‘Conan’ on TBS

Jack Nicholson has not appeared on a talk show in 39 years. Conan O’Brien has not appeared on a talk show in nine months.

But on Nov. 8, Conan will be the one thinking his time off the air has felt like ages.

Conan’s new show, premiering Monday on TBS and so aptly titled “Conan,” is Conan’s return to television and shift to cable following his historic departure from NBC and “The Tonight Show.”

But in that gap, he’s built a cult following that is enthusiastic about his TBS debut. They’ve been voting regularly on a contest to decide who Conan’s first guest will be, and Nicholson is currently leading the pack of 12 equally random, bizarre and eclectic guests. He’s followed closely by Justin Bieber, who is fresh off a riveting song debut during the World Series. Other potential guest choices include the Pope, Vladimir Putin, REO Speedwagon, Thomas Pynchon, the Sultan of Brunei and the entire cast of the 2004 live-action “Fat Albert” movie, minus Kenan Thompson, naturally.

Please take a moment to reflect on that brilliantly random group of characters.
Whoever wins the contest will join Seth Rogen, Lea Michele and musical guest — and Conan’s close personal friend — Jack White on Monday night.

They’re the kicker to a week full of stars and comedians close to Coco who will hopefully build some buzz for the new show.

Tuesday night, Tom Hanks, who also appeared on episode two of Conan’s “Tonight Show,” will be the lead to Jack McBrayer and the recently reformed Soundgarden. Wednesday features Jon Hamm, Charlyne Yi and Fistful of Mercy, and the week will close with Michael Cera, Julie Bowen and comedian Jon Dore.

“Conan,” which will air at 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, will serve as a lead-in for TBS’s other quasi-successful late night talk show “Lopez Tonight,” hosted by George Lopez. In fact, that show is even being pushed back to midnight.

But Conan has been building all sorts of buzz on www.teamcoco.com, his fansite. A costume contest to win tickets to the opening taping is currently ongoing, and there are 30 finalists of Halloween costumes that have been “Conanized” by their respected wearers.

It has likewise been announced on the site that Conan’s blimp that has been circling the East Coast will come west in time for the taping. And Conan will even bring back the Masturbating Bear following its appearance in the 24-hour Live Coco Cam stunt Conan and his staff pulled.

Sadly, Max Weinberg will not be the leader of “Conan’s” new house band, The Basic Cable Band. Instead, it will be guitarist Jimmy Vivino, formerly of The Max Weinberg 7.
The only question that remains is this: Will Conan shave his beard?