's funny as h#ll and will be missed. I hope he comes back in September(on a better network). And due to this(conan's departure), we've stopped watching nbc altogether. After the Tonight Show finale nbc will not be viewed in our home.
Conan is a very funny guy- and these unfortuante circumstances have only made him funnier. This week has been great- and its all fun. People should know its fake- and laugh- that is what we are meant to do, he is an entertainer. If he were vindicitive pureley for vindictive sake- that would be sad not funny. He is having a great time- and I am having a great time watching him pull out all the stops. He has turned an ugly situation into some funny sketches- and the brilliance of it makes me laugh and wish he could have stuck around longer- but it is not to be.
It doesn't matter if it's real or not. The sketches aren't suppose to bankrupt the company; the sketches are just to insight comedy and laughs.
who cares hes still better then leno
I figured all those "Let's spend NBC's money" bits were hilarious even though at the time I was thinking it was most likely faked in some way. I wasn't supposed to be real. It was supposed to get a laugh. In my book, he succeeded. I look forward to watching Conan in the future, hopefully on FOX.
you do realize it's a comedy show?
It would have been incredibly irresponsible of him if the sketches had been real.
are you serious making this a 'controversy'? it was a joke. duh. (and in questionable taste - how to waste millions at a time of huge tragedy in Haiti)
from another page
<< New York-based entertainment lawyer Steve Gordon says that existing agreements between NBC and music licensing companies would allow the "Tonight Show" to play "Satisfaction" at no additional cost for a live or time-delayed performance. >>
I think the sketch was a hoot! (I'm a professional horse trainer.) Very, very funny!
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