LOS ANGELES — Conan O’Brien hit his head during a stunt for the “Tonight Show” today and the production was halted, NBC said.
O’Brien was being examined today at a hospital. The network declined comment on his condition or whether he had been released.
O’Brien issued a statement through NBC that indicated he was treating the incident lightly.
“Last thing I remember I was enjoying the play with Mrs. Lincoln, and the next thing I knew I was in bed being served cookies and juice” O’Brien said in the statement.
The 46-year-old comedian took over the “Tonight” host’s job from Jay Leno in June.
O’Brien’s accident recalled a rare absence by Leno that came toward the end of his 17 years with the show, when a high fever and unspecified illness caused him to check himself into a hospital for a day.
NBC canceled two episodes of “Tonight” when that occurred in May. Leno’s new daily prime-time comedy show debuted this month.
There was no word from NBC on plans for next week’s shows.
NBC’s decision to remove the top-rated Leno from “Tonight” and replace him with O’Brien, hoping to draw a younger audience, put pressure on the new host’s shoulders.
The network’s creation of a daily prime-time series for Leno, displacing five hours of scripted shows, was another bold move.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
