Late Night Evolves as Colbert Remains Essential

Conan O’Brien salutes peers at the TV Academy Hall of Fame while noting industry change and praising Stephen Colbert’s enduring role.

Late Night Evolves While Colbert Remains Essential

At the Television Academy Hall of Fame ceremony, Conan O’Brien accepted a top honor and acknowledged the moment of big change in television. He said streaming has reshaped the pipeline but the core draw remains: talent, ideas and the connection to viewers. He pointed to recent hits such as Abbott Elementary, Hacks and I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson as signs that creativity is alive across formats.

O’Brien also spoke about Stephen Colbert, saying the host will evolve and shine brighter in a new format he controls completely. He reflected on his own long run in late night and noted that while the format may shift, great stories and brave, honest performances matter most. The ceremony also spotlighted other Hall of Fame inductees, including Viola Davis, Henry Winkler, Ryan Murphy, Mike Post and Don Mischer, underscoring the mix of legacy and ongoing achievement in television.

The event frames a tug of war between nostalgia and new formats. It shows how the industry honors its legends while acknowledging that streaming and digital platforms are redefining how audiences discover and consume content. The emphasis on Colbert suggests the sector still trusts a strong, singular voice to guide late night into new territory, even as distribution changes.

The remarks by Ryan Murphy highlight another tension: as political and social issues surge in public discourse, creators feel pressure to tell stories for the disenfranchised and marginalized. That intent can energize audiences but also attract criticism in a charged climate. Taken together, the ceremony paints a picture of an industry that must balance reverence for the past with a willingness to adapt to a volatile cultural moment.

Highlights

The stage will evolve, and the spotlight will keep finding the next great voice.