[FormerLurker]

When "celebrity" (usually a celebrity "has-been" that is notorious for some career limiting faux pas) appears on Conan O'Brian's show it is usually a sign that their career is on the skids and they are so despirate for media exposure that the will allow O'Brian and Co. to lampoon them to their face.

That's not quite the way I see it. Conan reaches a younger crowd. Leno still targets the Johnny Carson fans, and Letterman attracts those in between...

[anymouse]

O'Brian targets a younger crowd because they are the only ones up that late at night (e.g., coming back from clubbing drunk or stoned, taking a break from a late night of studying, coming off an evening shift at the burger shack, etc.). Not exactly the opinion leaders of America. Look at the shows that run opposite O'Brian's show. Not exactly ceriberal faire.