Conan O’Brien said farewell to New York and the Peacock network’s “Late Night” show last night by handing out slices of his arena, taking pleasure in one last massage from Will Ferrell and guaranteeing aficionados he would not mature in exchange of an earlier time slot.

 

Now, the former host of “Late Night” is heading to Los Angeles, where NBC will crown him the new “Tonight” show host, thus carrying out a promise it made some five years ago. “Tonight” with Conan O’Brien at the helm is due to kick off in June.

 

Conan O’Brien’s “Late Night” show was the scene of many laughs this week, as well as of unexpected surprises, since the host brought an ax on the set of the program, which has been his television home for almost 16 years. Moreover, Conan O’Brien shattered on Tuesday the fence behind his usual desk and offered a member of the audience a keepsake.

 

During his last show, which was recorded on Friday evening and aired at approximately 12:35 a.m. ET, a construction machine was utilized so as to demolish a support of lights that was chopped offstage. Most of the final “Late Night” show with Conan O’Brien was spent broadcasting best moments and showing Andy Richter, the former host’s ex-sidekick, who left the program in 2000.

 

“We’re going on to this next gig and sometimes I read that it’s time for Conan to grow up because he’s going to 11:30,” explained the 45-year-old Conan O’Brien. “I assure you, that's just not going to happen,” he reassured his fans, adding that “this is who I am.”

 

“Late Night” is scheduled to air in reruns for a week, while ex “Saturday Night Live” staffer Jimmy Fallon will serve as the show’s new host as early as March 2. Current “Tonight” host Jay Leno is due to leave the show on May 29 and Conan O’Brien will take over the program on June 1. Jay Leno is programmed to hold a 10 p.m. show starting this fall.