Conan O’Brien believes the future of late-night television may be uncertain, but Stephen Colbert’s career is not. While O’Brien admitted that the traditional late-night format is fading, he made it clear that Colbert’s talent and influence extend far beyond a single timeslot.

Conan O’Brien says Stephen Colbert is ‘too talented’ to go anywhere

Conan O’Brien believes that the end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won’t stop Colbert’s impact on entertainment. While accepting his Television Academy Hall of Fame honor, O’Brien spoke about the shifting state of late-night television but insisted that Colbert’s voice is “too talented and too essential to go away.”

The comedy legend, who hosted shows across nearly three decades, acknowledged that the television industry is in the middle of what he called a “seismic change.” With streaming platforms dominating and traditional TV viewership shrinking, O’Brien admitted, “Yes, late-night television, as we have known it since around 1950, is going to disappear.” (via Variety)

Still, he refused to see this as the end for hosts like Colbert. “Stephen is going to evolve and shine brighter than ever in a new format that he controls completely,” O’Brien said. He explained that while platforms may change — whether streaming services or even futuristic formats — the heart of entertainment lies in creativity, honesty, and talent.

O’Brien also said that series such as Abbott Elementary and Hacks are proof that audiences remain hungry for fresh, smart storytelling. “It’s all electrifying a new generation of viewers,” he added, noting that the pipeline may look different, but the connection between entertainers and audiences remains.

The Late Night and Conan alum joked about his own legacy, describing late-night as a service designed to keep college students entertained “until science would perfect the internet and online pornography.”

All in all, according to O’Brien, “If the stories are good, if the performances are honest and inspired, if the people making it are brave and of goodwill,” content will be consumed in any form.